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Our adventures in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus continue....
  
We are going through a really hot period right now with humidity levels on the up. Not really very pleasant during the day, but very relaxing in the evening when you can sit out either at home or in a restaurant.
Sit out in a restaurant is exactly what Joan and I did last evening, with Atay and Akile, at the Chinese near The Ship Hotel. We had a lovely evening, good food and a particular change from kebabs and doners, good company and a nice garden setting.
According to the press, now that the new government has had a real opportunity to study the finances on TRNC, left in such a sorry state by the outgoing government, they have gone to official meetings with Turkey to discuss the situation and officially request financial support. The suggestions coming out of Turkey linked to any rescue are: CTA to be privatised as it is struggling with annual debts of 50 million TL. A "radical" restructuring of the debt ridden Kibtek electricity authority and the Eastern Mediterran
ean University, which also has debts of 40 Million TL. They are also suggesting that the 13th salary and annual overtime bill for TRNC government employees could be sacrificed. Government staffing levels to be reduced, which could cause some unrest amongst to locals, who have been feather bedded for so long now that they consider it their right. Maybe a rude awakening is on the way.
An interesting letter from one disgruntled expat as a result of our lovely village mayor threatening to fine us for the misuse of domestic water for garden watering or filling pools etc. We are billed every month for 10 tons of water, whether we use it or not and will be fined if we misuse this water. The letter writer wishes he had bought a "Cyp" pool instead of a "Brit" pool. Why, because whilst his "Brit" pool requires filling with expensive tanker water every couple of weeks, his next door neighbours "Cyp" pool has not needed one single tanker in 4 years. It is a known fact that only we Brits worry about water usage, the locals just hose down everything without thought, but never get fined.
After reading all this newspaper stuff, which is sometimes a bit repetitive we went to John and Sandy's villa, across the field from us as they were having a little get together for their wedding anniversary, which was in fact last week. They had delayed to do until their son Chris arrived with his wife Kristina. It was very hot over there but Joan managed to find a way of keeping cool and I noticed that she was later joined by others who felt it was a good idea. A few beers and some nice food from the cold buffet, made for a very pleasant afternoon. As usual there was lots of discussion about lots of ways to put the world to rights, but that is part of the joy of it all. Don't know what John was actually talking about, but it must have been important because all hands were listening intently.
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