Jane and Bill pick us up after her physio (actually massage cum acupuncture) appointment, and we head north of the border in hopes of finding black corduroy, which seems to be a breed on the verge of extinction. Bill has told us about a fabric warehouse/sales place in Famagusta. He's been there once before and is hoping that memory together with some verbal directions will do it. And it does. We spot the landmark mosque with twin minarets and circle back behind the road it's on and there it is, obviously the fabric building as it's so full that rolls of material appear to be oozing out the door. The inside is astonishing, with ten times the amount of fabric that would have made a full warehouse crammed to the high ceiling, and threatening to choke off the narrow pathways that lead through it as if it were a maze. Impossible to walk without stepping on cotton or lace as the ends of rolls slide underfoot. Not for the claustrophobic. Can they possibly get fire insurance? J and Bill discover a small fire extinguisher in the doorway, almost hidden by fabric. And do they have black corduroy? Unfortunately, no. J is impressed, though, as the man leads us through a hundred foot tunnel of cloth to view the only corduroy they possess, a fairly vibrant terra cotta. Does he know the location of every roll in the building? Sorry not to have found the black corduroy, but the building itself well worth the price of admission.
We're lucky to have come on a Thursday, though, as Famagusta's weekly market is on. Fruit and vegetables in gleaming jewel tone heaps that would not have disgraced Selfridge's Food Hall. Deep purple aubergines, brilliant oranges, tomatoes. Also stalls with clothing, hardware, costume jewellery. My favourite spot - not even a stall - with one new style broom next to one traditional twig broom. On the edge of the market are bedding plants, small trees ready for transplant and barbecue supplies. We stop on the way back at a roadside café for lunch. The chips that I don't finish would feed four people easily. Good fish and Cypriot sandwiches. Lovely day, warm and breezy.
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