Planning for our return to the UK! - Catalkoy, Cyprus
Catalkoy, Cyprus
Sat 1st Oct - Well this is it, we have entered the month we return to the UK. Sadly we are starting to plan ahead, packing up, etc checking travel arrangements and also trying to pencil in and organise our pack up of our house in Chardstock. Weather is lovely this time of the year, not to hot during the day so can walk around not getting all sweaty and the evenings are really pleasant sat outside. John was up just after 7am, did a bit of sweeping up outside, kettle on and a pot of tea made. Sarah surfaced and wandered downstairs as well. She has completed her month of attempting to walk an average of 10,000 steps a day....and despite her couple of days of being zonked out she averaged 10,350 steps a day - well done to her and she also raised some money for Tulips. Off into town to change some money and then a little drive around Dogankoy, Ozankoy and Catalkoy just looking at various places that may be for sale....not for us but we said to our friends Joan and Bill that if we spotted something that they might like we would let them know. Called in at the garden centre for a looksee, unlike in the UK we just bought one small plant and came away. Then down to Supreme supermarket for some supplies, before popping into Mardos for a milk shake, cappuccino and shared a helim and bacon toastie. Before coming away we also selected an 8 scoop assortment of icecreams, probably the last ones for this trip. Back home and we can settlle down by the pool for a couple of hours reading, before the normal Saturday sporting extravaganzer. John settled down for the football commentary whilst Sarah continued on with a bit of knitting. Sports done, shower and quick change before a 10min drive down the hill to Bollywoods and a curry and Rod Stewart tribute night. Surprise surprise we were first to arrive and already the place was filling up. However, things were well organised and our table was reserved in the corner of an outside courtyard. Ordered our drinks and made the way to our seats. Ian and his mate Patrick turned up about 10mins later, followed by Brendon and Beryl and then Gary. Placed our orders for a selection of different starters and curries....options chosen were onion bahjis, prawn cocktail and baked aubergine, followed by chicken jalfrezzi, lamb balti and butter chicken plus normal dips and chappatis. The wine was flowing as "Rod" stepped up for his first set. Not knowing what to expect we were a bit dubious......surprisingly despite having an "ooop north" accent he dressed the part, had the hair and importantly when he sang, the voice. He was a slightly larger version of the original but not bad. He worked hard in the first set to get things going, but as many were eating most were content to sit and listen. In the meantime, Gary was on form and more wine flowed. John was duty driver so Sarah was allowed a glass or two. Second set started and "Rod" got them going....out came the leopard skin trousers, all the moves and actions! To be fair he was a cut above some of the tribute acts doing the rounds. Our table was great, lots of chat, banter and stories.....as the night wore on Gary true to form managed to blag a free bottle of brandy (It only costs 8TL anyway...£2.20), plus a couple of glasses of coffee liquer for the ladies. Then of course it was free coffees all round. Before we knew it it was midnight! A really great evening with good company and plenty of laughs. Home and in bed 30mins later.
Sun 2nd Oct - It was 9am before we really woke up, so Sarah made some tea and got ready to head off to town and church. Again a lovely bright clear and sunny morning, there were even some nutters up at the pool. Clearly holidaymakers as it is to chilly for us! John was left in charge of the washing machine and plant watering plus setting up for our ritual sunday bbq.....not many more to go sadly before we fly home. Tonights supper will be pork, lamb and a couple of spicey sausages.....working our way thro the freezer contents and slowly emptying it out. Received a call about some IKEA Poang Chairs that Sarah had spotted on an internet forum....still for sale and seller only lives in Ozankoy so arranged to pop down after 4pm today to take a look. Our current 2 seater and 3 seater sofa isnt comfy enough says Sarah! They are in fact made of heavy wood and in a turkish style, very well made but Sarah wants something more able for her to nod off in. Anyway we will see what the IKEA chairs are like.Gary popped round for a coffee and a chat bringing Buddy with him and just after he left Sarah returned from town. A chill afternoon, before heading to Ozankoy at just after 4pm to view the chairs. Took about a minute to decide they must come home. Loaded up a la Cyprus style and 20mins later they were home and in place. Pics were taken of our sofas and we put them up for sale on an internet forum. No rush to sell, but we will see. Another option is to take them to the auction house, but thats for next year. So now we will be on the lookout for a comfy sofa no doubt! A quick walk around the site and home to light the bbq for supper. Orhan next door was having a party, it was his birthday so he had a few friends around for a bbq. By 8pm our supper was cooked and very nice it was to. Then a skype with Ben and Claire to catch up and also mark up stuff in the house at home that they could have or we will sell. Then a bit of Ryder cup golf, antiques roadshow and bed.
Mon 3rd Oct - Early start for our last day volunteering at the rescue centre. Sarah was doing her normal cleaning and food prep whilst John did some grounds maintenance. The centre has a school visit tomorrow and also animal rights visit....they come and take dogs for walks.....well a few anyway as there are 400 of them. John did the usual food run and then by 4pm we were finished. Said goodbye to everyone, its been hard work, hot and sweaty at times but we are sure the dogs appreciate that they are in shelter, safe, fed and looked after. We made special friends with a liver and white pointer named Kilroy. He came in about three weeks ago, he was in a terrible state, painfully thin, struggling to walk and found in a drainage ditch. He really only had limited time left. The centre took him in and slowly, slowly he is getting stronger. He is fed little and often and has had a good clean, antibiotics and a few weeks on he looks so much better. He is a very soft, loving boy, doesnt make much noise and is very friendly (Surprising considering the life he has had). He is safe now and whilst amongst so many, he is unlikely to be rehomed so we look forward to meeting him again next year and see how he has progressed. A lovely dog. Just a reminder that Kyrenia Animal Rescue (KAR) have a website.....www.kartrnc.org Take a look if you love dogs and cats! Back home it was scrub down and shower time. The old t shirts and socks we wore for our volunteering were thrown out! Chilled on the balcony for an hour and then indoors for an hour or so of tv before changing and heading out for a meal.....we promised ourselves that we would eat out tonight to celebrate our time volunteering! Off to Ozankoy to Zehra's Garden (Sarah's Garden!) a place that had been recommended to us. Tables set up in a lovely garden with the trees and shrubs all lit up. Nice relaxing tunes playing in the background.Another great find. No menu, cyprus meze and the full kebab. The mezes were a little different from the norm - a lot more traditional and the kebab just kept on coming. Washed down with cold glasses of Efes. By the end of the meal we were stuffed...but then came out a plate of fruit....ah the end is in sight. Nope....just the last very traditional preserved sticky and very sweet fruits to follow. Really enjoyed the evening and then short drive home for a cup of tea before bedtime.
Tue 4th Oct - Now just 2 weeks before we fly back to the UK. Awake just after 7am so decided to get up and enjoy a cup of tea on the patio. Gardener was hard at work removing the old shrubs that had not survived the summer heat and generally tidying up the site gardens. The rains are due in a few weeks, so that will keep things growing over the winter period. A few little jobs this morning, into town to book jeep in for service and MOT, drop off an item from church for repair and have a look in the KAR shop. We may buy a couple of t shirts, plus also we are thinking about sponsoring Kilroy, the liver and white pointer. Headed into town, first stop dentist as Sarah wanted to book in for a teeth clean before we come home. So much cheaper out here. Then onto the electrical shop and drop of the little hot water boiler for repair....man will call and let us know if it can be fixed. Short distance down the road and into the KAR office, Sarah had a look around the clothes whilst John sorted the sponsoring of Kilroy......£10 a month. Onwards to garage, booked car in for service and MOT next Monday, drop off at 8am. We think we may head to Lefkosa on the dolmus (mini coach) after dropping off the jeep and pick up on our return.......another experience for us. Then to supermarket, just bread to pick up. Homeward via the village, spotted the barber was free so John went in for a haircut and shave. Sarah popped home, picked a pair of Johns shorts and came back down to Catalkoy. Haircut done we crossed the road to the tailors shop to get Johns shorts altered......they were to baggy! Noticed that since last weeks village culture festival, two new cafe/taverna places opened up. One was next to the barbers and another just round the corner.Hope they are a success. We are going to try one before we leave, perphaps stroll down one evening. Back home it was toast and tv time. An afternoon of tv plus a film or two but by 6pm it was time for an evening stroll for about an hour. Checked out a few half built places, wandered around inside to check the workmanship and headed home for shower, change and sundowners. Sarah just had a tonic and John a glass of white. Lovely ratatouille with olive bread for supper, followed by Mardos ice cream. Sarah was a bit sleepy so retired to bed, John meanwhilst tuned into the well known chekatrade trophy match where Posh were at home to MK Dons.....a worthless competition for sure. Gave up listeningbat half time so as you can guess it was not going well!
Weds 5th Oct - Decided to go into town today as it was the Weds market and we had not been for a while. PIeasant wander around, bought a selection of different nuts to bring home with us and then a relax at cafe next to market for people watching. Drive towards home and called in at Botanica.....its a furniture shop as we heard they had a sale on so time to check out sofa prices. Seemed reasonable, took measurements to have a think. Onwards to Arapkoy, small village about 5 mins drive away in the hills. Our old friends Joan and Bill are seriously considering buying out here and we went to take some pictures of a place they liked the look of....must admit so did we. Found out later it had just been snapped up! Never mind. Home for lunch and a chill afternoon. Weather on the change now, no rain as yet but cooling down a little plus cloudier. By 5pm we were doing our ritual drive for the quiz night. Six of us in the team tonight and despite the fact we thought we hadnt done enough to win....surprise we won! Free round of drinks whoopee. Never won the raffle of reverse bingo money but next time maybe. Had the chicken casserole special for supper before heading home by 9:30pm. Bit more tv and bed.
Thur 6th Oct - Sarah was up and off to church this morning, John in charge of washing machine and admin. Time to finalise removals etc. Thanks to Ben and Claire it looks like some of the furniture items we no longer want will be taken by them or their friends. Plus they will help start the packing. We decided that rather than hire a big van and diy move what furniture etc we have to storage, we will engage a man/men and van.....to help move and pack. Its a proper removals service but at a very competitive price. We complete on Oct 28th but they will be with us 26th, leaving us a couple of days to finish off. Contacted the storage place to confirm dates etc so now all is in place. Cloudy afternoon but warm so we decided to watch a dvd and Sarah busied herself with knitting.Walk up to the top of the hill and onto the bondu out as far as the goat farm before supper of tuna salad and jacket potato, bit more tv and bedtime
Fri 7th Oct - Neighbours Marj and Malcolm head home today, will see them again next year. Sarah went off for a walk to meet a lady to hand over her sponsor money for the 10,000 step challenge. John at home, trying to get rid of light head and lurgy! Light lunch of scrambled egg on toast before settling down to a film. Our friends Bill and Joan who are looking to buy out here are sending us details of properties and asking advice. As we live here and know areas, we can cut thro the estate agent talk and give honest feedback....some of the things stated are really stretching things just a little.....2 mins walk from beach......more like 20mins and you may hit the coast, as for a beach hmmmm.....another one was advertised as west of Girne old harbour....err more like a 1hour drive west in a lovely remote area but at least 30mins to shops/banks etc! There was also one property which looked nice, but we have been to the site....run down, some half built crumbling relics, social area never completed and the pool pics are at least 10yrs old! Not all gloom tho as there was one that could fit the bill and we did a driveby to take a look. Nice position, big garden. Sarah called the animal rescue centre to see if we could take our sponsor dog.... Kilroy for a walk. Not sure if we could as he came in 3 weeks ago so very thin and did not know if he was fit enough yet. Walk no problem, but would we mind swinging in via the vet so they could take a look at his leg! Of course we will!! Popped out for bread, ice cream and cat food then a drive around Ozankoy checking out properties for sale, really pleasant weather so no need to get in and jump in the shower. Supper is lasagne, fresh crunchy bread and salad, followed by ice cream and chocolate....we decided to treat ourselves.
Sat 8th Oct - Cup of tea or two, shower and dressed and out to find a Saturday market in Lapta. Well we failed to find it...despite driving around for a while, so maybe try next week. Drove home via the supermarket and thro the village stopping off at the tailor shop to pick up Johns shorts. Then once home it was lunch. Hot dogs for John and beans on toast for Sarah. Little bit of Saturday kitchen on tv for Sarah before it was time for John to enjoy (!!) watching Posh live on Sky. Yes it was enjoy because at last we won....3 - 1. Good game! Following the big match it was time to give our jeep a real good clean out and wash after the hot and dusty summer. Almost 2hrs later the jeep was looking good, so we cleaned ourselves up and then walked down tomthe village. Decided to try one of the two newly opened tavernas in the village centre. Chicken shish, salad and bread and a couple of beers whilst sat watching the comings and goings in the village. Then a stroll home via torchlight just in time for strictly, cold drinks and cups of tea on the go. TV done we wandered up to bed.