Frank and Joan's news for 31 December 2008 in Northern Cyprus

Frank and Joan's Adventures in Northern Cyprus

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

New Years Eve and just as in earlier years, Joan and I hosted the party. Once again it has gone very cold in the afternoons and in the evenings so we stoked up the heating during the day and then got the gas fire going. So by the time our guests arrived it was all warm and snug.

We had bought a leg of pork from the local Pork Butcher who opened recently in Alsancak, this we cooked during the later part of the afternoon so that it could be served up with some chicken legs, sausages, roast spuds and various meze dishes. Seemed to go down very well, especially when followed by Joan's "lots of sherry" trifle, a chocolate log which Barbara and St

ewart donated to the evening and the usual cheese, fruit salad etc.

We played some games earlier in the evening and this was the first occasion that Andrew, Nicola and their children Laura and Mathew had joined the gang. Isn't it amazing how one can get well and truly shown up by a 6 year old when it comes to some of the skill games. Later after dinner we introduced them to our traditional turtle racing. That's Andrew on the left playing against Pat and young Laura. The kids were determined to keep going until midnight but in fact they crashed out. Mathew quite early on and then Laura came back with second wind and made it into next year.

We all trooped outside at midnight, because there is normally one or two fireworks displays around. Guess the economic crisis and the freezing weather made everybody go easy this year. In fact we did not stray out more than a couple of minutes, far too cold.

Anyway that's it, another year gone by and who knows maybe next year Joan and I may be celebrating in France. Anyway, whatever will be, there is no desperate rush. In the meantime have a very Happy, Prosperous and Healthy 2009 out there all of you who read this blurb, see you in the new year.