Mum and Dad's White Knuckle Ride...

Today didn't quite pan out as expected.  

Dad was supposed to be walking around Kritou Terra which is across the road from Droushia and which is notable for the following reason...

The first casino in Cyprus operated in Kritou Terra. It was housed in a building which had been constructed between the years 1860 and 1870, and which is located east of the school. The casino began operating during the Turkish occupation, in particular in 1878, and stopped operating at the beginning of the 20th century. This pioneering idea at the time belonged to a villager, Savvas Makrides, who also managed the operation of the casino. Describing this special venture, the following words were written about Makrides: “He dared to do the unthinkable for the time by bringing women from Turkey, Syria and Lebanon, who did belly dancing at the casino while the customers were playing cards and gambling in general”.  

As it is distinctively mentioned, the visitors of the casino were mainly Turks, as well as the “elite of the Middle East”. Among those who added a special glamour to the casino with their presence was the king of Egypt, Namouk.

Sounds like it was quite a place in its time!!  Anyway Dad had decided that he wouldn't do the walk because he is having a bit of a problem with his hips at the moment - it could be arthritis and so he wants to find out whether walking will aggravate it.  We had suggested that Mum and Dad come up to us and I would do a bit of lunch and if the weather was nice then we could do a gentle walk up here.  I had also invited Trish and Alan if they wanted to come - Jane and John were doing the Kritou Terra walk being keen and able walkers themselves but Alan phoned this morning to say that Trish was away to her bed so they wouldn't be coming.

The weather today was better than forecast so the sunset last night had been a good omen.  We had coffee sat outside and Dad was able to look at the conservatory work so far and we decided that we would take a drive out of Droushia on the walk we did with Vix but then head off down to Latchi and walk along the coastal path as it is nice and flat, have a drink in Faros and then return for lunch.

As you know the countryside around Droushia is beautiful and particularly  so at this time of the year - I guess the goats would agree with that as it is so lush for their grazing at the moment - and if you have read the blog before you know that the rock formations around here are particularly noteworthy.  Things started well, lovely scenery and beautiful sunshine.  The kids in the back (Mum and Dad) were behaving themselves - no cries of 'are we there yet' or 'I feel sick' and no squabbling either!  

The reason for the lush growth is very evident as there is one hell of a lot of water around still - we have never seen such flowing water although Dad says he has walked around this area before in the summer and there was some water around then.  We veered away from the walk we had done with Vix and headed down towards the coast.  John was sure that we had been that way before but I wasn't as I didn't recognise any of it and worryingly we weren't entirely sure where the road went - or if there was a road to follow.

This is the first point at which Dad got out of the car to look to see whether or not we would be able to get past safely.  I got out (a) to take a photograph (b) because I was feeling a bit nervous and (c) to lighten the car!!! Mum resolutely sat in the back - good for her!  

John remained stoic throughout and was never really worried although there was very little road, lots of soft, soft mud and bugger all space to turn round.  

This is the second time that Dad got out to look at the road - this photograph doesn't show how difficult the terrain actually was - it was very soft and there was a huge boulder that John had to avoid whilst keeping up sufficient revs to make it through the mud.  Again Mum stayed in the car - I reckon at this point she was frozen by fear!  It was hairy to say the least but again John said it was never in doubt!  Still what is the point of having a 4x4 and not using it??  It was a beautiful route if only we could have appreciated it a bit more!

We decided to stop off at YaYa's for coffee before heading on down to the coast.  Again it was lovely to be able to sit out in the sunshine and warm sunshine at that.  We were amused by a little girl there who was busy polishing the tables - a waitress in the making!

Mum and I were walking from Polis camp-site along the coast path all the way to Latchi Marina.  Dad went with John in the car to leave it at Latchi and then walked part way to meet Mum and I.  It was beautiful and the sea was a fantastic colour.  I was on the lookout for some discarded fishing net floats but was unsuccessful this time and, as I have been told it is illegal to remove pebbles from the beach, had to curb my passion for pretty stones!

En route I came across some of the tiny indigenous wild iris plants - these are the most brilliant blue but so small could easily be overlooked. 

We also came across this small boat Dad was amazed by it - can't see that it will be going out to sea anytime soon - just look at the amount of water sitting in it and I am guessing that quite a bit overflowed!  Fortunately the flood water that prevented Vix and I walking on the path by the marina has subsided so we managed to go right along the coast and then up by the side of the shops.  

I was looking for a thermometer to go in the conservatory when it is finished and whilst rummaging in one of the shops found one - Mum found some earrings - like you do!!!  Anyway as the earrings were half price she had to have them!  As we sat down for a well earned drink in Faros we realised that time was getting on and we hadn't had lunch.

It being a pikey day out all the way along the walk Mum and I were looking out for wood and at the very start had seen a huge piece washed up on the beach that Mum only thought we could carry with us down to the Marina - we didn't be we insisted on going back for it before returning home.  John wasn't impressed because we had to debarnacle it before he would let us put it in the car and it did smell a bit on the way home but it was a fantastic piece of wood!

My chicken casserole went down a treat and John lit the fire early so it was toasty warm in the house and we spent the remainder of the afternoon chilling by the fire (an oxymoron surely?).   Another day done!