Northern Cyprus- Kibris Revisited

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I find myself at more or less in the 59th minute of the 11th hour (well, this might be a minor exaggeration), but this blog will be a lightning summary of an idyllic ten days in Northern Cyprus. Also, the photos are in pretty raw format, apologies.

We arrived in Cyprus a little later than planned, delayed flights and so forth. My big brother Charlie, and his lovely lady Lesley were also out for some of the time, and it was the first time Mum had had both of her boys together for...longer than we could remember.

Most of what we got up to involved than spending masses of time chatting (and drinking a little much) and was dosed at times with helium balloons, a thousand cups of tea and childhood photos and letters. Golden moments. Mum had a party for most of her friends which also coincided, rather nicely, with her sons' birthdays; we also went to a party where the Brothers Budd did a little light wine-waiting for the expat community while our lady loves snacked and supped. We went up St. Hilarion, a Crusader-era castle on the top of the Kyrenia Range with probably one of the most spectacular views in the world. We swam in the sea and a pool, always highlights; stuffed ourselves to oblivion and beyond on fresh seafood, hummus, meze and olives; revelled in the (mostly) 30 degree heat. Having the chance to catch up with Dad and his lady, Layle, twice, for a great dinner and then lunch plus shopping was ace. First-time meeting for him and his new daughter-in-law! One downside was Mum's (car's) head gasket giving up the ghost, which necessitated some stress and a few days of being immobile. However, the silver lining was some well-needed R&R and time to do nothing.

All in all, a brief but brilliant patch on our three-week house-moving oddyssey. I think the photos sum it all up better than my ramblings.

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