Frank and Joan's news for 03 December 2005 in Northern Cyprus

Frank and Joan's Adventures in Northern Cyprus

Our adventures in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus continue....

Joan and I went over to the south early this morning and I suppose the fact that I had to do M&S and one or two other stores, with broad hints being dropped, means Xmas must be approaching. Ok I have got the message. Managed to drop a hint or two myself. They had a very nice 19", Samsung LCD monitor screen in a shop called Electroline, just need a nice big red stocking to hang at the fireplace and maybe a few drinks for the old fellow. Speaking of drinks for Santa, try this web link sent to me, all you need to do is use you arrow keys to manoeuvre Santa from glass to glass, but don't touch the train lines.www.banditos.info/speles/sobersanta2.swf" target="_blank">www.banditos.info/speles/sobersanta2.swf">www.banditos.info/speles/sobersanta2.swf

Saturday is of course newspaper day, so what's new?

TRNC workers don't want low-wage blue collar jobs, says the headline. The usual thing here, now we have a "University Degree !!!" we want

to be a boss straight away. I think we ex-pats have heard all this before but at the end of the day some sort of job training is needed before anybody can be expected to be effective in the work environment. What would be interesting would be a campaign to try to get government employees to do some work, then we could clear up the backlog of permits and residency applications.

Last week I mentioned the proposed changes to the constitution regarding the property laws. Well it seems that there is a lot of objection within the opposition parties. If you recall, it was said, that the proposed change was intended to push the European Court of Human Rights in to transferring the hundreds of claims on their books to the TRNC claims court. The opposition see this as giving in to the Greek Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots say that would not take any notice of any proposals to resolve the property disputes from the "Occupying Administration". Lets see what next weeks papers say.

TWI flights are back on again from 22nd March 2006, they are using a company called Atlasjet and will fly from Stanstead to Ercan on Wednesdays and Saturdays. For those of you in UK who may be interested call Preston Travel in North London on 0208 446 4181 and ask for Ann Haki. She tells me that flight prices start at £205 dependant on period of stay.

The "Homebuyers Pressure Group" seem to be very active and have got the ear of some government ministers and now hold regular meetings. If you have problems with builders etc then they may be worth contacting and even if you are just contemplating buying over here, then their website holds some useful information.www.homebuyerspressuregroup.com" target="_blank">www.homebuyerspressuregroup.com">www.homebuyerspressuregroup.com. When they first set up I have to admit that I thought they where just going to be another collection of aggrieved people who shouted without direction and upset many officials here. Sorry folks, it seems that you have got it together.