A visit to the Troodos Forest

 On a beautifully warm Sunday morning, we joined our good friends Steve and Mary for a scenic road trip from Pissouri into the heart of the Troodos Forest.

As we climbed into the mountains and passed through the village of Arsos, the landscape transformed dramatically. The rolling countryside gave way to breathtaking valleys blanketed in lush forests, with spectacular views stretching as far as the eye could see.

Our first stop was the charming and wonderfully quirky village of Founi. We wandered to the local coffee shop, where we had an unexpected and heartwarming encounter with a fellow Pissouri resident. Insisting on treating us, she bought us freshly brewed coffee and generous slices of her delicious homemade ginger cake. Sitting beneath the shade of towering trees, cooled by a gentle mountain breeze, we couldn't have imagined a more relaxing start to the day.

Afterwards, we took a leisurely stroll through Founi's narrow, winding streets, admiring the traditional stone houses before arriving at the beautiful Church of Timiou Stavrou, one of the village's historic landmarks.

Back on the road, our next stop was the Tsiakkas Winery, perched high above the surrounding countryside. The panoramic views across the vine-covered hillsides were simply stunning, making it the perfect place to pause and soak up the scenery.

From there, we continued to the picturesque village of Agros, where we had reserved lunch at the Koiláda Restaurant. Even before stepping inside, the mouthwatering aroma from the enormous souvla pit told us we were in for a treat. Rows of meats slowly roasting over charcoal created an irresistible welcome. The staff were exceptionally friendly and attentive, and we happily whiled away a couple of hours enjoying a superb traditional meal in the cool shade of the courtyard.

Our final village stop was Koilani. We made our way to Maria's Taverna, where a refreshing cold beer was exactly what we needed after a day of exploring. The owner also introduced us to their delicious cherry-flavoured Zivania, which we enjoyed while relaxing on the balcony overlooking the village below—a wonderful way to experience genuine Cypriot hospitality.

As the afternoon drew to a close, we made our way back to Pissouri, but the day wasn't quite over. We finished our adventure at the Bay Tree Bar, enjoying a couple of well-earned sundowners while listening to the wonderful live performance of Svitlana Gordiiwnko in the courtyard.

It was the perfect ending to a long, relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable day exploring some of the most beautiful villages and mountain scenery that the Troodos Forest has to offer. If you're looking to escape the summer heat of the coast, this route makes for a fantastic day out and is one we can highly recommend.

Andrew Browning tribute to George Micheal

 Mandy, Jayne and Barry headed over to the popular venue for an evening of great food, good company and outstanding entertainment, as Andrew Browning took to the stage with his acclaimed tribute to the legendary George Michael.

From the very first song, it was clear the audience was in for something special. The restaurant was packed, creating a wonderful atmosphere as fans of George Michael sang along to classic hits including Faith, Careless Whisper, Freedom! '90, and many more.

Andrew Browning captured not only the sound of George Michael but also his stage presence, delivering an energetic and heartfelt performance that had the audience dancing, clapping and singing throughout the evening.

The packed crowd thoroughly enjoyed a tremendous show, rewarding every performance with enthusiastic applause. It was a fitting tribute to one of Britain's greatest musical icons and a memorable evening for everyone in attendance.

Lisa and Anrew's Aussie Video 2026 Part Two

The Video of Part Two of the Aussie Adventure 2026.

 The Aventure continues, reaching Queensland, our two travellers visit Mooloolaba, the Whitsunday Islands, Airlie beach, Guyhalungra, Hugheden.

They then Crossed over in the Northern Territory and visited Alice Springs, Mary Kathleen Mine, The Devi's Marbles and Davenport.

                                            Link at   The Austrialian Adventure

Heatwave, irock and back to college

Mid-July brought an intense heatwave to Cyprus, with temperatures in the inland areas soaring to 44°C. The exceptionally hot weather also placed a heavy demand on the electricity network, resulting in a number of intermittent power cuts across the island.

Back in the UK, our goddaughter, Cari, proudly took the lead vocals at her school's iRock concert—a wonderful achievement.

 Meanwhile, on the other side of the world in Australia, Lisa has begun an exciting new chapter, starting her new role at a college in Alice Springs. We wish her every success and happiness in her new position.

British Armed Forces Day in Cyprus

 On a hot but beautiful day, we made our way down to the Episkopi Military Base and continued on to their beach area known as Tunnel Beach. The occasion was Armed Forces Day (UK), and the setting could not have been better.

Beyond simply enjoying the festivities, it was also a great opportunity for Mandy to set up a stall showcasing her handmade beaded products. The event itself was extremely well organised, with a wide range of stalls offering food, crafts, and activities for all ages.

 Entertainment was provided throughout the day, starting with music from DJ Phill, followed later by tribute performances celebrating Gary Barlow and Robbie Williams. The atmosphere was relaxed and family-oriented, with people enjoying themselves both on the shore and in the sea.

One of the standout moments came around midday when a large military helicopter arrived overhead. It hovered dramatically above the beach before performing an impressive manoeuvre, almost “bowing” to the crowd along the shoreline. It was a striking display of flying skill and drew plenty of attention from everyone watching.

By the time we left, the bead stall had enjoyed a steady flow of interest, and we were all sun-tanned and pleasantly tired. It had been a long but thoroughly enjoyable day—well organised, well attended, and full of memorable moments.

A evening on the Wavedancer

 An Evening to Remember – Sailing from Paphos Harbour

Mandy, Tania, Dawn and Kuli set off from Pissouri and made the scenic drive across to Paphos Harbour for what turned out to be a memorable evening aboard the Wave Dancer.

With the harbour alive with activity and the late afternoon sunshine reflecting across the water, there was a real sense of anticipation as they boarded for the evening cruise. From the moment the boat left the harbour and headed out along the coast, the atmosphere on board was superb — relaxed, lively and full of holiday spirit.

Guests enjoyed excellent food and drinks throughout the evening while taking in the beautiful views of the Cypriot coastline and some great enterainment.. There was plenty of time to sit back, enjoy the sea breeze and soak up the atmosphere as day slowly turned to evening.

One of the highlights of the cruise was the spectacular sunset. The sky transformed into shades of gold, orange and pink, creating a perfect backdrop and a reminder of why evenings in Cyprus can feel so special.

As if that wasn’t enough, the evening finished in style with an impressive fireworks display lighting up the night sky and bringing the cruise to a memorable close.

It was an evening filled with good company, wonderful scenery, great food and unforgettable moments — another special memory made in Cyprus.

Day 2 Sailing on the Sabrina

On a warm and sunny morning, we made our way down to Kyrenia's picturesque waterfront. Before our cruise, we stopped at one of the harbour-side restaurants for breakfast, enjoying the wonderful views of the fishing boats and yachts gently bobbing on the crystal-clear water.

                               

After breakfast, we strolled along the quay to board the Sabrina for a leisurely cruise along the beautiful north-eastern coastline of Cyprus. Slowly sailing out of the harbour, we left the bustle of Kyrenia behind and settled into the relaxed pace of life at sea

Before long, we reached a sheltered anchorage close to the shoreline for our first swimming stop. With only eighteen guests on board, the boat never felt crowded, creating a friendly and intimate atmosphere throughout the day.

One of the highlights was the large slide at the bow of the boat. Young and old alike had great fun launching themselves into the refreshing Mediterranean waters. Following our swim, we were treated to a delicious lunch on board before spending some time simply relaxing at anchor, enjoying the shade and the gentle motion of the boat.

The return journey to Kyrenia was wonderfully peaceful. We sat at the bow chatting, admiring the coastline, and soaking up the warm afternoon sunshine as the Sabrina made her way slowly back to harbour.

Once ashore, the ladies enjoyed a little retail therapy among the shops of Kyrenia, while Kuli and I found a comfortable spot to relax with a couple of cold beers, reflecting on what had been a thoroughly enjoyable day on the water.

You tube Video

A visit to Kyrenia

On a beautiful morning, accompanied by Dawn and Kuli, we set off from Pissouri for the northern part of Cyprus, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The border crossing was surprisingly quiet, allowing us to continue our journey with very little delay.

As we travelled north, we were treated to the impressive sight of the Dr. Suat Günsel Mosque. Its magnificent golden domes sparkled brilliantly in the sunshine, creating a striking landmark that was impossible to miss.

Approaching Kyrenia, the roads became noticeably busier and traffic began to build, a sure sign that we were nearing one of Northern Cyprus's most popular destinations. Before long, we arrived at our accommodation, the Rix Apartments, which would serve as our base for the next few days.

After checking in and settling into our apartment, we headed down to Kyrenia's picturesque harbour. The colourful waterfront, lined with fishing boats, cafés, and restaurants, provided the perfect setting for a few relaxing drinks before we indulged in a delicious fish meze. We were pleasantly surprised by how peaceful the harbour was, allowing us to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the stunning surroundings at a leisurely pace.

With the afternoon slipping by, we wandered through the narrow streets of the old town, browsing the local shops and admiring the charm and character that make Kyrenia such a delightful place to explore.

Later, we wandered through the narrow, winding streets surrounding the harbour, browsing the local shops and taking in the charm of the old town. As evening fell, we returned to our apartment, where we rounded off a wonderful first day with a couple of drinks and a friendly game of cards.