A Tale of Two birthdays

 

Rob’s cousin, Lee, celebrated his birthday back home in South Wales in the best way possible — by spending the day with his two children, Jude and Cari. Instead of a quiet celebration, Lee chose fun and laughter, taking the kids to a lively amusement park filled with colourful rides, treats, and plenty of excitement.

 From the moment they arrived, Jude and Cari were buzzing with energy, darting from ride to ride while Lee enjoyed watching their faces light up. It was a perfect birthday outing — simple, joyful, and full of family moments to treasure.

Mandy’s hairdresser — and dear friend — Sarah celebrated her 60th birthday in wonderful style with a lively party at the SBA base in Episkopi. Friends, family, and well-wishers gathered to mark this special milestone, filling the evening with laughter, music, and warm conversation. It was a joyful celebration for a much-loved lady, and Mandy was delighted to share in Sarah’s unforgettable birthday festivities.

Earthquakes and Gala ball

This week brought an unexpected jolt to life in Pissouri as a 5.0-magnitude earthquake rippled through the village. For a few surreal seconds the whole house shook around us — cupboards rattling, floor trembling, and that strange mix of adrenaline and disbelief settling in. 

It was over quickly, but the feeling lingered: a reminder of nature’s power and how small moments can shake more than just the walls. As we stood there afterwards, taking it all in, we couldn’t help but reflect on how swiftly an ordinary day can turn extraordinary.

Mandy enjoyed a glamorous evening at a charity gala ball held at the elegant Columbia Hotel in Pissouri Bay. Joined by several friends, she spent the night surrounded by good company, great music, and a warm community spirit. One of the highlights of the event was a lively performance by Stavros Flatley, whose energetic act brought laughter and a fantastic buzz to the room. It was a memorable night in a beautiful setting, all in support of a wonderful cause in Pissouri bay.

Christmas market, Village Art and Visitors from Wales

The festive season is truly upon us, and this weekend we found ourselves surrounded by the sights, sounds, and scents of Christmas at the Kvides Christmas Market here in Cyprus. The event was held inside the village’s huge church hall, which was beautifully decorated and buzzing with festive cheer from the moment the doors opened.

Mandy had her own stall selling handmade beaded jewellery, each piece carefully crafted and shimmering under the twinkling Christmas lights. From delicate beaded Angel's and crosses to tree decorations and earrings. Her creations caught the eye of many visitors browsing through the hall. It was lovely to see people stopping to chat, admiring her work, and picking out gifts for family and friends.

And of course, Santa himself made an appearance, delighting the children with gifts and plenty of laughter. Though, by the end of the long and busy day, we couldn’t help but notice that Santa had nodded off in his chair—clearly even Father Christmas needs a little rest after so much excitement!

A new "Art" design has been erected at the entrance of the village it depicts the association between Haloumi cheese and the village.

Mandy's cousin, Chris, and his wife, Jane, made a brief visit to Pissouri. We met them down at the Captain's Bay restaurant for a lunch overlooking the Mediterranean  sea and a catch up on family News.

Car Boot and a Birthday tea

A lively car boot sale took place in Pissouri this weekend, with over two dozen cars turning up to sell all sorts of treasures. There was a fantastic turnout of buyers browsing the stalls under the warm Cyprus sun. Mandy’s Beaded Angels proved especially popular, with sales brisk throughout the morning — a real success all round!

After a morning of selling, we took the chance to pop over to the Midway restaurant for a cooling drink and a lovely roast lamb dinner.

Back in South wales, the family gathered to celebrate  Pat’s 78th birthday. The highlight of the day was a special visit from her grandchildren, Jude and Cari, who brought plenty of smiles and laughter. Everyone gathered for a relaxed afternoon tea, complete with homemade cakes, sandwiches, and a few sweet treats. It was a wonderful family occasion — full of love, chatter, and happy memories to cherish.

Day 3 Famagusta

On another beautiful morning , we made an early start and took the opportunity to visit one of Cyprus’s most haunting and fascinating places — the ghost city of Varosha. Once a glamorous seaside resort in the 1970s, frequented by the rich and famous, it now stands eerily silent, frozen in time since the Turkish invasion of 1974.

To explore this mysterious area, we hired a golf buggy and were fortunate to have a young man named Hussein as our driver and guide. Friendly, warm, and incredibly knowledgeable, Hussein shared stories and historical insights that brought the abandoned streets and crumbling buildings to life. His passion for the area’s history was evident as he pointed out once-luxurious hotels, now standing in decayed grandeur, slowly being reclaimed by nature.

He even stopped at the local beach, where we found ourselves completely alone. The sand was golden and the sea calm and clear, yet the silence made it feel almost surreal. Just decades ago, this beach would have been packed with sunbathers and swimmers. Now, only the sound of the waves remains.

As we drove through the silent streets, the old decaying buildings loomed like echoes of a lost era. Balconies hung by threads, faded shop signs clung to cracked walls, and rusted cars sat where they had been abandoned half a century ago. It was a sight to behold — utterly fascinating, but deeply tragic too.

Visiting Varosha felt like stepping into a living time capsule. It’s a place that tells a powerful story of hope, loss, and the fragility of peace.

We returned to the walled city of Famagusta and decided to explore and see the City views from on top of the historic walls.

In the evening we walked over to the local square where the late afternoon sunshine showed off the old buildings superbly. 

We then strolled over to the Aspava Restaurant & Bar restaurant where we enjoyed a excellent meal with great service. 

Famagusta Day 2

The day started with Rob walking down to the local Turkish barbers for a haircut and hot towel shave. There was not to much conversation between customer and barber due to the language barrier, but the outcome for Rob was very good.

We then took a stroll around the ruins of Church of Saint George of Latins and the walls of Othello Tower. There really  are a remarkable number of historical buildings and ruins in Famagusta. 

We then took a drive along the coast road that runs along Famagusta bay. The amount of new construction on this road is quite amazing. We stopped off for a coffee at the town of Bogaz at roadside bar and to admire the views out to sea.

We then headed back to the old city and went over to Palm beach, which has changed so much since we were last there in 2011.

In the evening we strolled up to the Fa kebab which is close to the White tower gate of the old city wall. The Fa kebab was well used by the locals, which is always a good sign.

We finished off the evening at the Ravelin Gate restaurant for a night cap. Across the road was a brick a brack shop, where outside a few older locals were enjoying their drinks.