Sunday, April 12/2026

Oleander and hibiscus a bit on the slow side but other members of the hedge now admitting it’s spring. Shirt sleeve weather outside, or would be if it weren’t for the windiness. Reminds me of Aesop’s fable about the contest between Mr Sun and Mr Wind, first encountered in an old schoolbook of my father’s. The challenge is to make a man take off his coat, and of course the sun wins. Had the challenge been to make him put on a jacket there would have been a different winner, even with the sun trying its best.

The TRNC coalition government has postponed debate on cost of living allowances for at least a week. No doubt pleased to have the excuse of “global uncertainties and sensitivities in society”, enabling Prime Minister Ustel to say that the decision had been taken with the aim of “reducing social tension and creating a basis for consensus”.

Meanwhile conflict amongst the neighbours continues, with Netanyahu and Türkiye’s President Erdoğan trading insults, an art at which both are fairly accomplished. Presumably escalation not truly of benefit to either.

Saturday, April 11/2026

 Lovely day for market but vendors, and for that matter customers, a bit thin on the ground. Dogs always enjoy the market though. Spot one taking a nap on a disintegrating sofa outside one of the market buildings.

Criegan here having a market breakfast, so we stop for a chat. Very un-Turkish - bacon, egg and sausage with toast. Attracts a black lab who clearly would like to share but keeps a (barely) polite distance.

And as usual unable to resist a couple of acquisitions at the book stall, where a small cat is curled up on top of one of the book displays.

Meanwhile the state of the world continues bizarre as ever. Dimitri Lascaris currently reporting from Iran and Lebanon with video clips. His usual clear analysis.

Friday, April 10/2026

 

Sad beginning to the day. Ralph posts that Horst Gutowski died yesterday. Had known that he hadn’t been well but don’t think anyone was expecting his death. A remarkable man - kind, generous, energetic and a friend to everyone. He will be widely missed.

Amongst his many talents, Horst was the brewmaster extraordinaire of the glögg at the annual pre-Christmas gathering. Much nicer than mulled wine, it was made with schnapps instead of wine and included raisins and walnuts in the bottom of the cup. More complex than wine and stayed steaming hot rather than subsiding into sweet tepidness like mulled wine.

We’re having a discussion round the table at the Blue Song - actually about Ladas being shipped to Poland - when a man comes over and apologises for overhearing but says he is Polish and has some contributions to make to the discussion. J talks further to him later. His name is Jan and he’s a permanent resident here.

Thursday, April 9/2026

It rained in the night so we awake to see the mountain and clouds reflected in the water on the terrace tiles. Can see that the ideal way to photograph this would be lying prone on the wet tiles but my commitment to photography is insufficient. 

Sunny all day, though, and the sheets dry in no time. 

Reaching the point of looking into the fridge and realising that everything there has to be consumed - or otherwise disposed of - in the foreseeable future. Fortunately excess butter and cheese translate fairly satisfactorily into rock cakes and cheese biscuits. Celery?

Wednesday, April 8/2026

Looking down at the Mediterranean from the salon. Cypress tree left of centre is our wind sock. It leans permanently a little to the east because the prevailing wind is westerly but when the wind is strong, like today, it hits about 22 degrees or more from vertical.

Go to check tomorrow’s weather - continuing sunny - and note with surprise that London, at six in the evening, is still registering 25 degrees. Quite amazing in early April.

The public employees’ strike continues here. No more negotiations so a standoff so far. Sounds a little like the Middle East war, although less bizarre. 

Tuesday, April 7/2026

 

Now this is more like it. Sunny on the terrace. Good breeze for drying clothes. Temperature perfect for pouring a gin on ice.

Though somewhat less than perfect in the political sphere. Protests continue here regarding the suspension of cost of living payments for public workers. Health care workers are not withdrawing their services for now. Some others are, including teachers. The first sign of which was the cheerful sound of children playing in the neighbourhood today. Not everyone unhappy it seems. 

And then of course there’s Trump threatening to destroy a civilisation by tomorrow….

Monday, April 6/2026

Lucky to be invited to Easter Monday dinner at Beverley and John’s house. Beverley has made a super Asian meal, much better than any we have actually eaten in China, though that was a long time ago. 

Lovely pace to their meals. Start with a Thai lime and chicken soup. And then egg rolls with mushrooms in the filling. Followed by Mongolian beef,  curried chicken, pork with apricot, Asian vegetables and noodles. Beautifully distinct flavours.  Would have been more than complete, but John has made his classic crepes for dessert - and we find room! Best, of course, is the company, which would have been good if we’d been eating sandwiches.

Pat kindly gives us a ride home, though she actually lives in the opposite direction. She leaves this week to go back to Scotland for the summer.

Sunday, April 5/2026

Easter cigar. Overlooking the Mediterranean. Neighbours’ grapevine beginning to sport leaves.

Sunny morning. Afternoon showers, but we have freshly baked rock cakes and an F1 film to watch. Then J roasts a chicken with vegetables and we open a bottle of Bordeaux. No egg hunt, but we had stashed away two of our favourite Maximus chocolate bars for dessert.