Frank and Joan's news for 22 February 2009 in Northern Cyprus

Frank and Joan's Adventures in Northern Cyprus

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

According to the newspaper weather forecast today is going to be the only dry day this week. Now that is a good result, as today is also the day when we do the annual Pro Cancer Research Fund Charity Walk.

Joan and I have managed to get some sponsors to put money in the pot and we ourselves have to pay 25YTL to attend.

The walk starts in Kozankoy, a village on the other side of the mountain. Joan and I started with a wait for the bus in Karsiyaka. Actually we had left our car there and were waiting for Pat and Bryan to drive us over the mountain to the start of the walk. On the way up to Kozankoy you get a first glimpse of the summit road. We all met up at the primary school and there you can see people preparing to walk.. Apparently around 120 tickets had been sold, so if everybody collects reasonable sponsorshi

p it should swell the fund considerably.

Around 10 a.m. we set off and immediately you can see us starting to climb. We know from last year that it is 10km to Karsiyaka and a hard climb over the mountain. It was clear from the rock face that in some places the heavy rain we have had, has brought down some lumps of rock. After about one hour in the spring sunshine you can see that we are climbing still. In fact if you look carefully you can see the stragglers with a long hard slog, yet in front of them. I think what Joan said to me was who said it was a gentle Sunday stroll, or words to that effect. The advantage of all this is the outlook as you cross the mountain, some stunning views down to the road which skirts the valley and runs through to Lefkosa.

At the top, thank goodness, we stopped for a sandwich and drink and the whole area under the trees was covered in flowers, what a little rain does. Only a few weeks ago this would have been quite barren. Lunch over and about half way, then the rain started. Waterproof jackets were donned at this time and we spent the next hour walking, but not singing, in the rain. Wet, we were bl***y soaked when we got back to Karsiyaka. Good idea, waterproof jackets, the rain runs off, down your legs and the end result is very wet jeans.

When we got to the Karsiyaka school we reported in, collected my car and headed for home and a warm shower and dry clothes. Only then did I pick up Bryan and drive him over the mountain to collect his car.

All in all a good day out and the four of us completed it at our place for a feast of lambs liver and onions washed down with some nice red wine. Monday morning is stiff thigh day.