If you want to see a few piccies, actually 26 in all, then off you go to someone elses Blog. Only joking! The whole concept of the Scavenger Hunt has been great fun and Ed, Steph, Pewari and not forgetting Miss L (impossible if you've ever had the pleasure of meeting her) have all taken their own 26 Things (check them out by visiting their page). Of course it is an International venture so there will be many others to see.

Lynne's 26 Things

I will be back on Sunday with tales of Looky Likies (oh, no, not Ricky Martin again!) and a few holiday snaps. Have to go, ironing and stuff to do!

Last week I attempted to flip-flop my way up the steps, all 18 of them, to water the hanging basket on the carport at road level. I had the watering can, a bag of rubbish to put in the bin and I'd bunched my sundress into my knickers, like at infant school when you do handstands, so that I wouldn't trip up. It was the flip-flops I think because I fell up the first step. Now the time before, in May, I attempted to regain my balance and I did a pretty good impression of a penguin losing it's footing on an ice-flow. Now because I was hurt quite badly the last time I thought the best thing to do would be to relax into the fall thus minimising the damage to my person.
The bad news is that it didn't work; the good news is that it's the other ankle!

Tomorrow, we are going on holiday; 2 nights at the Anassa on the northern coastline of the Akamas. We can only afford 2 nights but I'm really looking forward to it. This hotel is where the rich and famous hang out; wonder if Michelle Collins might be there, I know Oprah was staying this time last year, oh and a few of those royals from Monaco. The special occasion is our wedding anniversary.




This pot of pretty petunias is one of the 150 photographs that I haven't used for the Scavenger Hunt....Link will be up tomorrow.

Today has been the first day this month that I've been able to thoroughly and totally relax. Sun lounger under the umbrella, I lay by the pool, which today seemed as blue and clear as a pigeon's egg, I lazily watched the trajectory of swallows flying high above the cliff edge.
One of the greatest joys about Cyprus is that nothing must be done in a hurry, for that would be hostile to the spirit of the place. Cyprus has become mine by adoption. I see a land rich and fertile, with fruit and grain and verdant grasslands, ancient monuments and monastries. It is an island weathered and eroded by different invasions, who over the centuries have piled monument on top of monument.
I give scant attention to headlines in newspapers that say the expats are leaving Cyprus in droves. Let them! I have planted olive and lemon trees and I want to sit here, under the shade of a Carob tree, and watch them grow.

Well I took the last photograph today for the International Photographic Scavenger Hunt. I began in Riyadh July 3rd and have just finished today.
I'm not too happy with the quality of the photographs and the links may be considered tenuous but what the heck, I've done it (with help from Ed with the design)! The problem with the quality occured when I resized them; believe me I've tried everything and have only experienced this problem since using the laptop and a different system. Oh, well it's done and I have had immense fun and a lot of strange looks.
I was amazed to discover that to achieve 26 photographs I have taken 155 images; can anyone beat that, I think not (see how seriously I entered into this)?
BUT now....I'm feeling shy! Link will be up August 1st.

Now I have 129 surplus photographs, enough for nearly 5 more pages!

Somewhere a door opens, an overhead bell chimes and in sweeps the winds of change; the curious, capricious stalker we call fate. When the door closes, in several different parts of the world, the destinies of a handful of people begin an inexorable journey to seek some understanding of what has happened.
A dreadful realisation has hit Phil's Mother today and the sadness coming from her is overwhelming. She's quiet, far too quiet and suddenly she looks very tired.

Am I the only one rushing around like Patrick Lichfield with his lens cap on? It seemed like a terrific idea, 26 Things to photograph in July and so I happily snapped away at the beginning of the month. However, it is fast approaching the deadline and do you think I've managed the 'Authority' section? My idea was to photograph the Coast Guards at Latchi who sit on the balcony, look out to sea and drink Cypriot coffee all day. What a fantastic job! Well they became very tetchy when I focussed on them and with arms waving they hurled a string of Greek obuse in my direction, which left me in no doubt that they did not wish to be seen enjoying their job so much.
I also have umpteen photographs all of the same subject. Phil has been terrific and it was so sweet of him to cut a hole in his sock and then pose with his 'little piggy' sticking out of the top! Sorry, but I won't be using this....psst, he doesn't know and won't be too chuffed that he's ruined a perfectly good pair of socks.
Today, I achieved photographs for the 'Sound' and 'Empty' categories but received quite a few odd looks in the process and also the following helpful comment from the other half, "Empty, why don't you put the lens by your ear and photograph the inside of your head!?!" Ho, bleepin Ho. Bless his cotton socks (with holes in).
Anyway have to dash, I've got a sunset to capture.



Here is one I won't be using.

It has been very traumatic for members of the family and Phil and I have felt quite helpless being here in Cyprus. At times like this a family puts up a protective barrier and tries to make sense of things in their own way. Our love to Colin, Jenia, Olivia and Reid in America and particularly to Sara in the UK who is having to be brave for everyone at the moment.

Latchi today was calm and peaceful, just what we needed for quiet reflection.

Displayed under glass at the Atlanta airport in Georgia is Martin Luther King's preacher robe, his watch and the words: begging for a new day to dawn.
40 years on and society needs a new day to dawn, may it be soon before more lives are lost so tragically.

Sometimes there aren't enough words and those that there are, are futile.
An unimaginable tragedy struck on Sunday and therefore, I am suspending my Blog for a few days. My thoughts are particularly with one person who has been visiting this page most days for months now and has frequently joined us in the comments section.
You take with us our love.

We ended up in a Chinese restaurant last night and although we initially thought of take-away, we were greeted by so many waiters bobbing and nodding that we thought it would be rude to leave. Shuffling our way to a table in the window, we looked like Geisha's about to start a tea ceremony. The decor of these establishments must surely be cast-offs from the Cultural Revolution as I am sure no self -respecting Chinese Communist would be caught dead with these in their own homes.
Phil, it would seem, had read about Chinese history, enough to make the Great Leap Forward when the menu came. Obviously fearing 'famine', he ordered quantities of food to satisfy the appetites of a division of the Red Army. We then began the usual chopstick competition, "I bet I can pick up that pea!"
"Huh, that's nothing I can pick up that grain of rice!"
In true Chinese fashion, 'The Gale is Raging and the storm is About to Break', a commotion was occuring in the kitchen, if the noise coming from that direction was any indication. The door was suddenly flung open, wide enough to afford us a view of the kitchen occupants. Well it looked as though Mao Tse-tung and Deng Xiaoping were squaring up to each other and with shouts of "Ricken" and "Clackers" it would seem that another 'intra-party conflict was about to happen.'
Full of monosodium gluety stuff we headed back up the hill to our home singing, "Red is the East, the East is Red!"
What a fantastic evening!

The phone jarred me from my slumbers this morning (actually it was more like claws in the ceiling and what the heck's going on?). It was 5AM and Phil ringing from Amman to say that he was at the airport, YIPPEE!
So off I went to Larnaca this morning to pick up m'fella! We've been apart for 2 weeks but now we can begin our vacation; that is after we have tackled all of the maintenance jobs at the villa!
Popped off at Papantonios (supermarket) for more Keo's and lountza and then we headed up the hill to our home. I really can't be spending too long with you today as we have 5 bottles of Veuve Clicquot to quoff and an afternoon of sun and pool.

Every morning Monet's hands would shake when he picked up his brush and went to paint. When asked why, he replied, "because each morning I wonder whether I'll still be able to do it."
I know exactly how he felt because for the last three days I have been.....(drumroll)....painting! I was inspired to begin this new venture by the hot sultry weather outside and the shimmering blue of the water in the pool. To begin with I lacked the confidence and skill but it wasn't long before I was splashing and splodging the paint on. With each stroke of the brush I became more confident and my latent skills emerged like a butterfly from it's chrysalis.
Well I finished the masterpiece a few minutes ago and I have to say I even painted the frames; the doors have never looked better! I shall call it Nature's Touch, in brilliant white with a soft sheen.

Here is nature at its best; wonder if I could paint it?



Does anyone know what this plant is and why you should treat it with respect?

I felt that I needed to put something on the page for all of my readers in 'the Americas' (Yes, I'm quite big in Brazil!) and plus the fact that I can't think what to write about today!

Many years ago I began a new job, in a new school, in a new Key Stage, in a new country and with new colleagues. Being over keen to prove myself and ‘fit in’ with a new team, I was extremely concerned with how I conducted and presented myself. Be nice, take on board snippets of information about the people in your team so that you project yourself as caring and solicitous; indeed even ingratiating.
Straight away I picked up the information that one member of staff was leaving because they were about to have a baby within the month. So the very next day a colleague entered my room with a huge bulge in front and I, clever Sherlock that I am, put two and two together and decided congratulations were in order.
“Oh, how wonderful, what day is the baby due?”
“What baby, I’m not pregnant!”
Now most people would have quickly moved on but not me. When the going gets tough I dig myself in even further. I replied,
“Good grief girl, when you’re about to pass that wind let me know and we’ll evacuate the building!”
I would like to say that she was highly amused and that we embraced and were life long friends. Nope, she hated me and quite honestly I don’t blame her.
So where is this leading to you may well ask? You see sometimes I am just useless at saying the right things and they come out all wrong. What I wanted to say today was “love you both lots and it’s only because I’m thousands of miles from you both that my judgement is flawed!”

The BM needs new brakepads and so I rang Nichos the South African Cypriot who looks after the car.
"Hi, Lynne, no problem. Bring it down after 3 o'clock this afternoon. It could be just brake fluid so drive carefully!"
I also tentatively asked whether he had the necessary parts in stock and was informed, "we are European you know, guffaw, guffaw!"
Well call me scaredy pants if you like, but I've seen the films where the brakes fail as the car is hurtling through hairpin bends and Paphos is 10 kilometres downhill!
So gripping the wheel tighter than Eddie Irvine heading for the chequered flag at Silverstone, I drove down- town, ready to scream at any moment, "out of my way, I'm a woman out of control!"
Once at the garage Nichos sat me down, handed me Cypriot coffee (spit) and then went off to get the engineer. One hour later, three more Cypriot coffees, a violent headache (too much caffeine from the Cypriot coffees) and I was told,
"No problems, Lynne, bring it down tomorrow, we should have the parts by then! Would you like a cup of coffee?"

I never walk the normal streets favoured by the tourists but head for the back streets of Paphos old town because that is where the real Cypriots are.
These are a few photographs taken today as I wandered around after my adventure at the garage. The first is a balcony at the Kynaris Hotel, a delightful and very old establishment.



This photograph is for Edward, I hope he appreciates the significance!

Lunch out with friends again today; absolutely brilliant and such nice people. The setting for this taverna is so beautiful and the food was an excellent Sunday Buffet. I wanted to take photographs of the food for the Scavenger Hunt but for once I was a little embarrassed!

Fellow photographers, does this count for the animals section?

The power was off from 1.00am to 11.30 this morning and so I was hot and without my coffee. Chatted to Miss L and Holy Col (who always showers half way through!!!), cleaned the windows, decluttered our living space (chucked out the cheap stuff), chatted to Costas the Pool about acid and alkalinity, waved to the Kili Boys, declined webcam thingy with husband because I haven't washed my hair and then ate the biggest pork chop dripping with fat (like an explosion in a lard factory) in the world.

Happy Birthday Phil and I miss you lots.

Everyone seems to be off living their lives and leaving me with my own Blogging company. So when the boredom kicks in I open the fridge door, peep inside and extract any ingredients that, once thrown together, will result in a truly memorable dish.



The ingredients: plum tomatoes, red pepper, orange pepper, diced chicken pieces, garlic, corriander, olive oil (extra virgin ho ho ho) and a generous slug of wine (by mouth). Throw them all together and pop in the oven at a temperature of...bleepin' hot!



And how does one describe this little dish....yep spectacularly CRAP! Well you all left me to my own devices!

I was up with the lark this morning as I was a person with a mission. My intention today was to shop for pretty, pointy, beaded shoes and Cyprus is excellent for good quality inexpensive shoes.
I was off to a quick start having purchased the first pair (beige suede with beads and embroidery, fabulous!) before the plastic cover was taken off the cashout. There was a bounce in my step at this time as I trawled through the shoe shops of Paphos old town. What I hadn't taken into consideration was the heat! After three hours my jaunty step had degenerated into something that looked like Darcey Bussell in Doc Martins! I dragged myself into Kynaris for a drink and I must have been confused because when the waitress asked what I would like I replied 'cappuccino'! Not the best thirst quencher in the world.
So to cut to the quick, it has taken me the best part of the evening to rehydrate myself. I should know better! And did I buy any more shoes? Well that would be telling wouldn't it but you can just call me Imelda!

It would be good to think that what I am writing about today is a journey along a mental road infrequently travelled by me. (No, I refuse to be a wheel short of a hamster!) However, those in the know will attest to the fact that occasionally, I need to be told to sit down and in the process, calm down! We aren't actually talking 'anger management' here but more a kick up the bottom to get me to put things into perspective.
So today I fell on this article like seagulls on a bag of chips, it was one of the usual self-help types, filled with homilies and stories with morals. You know the sort, question what is important in life, don't come home harbouring a problem from work, surrender to the thought that life is not always fair (blah de blah). No it wasn't any of this that grabbed me by the jugular but more the title of the book that the article was about:

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff...(because very often it IS small stuff in the end!)

How very true.

I went out and bought new patio furniture yesterday and today it arrived!





Blog entry will be later on today!

It is really hot today with very high humidity and so I thought I would stay indoors by the AC unit. When you come from one hot country to another there doesn't seem to be any urgency to sit in the sun and get tanned.
I have mixed feelings about tanning as my father developed skin cancer late in life. Anyway, I tend to get very bored just lying there getting hot and uncomfortable. So I am a great exponent of the 'fake tan'!
Years ago they hadn't perfected the product and you could guarantee that anyone looking as orange as a baked bean had used a tanning product. Then there were the streaks and worst of all the hands. If you didn't wash your hands after using it your fingers looked like cheesy Wotsits for weeks. The very first time I used fake tan was when I was a student. When my flatmate saw me she went around clutching her sides making snorting noises as if she was trying to dislodge a family of slugs from her nostrils.

This photography business is really getting to me. I awoke at 6.00 this morning and because the light was so good I had to go out and snap a few piccies. Well mission accomplished I then needed something to occupy myself with until coffee and toast time and so I headed on back to bed with a copy of OK magazine. This is some read, I must tell you, and kept me turning pages for 2 hours! Now this publication may be quite commonplace with everyone in the UK but I get to read it only when I'm in Cyprus. The first thing to get my attention was the White Tie and Tiara Ball hosted by Sir Elton and his partner. There was Kylie, Liz (Hurley not Miss L!), Lulu, David and Victoria, an ice replica of Moscow's St Basils Cathedral and snow on all of the bushes! It was no surprise to see Sarah Ferguson (posh totty) in and with Dolce and Gabbana, if you get my drift, but amazing that Coronation Streets Gail was there and not Alfie Moon and Cat from Albert Square!
I have to confess that most of what was contained in the magazine was new to me in particular the vocabulary. Apparently Victoria Beckham is Blingin and The Cheeky Girls (DER?) are Mingin. If anyone can explain I would be grateful and is it a hard 'g' or a soft 'g' and who are The Cheeky Girls?

I was invited out for lunch today by friends and had an excellent time. We travelled along a dirt track, just off Zelemenos, and ended up at Vatouthka. This is a lovely rustic taverna in the middle of nowhere, with excellent food and spectacular views.
Whilst quaffing a few glasses of red the Fun Bus Adventure tours arrived with a bunch of happy English tourists out for, believe it or not, peace, quiet, a few drinks and a nice time. It was the tour operator that was going slightly OTT by putting ice down peoples tops and standing on the chair shouting, "Are we all having a good time?" Perhaps he was concerned that these subdued tourists who wanted nothing more than to take pictures of donkeys, were not having a "Fun Tour" and he would be struck off the Cyprus Tourist Boards list of things to do in Cyprus.
So I have an idea! I could buy a bus and take people from Paphos up to the Adonis Falls and then for lunch in a lovely taverna. I would allow them to have a quiet lunch in beautiful surroundings. I would recommend that they taste the local wine that is smooth on the palette, I would invite them to meander through the lemon groves and then take photographs of those donkeys. It just might work.



The colour's not too bad.

And it just has to be done, a donkey.

I have arrived after a very exhausting journey. The good news is that the villa is fine, the garden is lovely (just have to sort out all of the irrigation systems which seem to be switched off by the gardener, it's a crafty way of stopping the weeds from growing but unfortunately kills off the other plants and shrubs in the process!) and the new wall and patio are excellent.
I was able to take 6 photographs in Riyadh for my photographic scavenger hunt so I am well pleased. I am working with an Arabic keyboard and it has been 3 months since I put photographs on the page using the lap-top so I am going to try and sort this out so that I can show Phil the new wall.
You do not know how wonderful it is to be here, well I think Jill will understand.

My case is packed, the lap-top is ready, tickets, passport (with visa) are in my bag, 2.15pm tomorrow I begin my journey to Cyprus for 2 months. By Friday I hope to do my Blog entry from the villa in Kamares.
It has been a very tiring and stressful 3 months and I am ready to go to our home in Paphos. So why not join me there, virtually speaking, on Friday.