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Pelendri Zivania Festival

 We set out on a crisp November morning, excited for the Zivania Festival in Pelendri. Our friends Steve and Mary joined us, eager to experience the lively festivities and, of course, sample some of Cyprus's famed Zivania. As we entered Pelendri, the village was buzzing with life—locals and visitors alike filled the streets, wandering among stalls offering everything from handmade crafts to delicious Cypriot sweets. The aroma of souvlaki cooking over open flames wafted through the air, mingling with the crisp mountain breeze.

The village square was where the heart of the festival beat strongest. A traditional Cypriot band played on stage, the lilting sounds of the bouzouki mixing with upbeat folk songs. We joined the crowd, clapping along as locals danced, the joy on their faces contagious. Steve and Mary couldn’t help but be swept up by the energy, and we laughed as they tried a few steps with some locals, their enthusiasm more than making up for their lack of rhythm.

By early afternoon, we made our way to the Symposio restaurant, where the owner, Nicos, greeted us warmly. He treated us like family, ushering us to a large table and soon, a feast arrived. The meze kept coming—tender lamb, halloumi, tahini, and a parade of other traditional dishes, each more flavorful than the last. Nicos insisted we try his favorite Zivania, and we toasted to good friends and a wonderful day.

As the sun dipped behind the mountains, casting a warm glow over the village, we reluctantly

our farewells and set off back to Pissouri. The drive home was filled with laughter and contentment, our hearts full from a day of tradition, friendship, and true Cypriot hospitality.

Pafos FC in Europe

European  conference football returned to the Limassol stadium with the match between Pafos FC against Astana of Kazakhstan.

On a notably cooler evening in Cyprus, the crowd were bundled up against the drop in temperatures. 

Pafos completely dominated the game but wasted numerous chances in front of goal .

Pafos had to wait until the 87th minute before Anderson headed in a deserved winner.

Halloween and The Big storm

The charity group, The Pissouri jewellery club held their Halloween party in the Ampeli restaurant.  There were a number of good costumes and along with quality food and spooky drinks,  a good night was had by all.

A huge electrical storm, said to be the most severe in fifeteen, swept into Cyprus on Saturday and Pissouri felt the brunt of it. We were sitting in the Pissouri square coffee shop when the heavens opened up, along with high winds the streets soon resembled small rivers as the water cascaded down. 

As we sat enjoying a quiet drink, the door burst open and approximately 30 youngsters came running in try to escape the weather. 

The Mystery Bus trip

 It was an early start on a beautiful morning for this year's Mystery Bus trip. We joined around 35 people who boarded the bus in Pissouri and headed towards Limassol and then to The Troodos mountains. 

Our first stop was a The Katerina Cyprus Sweets near the village of Dhoros. The number of homemade sweets, jams and picked items is very extensive. 

We then drove towards the Troodos mountains, slowly climbing upwards through the tree lined vallies. Our destination was The Troodos botanical gardens. We walked over to the visitors centre where we listened to a talk about the mountain  region and the history of the local asbestos mine by a Park ranger.

We then had some time to stroll around the small garden area and  admire the forest  views towards Limassol. We did notice  the drop in temperature as we were at nearly 2000 metres. 

We then stopped off at a view point that overlooks the site of the old Amiantos Mine, which once again gives tremendous views of the surrounding area.

We drove on through Platres and continued the steep descent to the outskirts of the village of Omodos where our next stop was the Oenou Yi winery. 

Firstly we went out out onto the veranda to take in the view of the surrounding vineyards and the village Omodos just a kilometre away.

We then took a informative tour of the  fermentation plant, the storage area, the bottling plant and the area of wooden casks that stores their "Holy Cross" .

Then we walked up to one of the tasting rooms where we tasted 3 white wines, one red wine and a glass of the Holy Cross desert wine. We then bought a couple of bottles of our favourite wine, the Xynisteri.

Refuelled and it was back on the bus and we headed for our lunch stop at Agios Amvrosios at the Sykaminia taverna. 

Lunch was a mini meze and a bottle of wine from the local Zambartas winery served in the taverna's picturesque courtyard .

From Agios Amvrosios it was the just a short journey back home to Pissouri after an enjoyable day out. A big "Thank you" to Tanya and Bob for organising the whole day out.

The 3rd Annual ΟίνοFest in Lofu

The day of the 3rd Annual ΟίνοFest wine festival arrived with the early autumn sun casting its warm light over Pissouri , Mandy and I were excited for the scenic drive ahead to Lofu. It was one of those ideal mornings in Cyprus – clear skies, a slight breeze, and the hint of adventure in the air. We hopped into the car, eager for a day of good wine, beautiful views, and local culture.

As we left Pissouri, we meandered up the winding roads, with the countryside unfolding around us in a patchwork of olive groves and vineyards, stretching out over the hillsides.

Arriving in Lofu, we parked and followed the sound of music drifting through the narrow, cobbled streets towards the festival. The village itself was charming – narrow alleys lined with stone houses, some draped with vines heavy with grapes.

We started by exploring the various wine stalls, each one with proud winemakers offering samples of their creations. Mandy’s eyes sparkled as we tried our first sip of the locally crafted red. It was smooth, with hints of berries and spice – just what we hoped for from the region. Moving from stall to stall, we tasted a little of everything: full-bodied reds, crisp whites, and a delightful rosé. Each wine had its own unique character, reflecting the land and the hard work of the people who made it.

As we were sipping a glass of wine we bumped into the owner of the local florist in Pissouri, Thekla and her husband George, so we sat with them and chatted in the sunshine of the courtyard.

As the day wore on, we wandered through the craft stalls and admired the local pottery, hand-woven textiles, and intricately painted ceramics,

We has another glass of wine while we listened to the very good live band playing Funk Jazz.

All to soon it was time to make our way back to Pissouri and let the 6 O'clock party begin in Lofu.

Laneia Market Fair

On a beautiful, sunny Autumn day, with just the right touch of warmth in the air, we made our way to Laneia, a charming little village nestled in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains. The sky was clear and blue, and the sun cast a golden glow over the village, giving it a postcard-perfect quality. 

Laneia Market Fair, which we had heard so much about, had transformed the village square into a bustling hub of activity. About 25 stalls were set up, each one brimming with handmade crafts, delicious local foods, and quirky knick-knacks.

The first stall we approached was full of vibrant pottery, each piece carefully crafted by hand. Mandy was drawn to a beautifully glazed bowl in shades of blue and green that seemed to reflect the Mediterranean Sea.

 I watched as she chatted with the artisan about the inspiration behind his designs, while I admired a set of hand-carved olive wood spoons.

After strolling through the narrow cobblestone streets, exploring the market stalls filled with local crafts, handmade pottery, and delicious Cypriot delicacies, owe decided to rest at a cozy coffee shop nestled in the heart of the village square.

 The square itself was shaded by large, old trees, their branches casting dappled sunlight onto the surrounding buildings.

Our visit to Laneia's church, The Virgin Mary of Lania, was a step back in time.Our visit to Laneia's church, The Virgin Mary of Lania, was a step back in time.

 The church stood out against the backdrop of the surrounding greenery. Its white stone exterior, built from the local area’s materials, gleamed softly in the sunlight, giving the church a sense of purity.

After leaving the charming square of Laneia, we began our walk back through the village's narrow, winding streets. The sun filtered through the trees, casting soft shadows on the cobblestones. The air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers from the small gardens that seemed to spill out of every corner.

As we strolled along, hand in hand, we couldn’t help but admire the beautifully renovated houses lining the streets, each one unique in its own way. Some were painted in soft pastels, while others had exposed stone walls that hinted at the village’s long history. Quirky decorations adorned several of the homes—brightly colored ceramic pots hung on walls, and little wooden signs with sayings like "Kalos Orisate" welcomed visitors.

As we neared the car, parked just outside the village, we glanced back at Laneia, the village had a quiet charm that felt timeless, and we knew we’d return to wander its streets again.