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Our
adventures in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus continue....
  
Our friends Ann and Pete from New Romney in Kent arrived this evening for a couple of weeks stay. The TWI flight was as usual late in arriving, so Joan and I managed almost two hours sleep in the car park whilst waiting. Guess that means a relaxing day around the pool tomorrow so that everyone can recover from the late nigh
Took Ann & Pete into Kyrenia today for a look around the old town and a couple of beers down on the harbour. During all the years we have known them, I have always taken the mickey out of Pete because he is what you might say, follically challenged. There we were, sitting at a harbour bar and I spotted the sign for hair braiding, I made him an appointment, but when he came out he tried to hide the finished article. There just is no pleasing some people!
This evening we went up to the Tai restaurant in Lapta, which as usual was very good and reasonable. It will be a great shame when the weather changes and they have to close until next spring. This because they only have a terrace and no indoor facilities.
Today being a Sunday and still hot weather we decided on a lazy day again by the pool. Ann & Pete are seriously in to lazy days by the pool. Richard came over in the afternoon to join us and we then got out our impossible rubber ring.
This is just an inflatable rubber ring with a solid base in it, two handles to grip hold of and printed notices that says, "use only when supervised, this article has no steering and no brakes". The trick is to sit on top and stay afloat. It seems quite stupid but it is very difficult to keep your balance. Pete declared to us "easy-peasey" then with absolutely no help from either Richard or myself and a silly grin on his face, kept falling off, so much for him just going to show us how it was done.
In the evening, because the Tai restaurant had told us that they were going to do clay oven lamb, usually referred to as Kleftiko here, we all went up to enjoy their food and wine again. Michael and Barbara joined us to make a good party up. As you can see the local brandy was enjoyed in small quantities.
Another lazy day, this time on Lara beach, which is the other side of Kyrenia for us, but when Joan and I lived in Catalkoy it was one of our favourites.
This also gave me the chance to call in on Terry on the way through and collect some software that might solve my web problem.
We had promised to take Ann & Pete up to the Karpaz peninsula. We have said it many times before, but it is peaceful, beautiful and totally unspoilt up there and an ideal place when you have beach bums staying with you.
We set off in the morning around 9.30, collected my software from Terry on the way and drove on to Iskele for a coffee stop. Arriving at the Malibu for around 12 midday we were able to, dump our bags, have a beer and then drive the last bit up to Golden Beach.
We had a chicken shish lunch and then had trouble getting Pete out of having an early siesta. The beach was as crowded as usual, must have been at least 15 other people in the 3 to 4 mile stretch and the water was much warmer on this the south coast of the peninsula.
We made a special effort to leave Golden Beach in time to get back to see the sunset on Malibu Beach. Joan and I had been telling them how wonderful it always was, but there you go, the best laid plans and all that. The clouds came over just as we were driving back, so we had to content ourselves with a few G & T's before dinner. We will show them the pictures from previous visits.
Up with the lark, well almost anyway. A pre-breakfast swim is always the order of the day at the Malibu. Who can resist when its only a 20 yard walk to the waters edge.
Even Ann & Pete, never normally the early birds, were in the water before us, so it must have seemed really inviting. A nice leisurely breakfast I think then another lazy day on the beach. The beach there is always so very peaceful, this was the scene at around midday.
We finally and reluctantly left Malibu at around 4 p.m. and drove back to Lapta. Being lazy and all basically relaxed, we decided that the Sara Pizza bar was the best place to eat this evening. Right on the seafront at Lapta and all freshly cooked to taste. You have to be prepared to wait but it sure is worth it.
Now for something different. Because Joan and I have now spent a full winter over here and even though the locals tell us that the last winter was the worst for many years, we had decided to look around for an alternative heat source.
Now our open fire was wonderful and burnt lots of wood and gave out lots of heat, but, when you got up in the morning it had gone out, so then we burnt portable gas fires during the daytime and like all open fires, at least 60% of the heat is going up the chimney. Also we were conscious of the fact that we were not using all that lovely fire for basic things like water heating.
Talking to other people we knew, we heard of an ex-pat who was importing wood burning stoves, so he was invited to give us a quote. We were pleasantly surprised, because we could get a multi fuel burning stove, fitted in a fireplace. which would also give us warm water all the time it was lit.
Clearly this is the answer to the problem and in future, should we want, we can also run heating radiators off the same fire. Had we known about this, before the house was built, we could have had the fireplace built to suit and not have to incur the cost of a rebuild.
So maybe there is something in all this for you people who are considering the permanent move, learn from our mistakes.
Suddenly remembered today, that I had sometime ago, reported that I was building a Gazebo, to shelter us from the heat of the midday sun. This project came to a sort of standstill whilst we went to UK, but now is the complete article for all to see. Well almost the complete article. I still have to finish off the final weatherboard roof covering and then cover that with shingle tiles.
Now Pete, during his stay here, kept promising to help, but every time I explained to him that he had to get up at 6 a.m. to start work before it got too hot, he seemed to lose enthusiasm. Suppose I will just have to do it myself now that he has gone home.
Sad day today really. Ann & Pete go home tomorrow so it was a bit like the last supper tonight. We have had a couple of lazy days, lounging around the pool or down on the local beach. The water is warmer in the sea than it is in the pool now, so a clear sign that we are heading towards our autumn. Also it was nice to prepare meals at home, sit under the gazebo and enjoy still warm evenings.Tonight we however decided on something different. First of course a pre-dinner drink, then off to Jashan's our favourite Indian restaurant on the way up to Karaman. The food is really lovely up there and makes a change from all those kebabs etc.We had promised ourselves an early night, because we had to leave home at 7 a.m. to get to the airport, but, guess what! Yep that's right! We will just have a coffee and "small" brandy to round off the night. The excuse this time was, Frank's been driving so is entitled to a drink. Good old Pete, on the pretence of looking after me, gets himself a last few drops of the local brandy
Well we made it to the airport in plenty of time and the flight was scheduled to leave on time also, a good result for those travelling.
On the way back, Joan and I called in at the immigration offices in Nicosia. Three weeks ago, we had visited the Kyrenia Police to request renewal of our Residency Permits. These have to be renewed each year, for the first 3 full years, then in the 4th year you can apply for permanent residency. Fifteen working days after the visit to the local police you should be able to collect a new stamp in your passport and part with 215 million Turkish Lira each, for the pleasure. (That's around £100 per person/year). Seems like a lot of money, but without these legal entries in your records, then things like your car insurance etc. can be made invalid. Not really worth the hassle of ignoring the regulations, that's our opinion anyway, although clearly, many seem to just prefer to ignore the regulations. That is something that really winds Frankie up a lot. If you want to enjoy all the wonderful amenities of this island and the lifestyle of the people, then why just ignore the regulations. Seems to me, a bit like sticking a finger in the air, at the people you want to live amongst.
We have been catching up after our visitors have left, doing basic things, like getting a haircut, doing some gardening and I have been up on the roof of the Gazebo, putting up the waterproof sheeting. At least that has been the early morning job, because its still hot and sunny from around 9.30 a.m. and far too hot to be up on the roof.
Whilst Joan and I were cutting back the hedges and tying up some of the other plants, it struck us that it may be of interest to some of you to see just how quickly some of these Mediterranean gardens can grow.
When we moved in last November, all we had was a patch of bare earth with a covering of topsoil. After a lot of discussion with Ali at The Greenside Landscape Garden Centre, you will recall that we had decided to cover lots of the garden with plastic membrane and fine gravel. This to stop the prolific weed growth, then to plant fruit trees, roses, bougainvillea and a colourful lantana hedge. At the beginning of April last, after the gravel had been laid the planting started. The bougainvillea was then around one foot tall, just look at it now, a real splash of beautiful colour against the stone walling. We have five different colours around the garden and have decided now that we are going to plant more around the pool terrace this winter. The banana tree was, if I recall, around 18 inches tall, now it must be 15 feet and we are waiting to see when it starts to produce fruit. The lantana hedging was just a series of little twigs about 4 inches high and now we are into some serious cutting, to try to control it at around 4 feet high. This is providing a very colourful hedge from off the banana tree all around the north side of the garden. Joan's roses never seem to stop flowering, even at this moment she is out there dead heading and they have grown into some very nice shrubs, which she intends to control at around waist height. Don't know if she means my waist height, or her waist height, there is probably around a 1 foot difference.
So all in all, if you like your gardening, it is worth the effort of twice weekly watering and a little pruning etc. to get this constant colourful display. Now I can't wait for the fruit trees to get established, particularly the avocado, my favourite, but apparently they take a year or two to really establish themselves.
Our neighbour, Michael Smith, was 65 recently. He and his wife Barbara wanted to celebrate this event by having a Sunday lunch party at Henson's restaurant, in traditional English style, with roast beef and Yorkshire puds. It was a beautiful sunny day so we were still able to sit out and have a pre-dinner drink, then enjoy the efforts of all the staff at Henson's. Michael was presented with a big chocolate birthday cake which in true style he proceeded to cut up with exacting precision into 28 pieces. I feel sure that we all got a portion of exactly the same size, just goes to show that all those years spent playing with precision tools was good for something. On the way back to Lapta, yes that's right, we had agreed to drive, so that Michael could have just a few drinks, we called in at The Hut for a few more drinks, to continue the celebration. Dean & Edna, the owners of The Hut, had been at the lunch with us and now produced a cold bottle of champagne, so the celebration continued. A great afternoon was had by all. Thanks Michael and Barbara for a grand party
Sort of normal week really, just the usual shopping etc. so not much to really report, except, that on Friday night we went, firstly to the new Chinese restaurant with Margaret and Norman, then stopped at The Hut, because it is their last Friday evening before the end of season. The new Chinese, which is next to the Kings Court Hotel, is very good and worth a visit. We had the meal for 4 people and the usual beers and wine and the bill came to around £11.50 per head. The food was good with a nice mix of main dishes and more than enough quantity. Joan & I stopped of at The Hut, because it was their last Friday of the season. Roger B was doing his usual stuff on keyboards, to entertain, so we got in a couple of last beers before heading off home. Dean & Edna decided that they should get an opportunity to dance before closing down until next April. We shall all miss this watering hole and will have to seek out a regular Friday night place for the winter
Ouch. That hurt! We took our friends Reg and Kath to Nicosia, to pick up their car from the dealers after a pre winter service, when one of the mechanics came rushing out, to show us the water coming out from under our Jeep. At first we thought it might have been from the air conditioning, but no, a leaking radiator. So a phone call to the Jeep specialist was made and he agreed to wait for us, beyond his normal 1 p.m. Saturday closing. He took one look, explained that radiators these days are plastic and not repairable, so proceeded to strip the front of our car and by 2.15 p.m. we were on our way, complete with new radiator, but £330. lighter in the bank. This sort of service is the usual thing here, which we have come to expect, tremendous help just when you need it and all done in a friendly manner. We also learnt that the garage owner is one of the top rally drivers in Cyprus, next weekend is the last rally of the season, so we will definitely be reporting on that if this weather holds good.
Over the last year or more we have been going up to Karaman village and taking progress pictures for David and Glen. Their house was being built on the side of the hill; some of you may recall the pictures earlier in our news. Well now everything is complete and really looks wonderful. This evening, together with Margaret and Norman, we were invited up for drinks at David's new bar followed by supper. It was the first time Joan and I had seen the completed and furnished product. Must say it looks beautiful and Glen did us all proud in the kitchen.
Earlier in the afternoon we received a panic phone call from George and Susan Roberts. They have had a red brick version of our house built quite near to us here in Lapta. Well, they set off from U.K., 6 days ago, driving a Citroen Estate car they had bought especially, to bring out here. They had no problems at borders or customs until they arrived here on the island, hence the panic call. It seems that the new car documents had not arrived from DVLA before they left U.K. and without these there was no way they were going to get the car off the docks. The word impounded springs to mind, but also this included all the contents, such as the clothes they needed, until their container arrives in 3 weeks. I went down to the docks whilst Joan did a bit of ringing around. In the end we succeeded in getting their suitcases out of the back of the car and permission to empty the rest tomorrow, but this still leaves the problem of the car.
A word of warning here, technically you are not allowed to import any vehicle that is more than three years old and this vehicle must be supported by all the proper U.K. documentation in original form. Georges car was born in 1997 so we may still have a problem. He will probably be allowed to use it here for three months and then will have to take it back to England and sell it there. So all of you who are thinking of bringing in your own car, be warned check it out in advance, we know of a number of cars that are in the storage area of customs and have been there for some considerable time, at a cost of $37 per day.
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