Last Monday we had planned a domestic day, but no sooner had we got started than we had a power cut! So the washing had to wait a day as it was off until 5pm. However, it gave us chance to decide where we would put some of our pictures and each day the place looks more like home.

Tuesday was spent up in Lefkosa/Nicosia. We started at the main Police Station this time to get an "In and Out" form for me. The office was very busy and as it looked as though I would have a lengthy wait Jeff went off to visit a place that had been recommended to him to see about buying a generator for the house. He was successful and found what he wanted, having arranged to have it delivered home on Wednesday. I was still waiting - it wasn't too much longer before my name was called, "In and Out" form handed over and off we went to Customs to get them to make me legal for driving the car in N Cyprus. The young lady who was so helpful last week was just leaving for her lunch when we got there. This time we were dealt with by a gentleman who was ok but didn't have the same friendly manner. Anyway, this is how efficient the office procedure is: hand over documents - copies of passport, importation certificate, insurance and driving licence. He writes in a ledger, also enters info onto a computer, then asks that we go around the back of the building to another office to obtain a photocopy of my licence and bring it back to him. Once this was done he stamped the appropriate form and we were done, but it is a classic example of the shortage of resources and one photocopier has to serve many offices.

We then went through the border into Nicosia, to a shop that had been recommended where we may find flat pack desks for the computer and my sewing things. Found the shop and had a great time mooching around. Picked up one or two "useful" things and then we found the furniture, exactly what we wanted and at a reasonable price. Took us ages to make up our minds about which style of computer desk we wanted, there were so many to choose from but the desk/table for my sewing things was very easy.

Unfortunately, once we had these on board and a swivel chair we hadn't time to look around the rest of the shop. Jeff had previously arranged to see his carpenter in Karşiyaka at 4pm and we needed to get back. No trouble at the border and we saw the carpenter who wanted to check on some measurements as he is making a large bookcase for us and a wardrobe for "the boys" bedroom.
That evening Jeff and I joined Barbara and Michael and Sandy and John at the Cabin for a drink. Sandy was in full flow as always, so it wasn't until she'd gone that I was able to have a conversation with Barbara, who is much more my sort of person.

On Wednesday, Jeff started putting the flat packs together, my sewing table being the first. This is because until his carpenter delivers the bookcase we cannot do much in the study for the piles of book boxes there. Anyway it meant that I was able to get my sewing machine out, get it up and running after it being in hibernation for so long and start making curtains for my "Blue Room". I bought some beautiful blue sari material from ebay a while ago and it is going to make lovely voile curtains for that room.

Earlier in the day I had had a call from Rene (wife of Brian who we had met on the boat from Italy to Turkey with his friend Bob).

She invited us to join them at a Quiz Night at the Chiswick Restaurant just down the road. We went along and had a fun night, quite a few were there and it was pleasant sitting in the garden, so we will probably go again. Met a nice couple, Julie and Bob, who live not far from us. They had decided to up sticks from UK when he was given redundancy, knowing nothing about the island, but seemed to be making a go of it.

Since the rain last week, the weather has been less humid and we have had a nice breeze blowing each afternoon, which has made it much pleasanter when doing various jobs around the place. We've even had little white puffy clouds in the sky and the temperatures average around 28º to 30º.

On Thursday morning I joined a group of ladies from church at the Kervan Restaurant, Kervansary for a get together and a natter. It was nice to meet new people and learn a little about them. The setting is lovely as the garden of the restaurant overlooks a small beach and bay and along the coast to 5-Mile beach (or Escape Beach as it is known now). Whilst we residents enjoyed the breeze I'd told you about, I'm not sure the small groups of holiday makers on the beach did. Although still very warm, the wind was making the sea quite rough. Afterwards I visited The Curtain Shop as they had made and extra blind for me to fit on the kitchen door and it was now ready.


When I first arranged for them to make the curtains for my lounge and kitchen I had declined to have one on the door which is half glass, thinking it would be nice to let the sunshine in! Not until you live here do you realise that at these temperatures you spend your time keeping the sunshine out!


On Friday workmen arrived to fit a railing and a couple of gates to divide the pool area from the lower garden. This will stop little boys from falling off the edge too! Although not quite finished we are pleased with the result.

That evening we joined Michael and Barbara again at the Cabin and spent a really nice evening together.

Saturday, after some domestic chores we did a little shopping. On the way out we remembered to take the key to our Post Box with us. This is located in the village square and wowee!... we had mail. So thank you to Roni and Mike, Stella and Rod for the Welcome to Your New Home cards, they were a great surprise. Completed 2 curtains in the afternoon and we had a lazy evening in, literally sitting by the pool gazing at the stars. Call us old softees!