Snapshots from Cyprus

Glenn wanted me to visit my Grandfathers homeland before we move across the other side of the world!  With only a few days to cram in as much as we could, each day had loads of surprises and some places bringing out deep emotion as I imagined my Grandfather being in the very same places in his youth.  The spaces where the roads ended; the mountains and the turquoise sea, these were all places in his memory too.

Kalidonia waterfall in the Troodos mountains.

The waterfalls in Cyprus - a bit too cold at this time of year for a refreshing shower, but we did brave the water for a (short) paddle.

Looking over the Troodos mountains on the way back from the Kalidonia falls.

The walk back from the Kalidonia waterfall became somewhat treacherous at times, with both Glenn and I taking risky shortcuts. But what a breathtaking view!  Low clouds setting the scene, making it suitably moody.

Walking up top Mount Olympus in the Troodos mountains, temperature dropping rapidly!

 Our next trick was to walk the Atalante trail to the top of Mount Olympus. We had started a little late, and as the sun disappeared and low clouds took over the mountains, the temperature dropped rapidly.  When the sun finally gave up we did too!

First sight of the turquoise sea near Cape Greco.

My first real glimpse of the sea, somewhere that my Grandfather used to swim, and fish.  I have a wonderful photograph of him in a small sailing dinghy when he was about 16.  He has memories of going out in fishing boats with his friends with a cheese and watermelon lunch.   It was this simple, unadulterated life that I hoped to see and feel a part of.  Further down the coast we found a secluded bay, the water was gorgeous and I was able to take a few shots with my underwater camera, which you can see on my Facebook page.

The hills behind Choirikita.

 Choirikita turned out to be one of our favourite trips out, tucked in behind the motorway on the way to Lemesos.  A neolithic village site, with the remains of stone round houses, something neither of us had come across before.  The hills behind the site were full of the sounds and smells of the countryside, so peaceful, and stunningly beautiful, it's here that I wondered why my Grandfather had left Cyprus in the first place.

New horizons

Well here it is!  The view from my soon to be built studio...

The plot is ready to be cleared and foundations should be going in, in the next few weeks, then the build can start!  I'm excited and also rushed off my feet, getting ready for the move!

Los Gringos (a date with a rainstorm)

After a wonderful meal at the fish restaurant on Los Gringos beach we decided to take a few shots of driftwood.  That morning there had been a particularly vicious rainstorm and the rain had gathered momentum down through the hills surrounding the beach, and was gushing into the sea, making the walk a little perilous!

Walking along the seaweed strewn beach.

Large pieces of driftwood litter the beach.

Along with more workable pieces.

One of my finds.

Outing with the sharks

After the trials of hurricane Sandy, we eventually found ourselves once again in the Dominican Republic - 30 degrees and welcoming winds.  It was great to be back in the country we are going to be moving to.  After only a few hours back, we had made the decision to move out at the end of January. 

Playa Caleton

Only a few days into our holiday and I was able to try out my birthday present from Glenn - an underwater camera.  I am amazed at the capabilities of this little camera, as although the water was not completely crystal clear, I still managed to get a few shots of the fish swimming in the sea at  Playa Caleton along with a very odd looking creature!

First underwater shots, catching the fish before they swim away.

Point and shoot!

Odd fish.

Action shot ;)

Looking out to sea from Playa Caleton.

Gibraltar rocks!

Finding yourself in the middle of England at the end of Spain is a little disconcerting, but that's Gibraltar for you.  The weather was a welcome change from the grotty English weather we'd been having; the food lacking that Spanish feel we were expecting!

Above Catalan beach.

We had a few action packed days, walking the length and breadth of the peninsula, meeting the famous Barbary apes, and visiting the various tourist hotspots and not-so-hotspots in the form of a massive walk  down the Mediterranean steps! We spent our last day on Catalan beach, where we spent a good half an hour beachcombing, before braving the extremely (in my opinion) cold  late October sea.

Catalan beach, looking towards the Caleta Hotel.

Our most memorable trip was over to Morocco, where we had a guided tour of Tangier, traveling through all the different quarters,  and stopping for a traditional lunch and stroll around the colourful Medina.

Berber market day.

Weaving a different history in the magic carper bazaar.

Beautiful fresh fruit and vegetables for sale at the market.

The market is bustling with people.

Rumours and rustlings

Sitting here in the middle of hurricane Sandy, it's hard to believe that 2000 miles away in the Dominican Republic, the sun is blazing and there is a seafront hotel room waiting for Glenn and I.  We are currently riding out the storm just outside Newark Airport, staring out of the 5th floor window of our hotel shelter, and feverishly checking on news updates - a far cry from the life that awaits us in the sun. 

Apart from getting intimately acquainted with Sandy, which admittedly wasn't part of our initial plans, we were hoping for a business vacation, and to check up on the progress of the house...because, oh yes, we are planning to move out to the Dominican Republic, sometime in the new year! 

What's really exciting (apart from the fact that we will be moving to the Caribbean) is that I will be getting my own studio.  My life has taken on a new sheen, I'm feeling a bit like a butterfly, wings closed and waiting, ready to take my first flight!

Reaching Dunster beach

On my recent travels I found myself on the road back home from Minehead to London, remembering that I had visited Dunster Beach a few years before, I decided to make a detour and see if I could find some driftwood.  It was a beautiful day, and I just couldn't waste it by spending the whole day in my car!

Dunster Beach panorama.

One of my finds in amongst the sand and seaweed.