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I am a quilter living in Woodbridge, Suffolk who has made quilts since I was a teenager. I also ring bells! Both are great British traditions....I will try to feature some of my antique Welsh and Durham quilts, the quilts I make myself, my quilting activities and also some of my bellringing achievements. Plus as many photos as I can manage. NB: Double click on the photos to see greater detail, then use back button to return to the main page.













Sunday, 24 October 2010

Walking Holiday to North Cyprus

Sorry that I have not posted anything recently. We went away for a week's holiday and as you know, not only does it take a week to prepare to go and finish work in preparation, but it also takes a week to catch up on things. Our holiday this year was to North Cyprus, on an Explore walking holiday. The walking was moderate, the weather warm (over 30 degrees) and the group a friendly one. We stayed in a pleasant hotel near Bellapais above Kyrenia. As you know, about 30 years ago there was a war between Greece and Turkey, and the country is now divided. Most of the Greeks fled to the south. There are still clear signs of this conflict - most noticeably many army outposts and a demilitarised zone, but also many unfinished houses.Whether this is due to the burst housing bubble or uncertain legal title (much property was originally owned by now absent Greeks) I am not sure but entire holiday villages stand empty or unsold.

Kyrenia harbour, where the castle has a museum with a trading ship found locally, very well preserved and much older than the Mary Rose.




Breakfast on the terrace!! Mike and I.




View from the top of St Hilarion Castle - one of three crusader castles we visited - this one only had 450 steps - we walked down towards the sea after this...



Our guide Geyza - he is a graduate in tourism, has jobs with three different companies and is saving up to start his own company. He learned his English at college and also with his aunt in Hackney. Here he is pointing out that these are not pods, but insect galls, nursery to a sort of aphid I think.....

Beer after the walk!!!


Walking along sandy trails through pine forests



There are many stray cats and dogs but most seem looked after by shopkeepers, boat owners and restaurant owners. Kyrenia has a local animal rescue centre that inoculates and neuters the animals, which has seen a drastic reduction in strays.



Walking through olive groves - we saw the olives being harvested by local people, with nets and long canes. The local olives are small and are crushed before being pickled.



An abandoned church. You can just see on the right the new mosque. Most of the Greeks are Orthodox Christians and the Turkish people who remained are Muslim (although not terribly religious). Unlike Morocco, we were allowed into the mosques which was very interesting.


I have some interesting quilt-related news, so will sign off and hope to take some photos of quilts tomorrow.
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3 comments:

  1. Anonymous24 October 2010 at 21:10

    Hi Pippa, your holiday sounds wonderful. I would love to visit Greece and Cyprus some day soon. I too am off on a walking holiday shortly - we are going to New Zealand to walk the Milford Track. Look forward to you quilt news.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown25 October 2010 at 10:26

    Hi Pippa, Very glad that you had such a good tour in the TRNC - it is lovely is it not? If you ever want to go to North Cyprus again or maybe to Turkey please have a look at our IAH web site (for ideas & itineraries) as we offer both Guided and Self Guided tours in North Cyprus and in Turkey we have been offering these for more than 10 years. www.iah-holidays.co.uk
    The people in both countries are gentle, friendly and helpful which creates a lovely atmosphere and we are lucky enough to work with some of the best trained guides in both countries.
    With regard to the unfinished holiday villages most of them are from the little building bubble that has affected much of the Mediterranean not just the whole island of Cyprus in the last ten years. You are right that some properties are built on "Greek Cypriot" land but I'm sure you realised that the reverse might apply across the border. When you went on the Karpas were you introduced to the villages where the Maronite community live and thrive; did they take you to Kantara which has some fantastic Crusader history and views?

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  3. Luxury Traveler16 April 2011 at 18:26

    I can see that you've enjoyed spending a holiday at Cyprus.
    Cyprus luxury holidays

    ReplyDelete

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