Part of our "unsinkable aircraft carrier" in the eastern med - Akrotiri Base

The rock is sacred to Aphrodite - and women wanting children tie ribbons to the bushes - I have seen the same in Mongolia at a sacred spring and again at St Kenelm's Well - not 10 kilometers from where I live in the UK

No photographs... the obvious route to Nicosia is along the coastal lowlands - but the Turks have that bit

The part of maddest road I have driven on - only exists to link Nicosia with a village cut off be the UN buffer zone (Kato Pyrgos) - no one in their right minds would have built such a brilliant but stupid road except because of National Pride. Of course it was not on my "insight" map - a big work of fiction if ever there was

It is a church on a big spur with a huge white concrete cross - what exactly do they mean by "services"?

I am glad I got the 1600i - was worked very hard for 6 days - pity the next person hiring this car

A day trip to "officially does not exist" Northern Cyprus

And they mean it...

Officially there - but nothing in your passport,,,

Sandbags and sniper holes still in place 31 years after... no one dares make any changes

Post Box - Northern Cyprus

Top of the wall in Northen Cyprus, Bottom in Cyprus, not sure exactly which course of bricks is the 'border'

Not at all subtle and not at all pleasant

We had one of these in 1969! (Vauxhall Victor 3575PG)

Gunned down by "freedom fighters" in the service of peace - Sgt Niels Verner Haar Larsen - 22 years old - what a waste

Best place of the holiday - from the EOKA hideouts - the photo does not do it justice - one of my "magic places"

Nice desserts at the Marjay Inn, Spilia - no, not what you think - these are "Walnuts in Syrup"

Sums up the whole road network really

Spilia - heroes of the independence struggle. I wonder if these were part of the same mob that went around killing Danish (UN) soldiers?

Giant Fennel - and another "Sovereign" Territory ticked off [Dhekelia Base]

Sprinting Binnies - Gozo, Malta

Clapham Junction - Malta (5000 year old cart ruts)

Malta Bus - still young after 50 years

After a great deal of searching I found the dolmen (is about 75cm high!)

Medina (?), Malta

If you visit the Hypogeum and you arrive early - this is where you should stock up on calories - Maxims Pastizzeria

See!

Fenek on Gozo - the broad bean soup was superb, the Fenek - was nice but not again, the restaurant Oleander - big tick!

Festa of St Paul's Shipwreck, Valletta, Malta

Festa of St Paul's Shipwreck, Valletta, Malta - British High Commission

Festa of St Paul's Shipwreck, Valletta, Malta (The battle of the bands)

Festa of St Paul's Shipwreck, Valletta, Malta

Festa of St Paul's Shipwreck, Valletta, Malta

Festa of St Paul's Shipwreck, Valletta, Malta

Festa of St Paul's Shipwreck - Aftemath

Festa of St Paul's Shipwreck - Valletta, Malta

Here is a short video:

Every hotel should have a cat ( Le Meridien Phoenicia, Valletta, Malta)

"A Friend" helps me when the lock got jammed...

Xmas @ the Dunbar's - thank you for the presents

Boxing day outing to see "A Christmas Carol" - thanks Joce!

Xmas afternoon - just in time for "The Queen" - at Dad's home

I shared my xmas lunch (sausages and bread I am afraid) with this cheeky little robin - A34, Tidbury services

"What do you want to eat - Indian? Mexican? Chinese? Japanese?"
"No uggh!" (pulls face)
"Have you ever eaten Japanese food?"
"No it is awful!" (face pull gets more extreme)
"How about noodles?"
"OK"
so we went to Wagamama - Matthew is still not quite sure about it - the food looks a bit strange...

Chopsticks: "I liked the ones I actually used the best - because they actually helped you"

Everything but the greens "I have tried salad before - it is not that nice"

Success - Almost!: Matthew says "Wagamama's? That was excellent that place was, it was really good"

Emily Evans... Mr Rembrandt watch out!

 

Miriam's Last Day - almost 6 years