Saturday, 22 July
We did some shopping this morning in preparation for our first BBQ for the neighbours tomorrow. In the heat of the day, after lunch, I chose to stay indoors and began sorting out the books into some kind of chronological order. Very satisfying. Late afternoon Jeff decided to tackle erecting a B & Q gazebo we had brought out with us. He did pretty well, but I had a slight problem when asked to help him to move it into position as I could only just reach the overhead bar! Anyway we ended the day having successfully erected the frame.
Sunday, 23 July
Most of the day was spent in preparation for our BBQ. Our guests were due to arrive at 5pm. Creating sufficient shade with our sun umbrellas was our biggest problem. Eventually we plan to build a permenant shade area near the lounge door which will make sitting out there in the afternoon more comfortable.
I had marinated some olives and feta cheese in olive oil and herbs earlier in the week and roasted and tossed some nuts in a cayenne mixture. These would provide nibbles while everyone was assembling. Gazpacho Soup was to start the meal, not only is this so refreshing in this heat, but cheap and easy to do with the prolific amount of tomatoes and cucumbers we have. We made a variety of salad dishes, dips, pitta bread and we marinated chicken, lamb and tuna to cook on the BBQ.
On our recent visit to the south we had found a bottle of Pimms and our guests were greeted with a cool glass full of fruit, lemonade and Pimms. Patrick and Mary, Averil and Peter and Les and Jo were our guest and I forgot to take any pictures! All of us agreed that we do not eat as much here as we did in UK, so we never got around to serving the tuna - and we had plenty of leftovers. Everyone found room for dessert as I'd prepared stuffed peaches with mascarpone cream. We had a really good afternoon and we look forward to when they can come again.
Monday, 24 July
It was a big clear up first thing and then Jeff went into Girne to do some admin which was the start of a "bad" day for him. The Bank failed to produced the promised Bank Cards, money that a friend should have transferred hadn't arrived, the local car insurance office wasn't open and he forgot to pick up a battery for his watch! I think he took his frustration out on getting the roof on the gazebo, because the next time I looked out it was finished.
Julie and Bob, a couple we had met through the Quiz Nights, came round for a "sundowner". They do not live far away and had just installed the same Internet system as ours and got himself a Skype phone. I persuaded them to have some supper with us as I had all the tuna left from yesterday's BBQ. We had a really good evening together. They are about 7/8 years younger than us and decided to come over to Northern Cyprus when Bob was made redundant from his job at British Aerospace.
Tuesday, 25 July
Jeff decided to start proceedings towards getting our Temporary Residency permits today. He had to find our local Mukhtar and get his permission to stay in his town. I'd already done this when I was over last year sorting out the importation of our furniture.
We had invited Barbara and Michael to have lunch with us in order that they could see where we lived and what we lived in! No fuss this time, ham and tomatoe sarnies in the garden. The day was very still, hot and humid. Although we started in the garden it was not long before we moved indoors where it was a little cooler. We had a good time together and just as we were relaxing after they had left - the power went off! Now we have a generator this shouldn't be a problem but we had loaned it to Les and Jo because they had moved into their house a couple of weeks ago but they have no water or electricity connected. Their builder had provided them with a generator only for it to be stolen when they were away from the house one night! So we felt sorry for them and had loaned them ours while a replacement was sorted out. As it happened, the power was only off for a few hours and we spent plenty of time swimming in the pool as we could do little else.
Wednesday, 26 July
Jeff collected his permission from the Mukhtar and later in the morning we went into Girne for the market and then called into the Police Station to start the immigration procedure. However, we were too late as the office only opens until 12 noon. The Police Officer did tell Jeff what he needed to bring with him next time.
That afternoon we decided just where we would locate the lovely decorative tile that we were given by Roni and Mike, Jen and Ron on our 60th birthday. We have put it outside in an area where we spend most of our time sitting. The power went off again this afternoon, but did come back on again before it went dark.
If its Wednesday then it must be Quiz Night at the Chiswick. Michael and Barbara joined us this week but they didn't help us improve our score. Never mind, it is great fun, not to be taken seriously.
Thursday, 27 July
After breakfast we did a quick tidy round and set off for Girne to tackle the next stage in the Temporary Residency procedure. We started at the Police Station where we presented our Passports plus copies, Mukhtar's permission plus copies, copies of Contract of Sale for the bungalow and a bank statement but they still needed additional copies of the Contract of Sale and the bank statement. We were despatched off to a Clinic where we had blood taken from us along with a total of 500 YTL (£160), then on to a hospital to have chest xrays, to a photographers for passport photographs and enroute we got the extra photocopies they needed. Back to the Police with the receipt to show we had done this, oops! They needed a copy of this too, back to the photocopy shop and finally the Post Office for 6 x 1YTL stamps each to go onto the official documents. We just managed to get back to the Police Station with all these before the clock struck 12! We now have to wait 5/6 weeks before we go on to do the next stage in Lefkosa (Nicosia).
On the way home we called at the Kervan Cafe where I joined the Ladies group for half an hour's chat and Jeff cooled down with a cold drink.
Later that afternoon we went up to Babel Garden Centre to find some plants and soil for some planters we had bought over in the south last week and spent the cool of the evening doing a bit of gardening.
Friday, 28 July
Friday morning the British Residents Society meets at the Pegasus Bar, it is both a social gathering and they have a small market of books, clothes, veg and CDs and DVDs. The main purpose of the organisation is to assist Brits to assimilate into Cypriot society, to ensure rules and regulations are abided by and help those who encounter problems. We went along this morning in order to sign up as members. It may be that my SSAFA connections could be useful to them.
There is an American Car Wash located conveniently next door, so while we were signing up we left the car in the Car Wash where for 20 YTL (£6.50) the car is hand cleaned immaculately and thoroughly both inside and out. Money well spent in this heat.
On the way back we called in at the Friday Market located in the grounds of Carpenters Restaurant. There are a few Craft Stalls, home made produce, books, clothes and a pie maker. We stocked up on pies and I ordered a name plaque for the bungalow. A very talented lady paints designs on tiles and I have asked that we have one made showing a toy soldier in a sentry box. So the bungalow will be known as The Sentry Box - the reason being that as we are the first building on the lane and all visiting vehicles have to pass our gates, Jeff seldom misses any of the comings and goings. Considering our background we thought the name not only amusing but appropriate.
We have been experiencing some high winds during the last couple of days, which is lovely when it is so hot, but this afternoon the winds became so strong we couldn't put the umbrellas up and as evening came, black clouds began to build up. If we had been in UK we would have been certain to get rain. Although Jeff gathered up all the cushions from the chairs it blew itself out and nothing happened, but it was very strange.
Late evening we joined friends (the boat crowd) down at the Cabin for a drink or three. There was only our group there, so the wind must have driven the tourists inside!
Saturday, 29 July
Later today Jeff will be taking me to Larnaca for a late afternoon flight to Heathrow. I am so looking forward to seeing all the Kelseys again, but particularly little Joe. I am so excited at the prospect of bringing them all back here with me in a week's time (Andy will join them about a week later). Much as I am looking forward to seeing them along with my dear friends, the fact that this is now my home is making me want to stay here too. Once I get on that plane I shall be ok, but I feel as though I am a bit in denial about the journey at the moment.
So a few chores to do now and then I really must start packing.
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