Anyway, I was rudely awakened by a loud banging on the door of my apartment. I opened it and was greeted firstly by a whoosh of hot air, and secondly by a small child launching herself at me like an Exocet.
"Mum, you've come!" shouted Izzy with her arms clasped around my neck and her legs dangling around my knees. [Just so you know: Izzy and her Dad, Steve, had arrived in Cyprus four days before me, and were staying in an apartment belonging to Steve's Dad (Paul) and Step-mum (Sue)].
That's the nice thing about children and dogs; they are always pleased to see you, even if you feed them food from packets.
"Yep, I'm here, and we have a whole 10 days to have fun," I grinned at her.
She released her grip from my neck and said, "you are really cold."
"I've got hypothermia," I informed her, gravely.
"What's that?" she asked, wide-eyed.
"It's means that I am suffering from extreme cold," I said.
"But it's really hot in Cyprus," she replied, looking bemused.
"That's why today, I am mainly being ironic," I told her.
"What's ironic?" she asked. Sacre-bloody-bleu. I thought that kids should be seen and not heard.
"Never mind that, let's go over to your apartment and say hello to everyone," I replied, deftly changing the subject.
As we headed out, I was wafted by the heat for a second time. In the Cyprus summertime, temperatures constantly hover around 31 degrees Celcius (88 degrees Fahrenheit). But on a related, but separate note, I am always amazed by the fact that water boils at 100 degrees C. How much of a handy coincidence is that?
Anyway, I digress. Izzy took me round to her Grandparent's apartment and opened the door to let us both in.
Pic.No.1 Sue (left) and Paul (right) were reading on their veranda before they spotted me
After a couple of seconds, they looked up, and saw me standing there.
Sue stood up, grinned, and gave me a hug, whilst Paul shouted in a Brummy accent; "Yow are berluddy late for breakfast!"
And so things were back to normal, albeit in a different country (they had moved to Cyprus from the UK 10 months previously).
Paul and Sue liked a healthy diet, and for breakfast they served up some birdseed-type food (which I later found out was called 'muesli') with yoghurt dolloped on the top.
After chewing for 30 jaw-aching minutes, I finally saw the end in sight.
"What are the sweet bits in it?" I asked regarding my bowl with suspicion.
"Dried fruit," replied Sue.
"Yeh, I thought I could taste vitamins," I said grimacing, "can I just have the muesli on it's own tomorrow? Or maybe a bacon sandwich?" I added tentatively.
"I'll leave the fruit off tomorrow then," stated Sue, ignoring the bacon bit.
I decided to rapidly change the subject after realising that bacon was the elephant in the room (even though I saw Steve dribble a little bit at the mere mention).
"What's the plan today then?" I asked cheerily.
"We're taking it easy because it's your first day," said Paul, "so it'll be the swimming pool this morning and the beach this afternoon."
And because I am kinder than Mother Theresa, except that I have more tailored clothes, I have got some pictures for you .....................
Pic.No.2 Izzy in the pool outside of her Grandparent's apartment. She was still excited to see me
Pic.No.3 Izzy cruising around the pool on a bloody great crocodile
Pic.No.4 After our dip in the pool, I had expressed an interest in seeing the sea (because we don't have any in Oxford), so we stopped off at 'Coral Bay' en-route to our final beach destination - the Akamas Peninsula
Pic.No.5 Another view of Coral Bay. It was picture perfect - white sands and azure seas. It was 'kept real' by the fat bloke on a sun lounger
Pic.No.6 Steve and his Dad, Paul, posing on a headland with their short and hairies hanging out
Pic.No.7 After leaving Coral Bay and en-route to Akamas I noticed that 'Health and Safety' nuts had not yet arrived in Cyprus
Pic.No.8 As our journey to the Akamas Peninsula neared it's end, I noticed a wild flock of goats. They looked a bit vicious, like triffids, so I locked the car door as a precaution
Pic.No.9 After passing the killer goats, we rounded the headland, and I got my first glimpse of Akamas
Pic.No.10 And finally we dropped down into Akamas bay
Pic.No.11 The view of the cliffs from Akamas Bay. There was hardly anyone on the beach which was marvellous and probably means I am a sociopath
Pic.No.12 A double bonus was the fact that Paul had brought his off-road buggy for us to play with (anything involving petrol is generally bloody good fun). Here he is pictured with Izzy who was still grinning after 20 minutes of bouncing around all the dunes and bumps
Pic.No.13 I have to admit that I liked the 'off-roading' bit more than the 'sit on the beach' bit. Quite simply becauase there is no worse feeling than having sand stuck to your sun-tan lotion. In fact, I don't like beaches much at all. That's why I invented Astro-Sand
Pic.No.14 After off-roading, we were all treated to a beach BBQ ........ Nom nom nom
Pic.No.15 The best thing about Akamas beach was that it was littered with these things ...... can you guess what they were? (I reckon the only person who will guess is Masher)
Pic.No.16 Steve, Izzy and Sue paddling in the waves towards the end of the day .........
Pic.No.17 ....... before running away as a couple of large breakers came in
Pic.No.18 And finally, the sun started to set over a chilled day at Akamas ....
Pic.No.19 ..... lighting up a pebble sculpture that Paul had created earlier in the day ....
Pic.No.20 Izzy caught the setting sun in her hand
So dahlink, that was my first day of Cyprus. It was bloody marvellous, but if I could change one thing, I would not have sand involved. It's the devil's spawn. I don't believe that being gritty is natural.
There is more to come on the holidays, but in the meantime, I am going to grab a glass of Bolly and listen to what you have been doing this weekend ...... fire away my lovely ..............!
I know! I know! Markers for sea turtle nests...or something like that! The water is stunning there- the beaches look so clean. And I would kill for only 88 degrees! My favorite picture is the one showing Izzy holding the sun! Have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteI know this beach well, as my daughter lives over there, lovely photos and makes me jealous as I cant get over there this year, have a super holiday
ReplyDeleteLove the last few "evening" photos, and the video with the sound of the waves is fab. I haven't seen the sea this year at all! We have had fierce thunder storms today with lashings of wetness.
ReplyDeleteNot sure about Pic 15, but I'll go with Pam and say it's to protect the local turtles or their eggs.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe they're litter bins that have been planted upside down in the sand as a piece of stupid, crappy modern art?
And look at you getting all arty with your sunset pics! Nice.
Wonderful photos. White cliffs and empty beaches, outstanding. Beaches on the East Coast of USA from late May through September 7 are usually very crowded. I'll visit beaches after September 7 when the crowds are gone.
ReplyDeleteDid Masher know what exactly those metal structures are on the beach? I have no clue.
Do tell.
My weekend...not as inspiring as yours! Visited local Walden Pond, Concord, MA, USA - been there many times as it features a nice woodland walk around the perimeter. Today was about 80 degrees with low humidity.
Looking forward to more about Cyprus. Susan
Love pic 7 - (looks like telephone) and there is no better place for it! If only BT were this good!!! As for my weekend.... all day yesterday moaning about 'Lympic empty seats! My goodness.... best stop there. Auntie Beeb sorted it with a nice free App to get all the sports in all the right places. Saw archery, hockey, gymnastics, footie, fencing.... accidentally caught Team GB womens beach volleyball! Can't remember the score or who they were playing.......think I need to find the highlights!!
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic, how can you help but chill out there, although not to excessive degrees, turn down the air con!!
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic, how can you help but chill out there, although not to excessive degrees, turn down the air con!!
ReplyDeleteLooks bloody fab there !
ReplyDeleteIt bloody was! I didn't know what to expect but it was amazing!
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Bloody air con is well and truly turned up, because I would properly have died if I had turned it down! It was chilled, but I am rubbish at chilling. I like doing 'stuff'. Luckily I did, so more to come laters ;-)
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Your comment was so cool that it was published twice!
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Accidentally caught womens beach volleyball! Man alive that made me laugh. I am totally with you on the empty seats at the olympic venues - a total disgrace that corporate sponsors aren't using their tickets when other people are gagging for 'em!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are having fun watching all the sport ;-)
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Hello Susan, thanks for stopping by! For a beach it was ace - virtually empty. Just the way I like 'em. Masher hasn't come up with an answer about the metal things yet, but I will give him some time yet.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a lovely weekend - woodland walks are great, especially when the sunshine is out. Do you have a mutt?
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LOL, I just knew that you would get it ...... you have that geeky way of thinking and all! But pipped at the post by Pam ..... DOH!
ReplyDeleteThat was my camera getting arty. I still had it set on 'auto' cos I don't know what all the other buttons do. I am sure you could tell me though ;-)
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Hello, are you new rounder here? If you are ...... welcome! Your daughter lives there? Wow, she is one lucky girl .... it's amazing. Even better that you get to visit regularly. Shame you can't make it this year :-(
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Thank you - I was trying to do a David Bailey. But the secret is a good camera ...... set it on 'auto', point and click, and it makes good pics. Huzzar!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the thunder storms, that's a bit Anne Frank. I'm sure I will have my fair share when I come back though ;-(
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And the winner is ........ Pam! You are absolutely correct, they are indeed there to protect the turtle's nests and eggs. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThe beaches are gorgeous. I'll miss 'em when I'm back in Blighty.
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Beautiful pictures. It all looks so fun but I agree about the sand. Not really a beach person either. I am thinking I might call the airport right now and book a ticket. Only 88 degrees F. We haven't been under 100 in weeks now. I am sick..sick...sick of 106 degrees. (and I am way to cheap to set the AC low enough to cause hypothermia.) I am all for healthy eating but there are limits. Muesli...really???? Are there McDonalds there?
ReplyDeleteBloody hell! 106 degrees? I am surprised you haven't perished! Couldn't agree more about sand - it's gritty and horrible, and beaches would be so much nicer without it ;-)
ReplyDeleteThere was a McDonalds but it was too far to get to without a car, and we weren't insured on theirs. Doh!
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The last two pictures are my favourites but the video was smashing because that is the closest I shall get to the sea this year.
ReplyDeleteThere weren't many beaches near where I stayed and those that I saw were a bit manky. Like you I don't get on with sand.
Why does most of the planet do better beaches than ours, all we seem to manage are a few seedy looking amusement arcades. Mind you it is probably because I live in the same county as Blackpool.
ReplyDeleteLove this and the sand too....the inukshuk is perfect(stone structure) that's what we call them...Izzy is magic holding the setting sun....must try that here...corn please may I have some more....mmm....Akamas Bay is the cat's meow....those waves are pristine and gorgeous....more to come...can't wait. Sophie would love surfing those waves for sure...Cheers Ron
ReplyDeleteWowza, looks awesome there... and I too could pass on ten beach time... love that your claiming hypothermia was not the clever hit you thought it would be!
ReplyDeleteI mean really? you saucy sand-filled silly mynx :)
ReplyDeleteAstrosand is definitely a concept worth marketing.
ReplyDeleteThat looks beyond fabulous. I'm so glad that you and Izzy are getting such a great vacation before school starts again.
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you. It would mean an end to sand stuck in the suntan cream. And as we all know, there is no worse feeling than that!
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Saucy? Mynx? Ummm .... yes..... I could get used to that!
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Here here, we could form an anti-beach splinter group! Yeh, that air con will teach me to be greedy!!
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Flippin' Hek Ron, you and Jim are a fountain of knowledge. I had no idea that the stone thingy was called an inukshuk! It was lovely there, Sophie would have been in her element ;-) P.S. I'll save you some sweetcorn
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Yeh, I know what you mean about Blackpool also having lived in the same county!
ReplyDeleteI think the problem with the UK is that we tend to build a whole load of tat next to our beaches ;-)
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I am quite surprised by the number of people who said they also don't like sand. At first I thought it was me being a weirdo! Glad you liked the vid mind ;-)
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Not at all, I know a lot of people who don't like it. Here is another thing that I don't like
ReplyDeletehttp://www.imagineerproductions.co.uk/content/6917/godiva/making_godiva_real/the_puppet/the_puppet
Bloody puppets, and this one is six meters tall, my neighbour wanted me to go watch it wake up - soon told her where to go!
I had to look away when you said Steve and his dad had their 'short and hairies' hanging out... then I remembered Morebambe and Wise... phew! Love those sunsets on pebbles... like one of those motivational posters but without the over-cheery exhortations to 'succeed' or ''share' or whatever!
ReplyDeleteAnnie! This is you at your BEST! WOW! Double WOW!
ReplyDeleteI was going to guess a 'land mine' warning!! But gave it a second thought considering people and all!
Your photography has jumped into a high gear here....love it! And Cyprus rocks!
Wow! Looks absolutely amazing. And pic 19 looks like an Inukshuk built by the Inuit of northern Canada. Can not to read and see more about your trip. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteIt was amazing! I didn't know that pic 19 was called an Inukshuk until Jim (also from Canada) told me. Never heard of them before. Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteAwww thanks Jim. Praise from you about my pics is praise indeed!! No, it wasn't a land mine - it was a turltes' nest.
ReplyDeleteAh, Morecombe and Wise were the duo who coined the term 'short and hairies'? Well I never. Jeez don't get me started on motivational posters. Always with a puppy or pebbles. I just delete them all. That might explain a lot actually ....... !
ReplyDeleteCyprus rocks! It was my first time there and I would definitely go back again. I'll pop over and say hello soon!
ReplyDeleteI just realised that your post didn't appear on my blog because it had a link in it.
ReplyDeleteThat puppet is bloody freaky. No wonder you don't like it. You do weird stuff in your neck of the woods!
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