PALS Magazine JANUARY 2011

Polis and Latchi Scene Issue 85

January 2010

Cover photograph by this month’s competition winner, Ray Atkinson from Goudi

PALS Magazine December 2010 www.palsmagazine.com

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Hello and welcome to the January edition of the PALS Magazine.

First Created and Published by

Sandra Westwood

I trust that you all enjoyed the holiday season festivities and are rested and looking forward to the new year ahead of us.

in July 2003

Issue 85 January 2011

15th January 2011 Š 2011 A.P. Associates (CY) Ltd Editor Andy Papaiacovou Mobile Assistant Editor Heather Wright

+357 26322453 +357 99171120

Of course, there are more festivities to come this month, with Robbie Burns night on the 25th and I wish all of our readers who celebrate it a very enjoyable evening. We would be interested in any reports and photographs for publication in our February issue.

The winter has now set in and we hope that you find much in this issue to interest and amuse you during the long evenings this month when we are all confined inside.

+357 26322453

Design, Art & Typesetting Shields Printing Shields 99377451/2 Contributors: Maria Antoniou, Ray Atkinson, Kim Brown, Ken Bwye, Keith Dutfield, John Franklin, Jan Gibson, Sue de Groot, Caroline Grossmith, Catt Kyriakou, Eleni Protopapa, Charles Purdy, Michael Wright, Nagaraja Rao. All correspondence to: A.P. Associates (CY) Ltd Marina Latchi Complex, Block C, No. 10 & 11, Latchi Polis Chrysochous, Paphos, Cyprus Tel: +357 26323538 Fax: +357 26323539 editor@palsmagazine.com

A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one Year and out the other.

We are excited about the plans we have for the magazine in the coming months and are starting 2011 off in style with a Kallikantzaroi drawing competition for our younger readers with a fantastic prize for the winner.

Please see page 17 for details and encourage any children you know to enter.

We also have a change of sponsor for the front cover photograph competition - The Fly Again Irish Pub & Grill in Argaka are kindly supporting us by providing a meal for two for the winner, whose photograph will also become the front cover of the magazine for the following month. So, please keep emailing or bringing them in for us to take from your card or memory stick. Remember – you've got to be in it to win it!!

Once again, I would like to thank all of our advertisers, sponsors and contributors for supporting our community magazine. We are planning to focus on romance in our next issue, with Valentines Day approaching. So, if you have a service, product or any special offers which to relate to this special day, please call us to discuss your advertising requirements.

Keep warm and well and I look forward to talking to you again in February.

All the best

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Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, Further to Shirley Ludfords letter to you last month concerning the problem she had at the Pyrgos/Limnitis border, I obtained some contact details from the Turkish checkpoint: The telephone number for the insurance company is 009039 27236198 and their e-mail is fatos.surahi@hotmail.com. the approximate cost for insurance is â‚Ź25.00 I hope this will be of use to your readers and will assist in limiting problems with getting through.

Jackie says of her work ethos: "I am committed to providing professional tuition to the highest of standards and to making certain that students, of all ages and of all abilities, will benefit from a positive atmosphere in which they will develop first class technical skills together with a desire to go to their chosen instrument with enjoyment" Jackie liaises with The Royal School of Music in London, whose examiners visit Cyprus in April/May and October/December each year. She prepares her pupils for their examinations and has an excellent pass record – 100%. That says it all, really!

Lessons may take place in Jackie's music studio in Peigia or in the pupils own home and at times to suit – she is very flexible.

Anonymous

Jackie Clark Music School Jackie Clark (ABRSM) has a bubbly personality and is passionate about passing on her 30 years of expertise and love of music when she is teaching the piano, keyboard and guitar.

Her tuition schedules are tailor-made according to each individual pupils needs, whether they may be a child or adult, a complete beginner or revising or building on their existing skills.

Many people have always wanted to learn an instrument but have never got around to it or learnt as a child and wish they hadn't let their skills lapse. Or perhaps a child in the family is expressing a desire to learn. A course of lessons make a wonderful and unique gift for a birthday or special occasion.

Jackie's tuition fees are very reasonable and discounts are available for booking blocks of lessons so give her a call on 26343752 or 99043316 for an informal, no obligation chat about your needs.

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

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“Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don't think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You'll look ten years younger. Don't be afraid to say, 'I love you'. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.�

Ann Landers PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

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Letympou LETYMPOU: Come along to some of the events in the village and enjoy some of the good food and drink on offer, you will receive a warm welcome - check out the dates below: LETYMPOU GARDEN CLUB: The first meeting was held on Wednesday 8th December at Brooksey's Place and is to be a regular monthly event on the first Wednesday of the month but due to Christmas and New New Year, the next meeting will be on February 2nd . Information and ideas were exchanged, advice about propagating and growing, where to buy, when to plant and a selection of plants grown by those attending were brought to sell, with the proceeds going to the Hospice.

If you are a keen gardener and would like to share your knowledge and experience, or have a query that we can help with, you are welcome to come along.

DART'S NIGHT at Brooksey's Place on a Thursday has proved to be a popular event and is well supported by residents and friends of Letympou, it is only for fun and even if you have never played before come along and have a go, you will have a great time and make lots of new friends.

been well attended and new friends made.

SUNDAY LUNCHES are always fully booked, with many making a regular return so if you would like to come along please make a reservation well in advance

NEXT EVENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR AT BROOKSEY'S PLACE, LETYMPOU We all wish our customers a Happy New Year!

16th January Curry and Chilli afternoon from 1.30 pm onwards Đ„6.50 26th January Walk and Lunch meet 11am must book, homemade meat and potato pie and mushy peas Đ„6.50 2nd February Garden Club Meeting 11 am Darts Night every Thursday 7.30 pm onwards

There has been several WALKS arranged around the village meeting back at Brooksey's Place for lunch and again these have

FOR RENT Lovely 3 Bedroom Villas All With Air Conditioning, Central Heating And Swimming Pool Available Now In Polemi, Lasa and Skouli Villages Agios Dimitrianos Telephone 99683177 For More Information

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

7 EN.A.D.FC Polis Your local Professional football Club Keith Dutfield

The club is now challenging for a promotion spot level on points with third placed Spartakos of Larnaca and five points behind league leaders Ethinikos Assias. The new striking partnership of Tiago Rosado and Alexandros Giakakoglou is starting to gel and the team has scored two goals in each of their last two matches.

Costas Socratous the Team Coach holds a UEFA (B) Coaching Diploma and is currently studying to achieve a UEFA (A) Diploma. The latter qualification will enable him to coach in the 2nd Division. As a club we are extremely lucky to have such a talented coach and this shows through in his match day team talks and live match strategy changes. In training sessions in particular he constantly works on new routines including set pieces free kicks and corners and each player is made to know his responsibility in both the playing system and individual requirements for specific matches. The Board led by our President Marios Avraam will be doing everything it can to provide the right environment to make the club successful in these financially challenging times. The club now has 20 points having won 5 drawn 5 lost 2 and remain unbeaten at home.

Reports of the last two most recent matches at time of going to press are shown below:Saturday 27th November 2010 EN.A.D.FC Polis 2 Pareklissias (Limassol) 2 In a thrilling encounter against table topping Pareklissias EN.A.D. found themselves behind 1-0 after 12 minutes.

Pareklissias scored in a counter attack move through mid field, an attacker was found on his own to the right of the goal in the penalty box and drove the ball into the top corner. In the 24th minute things got worse when EN.A.D. went 2-0 down, again a Pareklissia player was found on the right side of the box and this time a well placed shot found the goal just inside the far post.

Alexandros Giakakoglou should have pulled one back in the 38th minute but he blasted his shot over the bar. In the 43rd minute EN.A.D. was awarded a penalty. In the resultant protests a Pareklissias player was sent off. Tiago Rosado held his nerve and drove the ball in to the net and suddenly EN.A.D. were back in the match. After the interval EN.A.D came back strongly with Bogdanov Stoil outstanding in mid field. In the 54th minute Anthimos Georgiou came on from the bench adding another attacking dimension to mid field with his enthusiasm and clever play. The relatively new but talented attacking partnership of Alexandros Giakakoglou and Tiago Rosado is starting to work well and is creating problems for opponents' defences. This EN.A.D. sides efforts were rewarded in the 69th minute with a great equaliser. Dionosis Karakatksanis made a well placed cross from the goal line to the far post and Mihalis Pogiannos headed the ball into the net. In the 85th minute Pareklissias was reduced to nine men with another of their players sent off as the excitement intensified. EN.A.D. had Socratis Socratous sent off for a late challenge and in the 93rd minute EN.A.D. was also reduced to nine men when Andreas Nocholaou received a second yellow card. The 2-2 draw was no more than EN.A.D. deserved in a match that they will feel they should have won.

Saturday 4th December 2010 Iraklis (Nicosia) 1 EN.A.D.FC Polis 2 EN.A.D.needing three points to keep their promotion hopes alive went on the offensive from the kick off and were rewarded in the 19th minute with a goal of the utmost quality. A corner from Antonis Antoniou was met at the near post by Tiago Rosado whose header went into the top corner of the net.

EN.A,D. pressed the Iraklis defenders and won mid field. At half time EN.A.D. was comfortably 0-1 up. Iraklis pressed hard in the opening minutes but EN.A.D. went further ahead in the 66th minute when the Iraklis goalkeeper spilled Antonis Antonious' swinging free kick into the net. EN.A.D.'s work rate started to drop and some errors started to creep into their game. In the 82nd minute an Iraklis corner was lost in a mêlée of players and the ball was driven into the net from close range. EN.A.D's goalkeeper had a strong game well supported by the Bulgarian centre back pairing of Aleksey Stepanov and Noiko Gorov.

EN.A.D. ran out winners after a nervous last 12 minutes and the three points gained moves the team into fourth place putting them level on points with third placed Spartakos.

Supporters Club EN.A.D. supporters continue to meet at the Village Inn at Latchi on the first Monday in the month where we discuss up to the minute football matters and exchange views and ideas to further develop the football club. Anyone requiring more information regarding the Supporters Club, please contact Keith Berry on telephone number 99269314. The next meeting at the Village Inn Latchi will be on Monday 10th January 2010 at 700pm to allow everyone time to get over the festivities.

EN.A.D.FC Web Site – www.enadfc.com - Don't forget to visit the club Web Site for the latest club news regarding matches and events.

Forthcoming Home Fixtures in the Municipality Stadium Polis.

15th January 2010 EN.A.D.FC Polis v Elpida ( Larnaca) Kick Off 230pm; 29th January 2010 EN.A.D.FC Polis v Germasogia (Limassol) Kick Off 3-00pm The match day experience continues to improve. At the last home game a 3.5 Littre bottle of whisky was raffled off raising €355 towards club funds. Drinks and food are now available in the stand as well as in the bar area. The supporters club also issue a squad sheet free of charge on match days to help you get to know the Team. We now also have our very own Public Address System for music and announcing team news whichwas kindly donated by the Supporters Club. The club continues to look at ways to increase its' revenue and so if there is anyone who can help or knows someone who wishes to advertise or sponsor the club please contact Keith Dutfield, Tel No 97770918 or E mail keith.dutfield@hotmail.com. We also appreciate ideas to help us to improve the club moving forward, so please keep sending in your ideas and proposals.

Finally The EN.A.D FC Board ,Staff and players would like to takethis opportunity to thank you all for your fantastic support in 2009 and wish all PALS readers a very happy and healthy New Year.

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

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PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

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Catch 22

Between No-Man’s-Land and the Deep Blue Sea Caroline Grossmith You look at the map, consider the adventure, take in the ferry possibilities and obviously ..... pack everything into your lovely shiny UK car and drive across Europe to start your new life in Cyprus .... via Kyrenia.

....Red light! Snow in Europe. Gatwick closed. No co-driver...... clock ticking. The open window needed the Polo to be on the Friday midnight ferry from Kyrenia. Co-driver's flight rearranged for Friday, Paphos .... lunchtime, sandwiches packed and off by 7pm .....Green light! Fond farewells. The End.

Don't. Not unless you like pain – LOTS of pain!

Not! “Stuck in a snow drift on the outskirts of Linz” bleeped the text at 4am. What? Made it over the Alps only to be thwarted on the downhill stretch!? No winter tyres, 1,500 km and 24 hours before the Easy Jet Paphos flight leaves Gatwick. But this was only a tiny problem in the big picture now permanently etched in the trusty Polo's rear view mirror.

Eighteen months ago, Spring was a beautiful introduction to Cyprus – orchids and eagles, blue skies and green mountains.

The CP5 and the warning to register the car within 3 months stowed safely in the glove compartment .... lurking.

Exploring tracks overlooking the sea, long grass tickling the undercarriage, things couldn't be more ideal, until one day, the smell from the glove compartment started to percolate through the keyhole. “You cannot register this car here!” What? But I was told..... “Ochi – You must take it back through the unrecognised and illegal port of Kyrenia” (knitted brow, tightened lips) “and bring it in through the recognised port of Limassol or Larnaca” (a sigh and a big smile – ah yes, that was it!)

Easy.

“Car impounded. Game over” came the call. Rescue cavalry to the crossing – unhorsed driver and co-driver unglamorously sitting on the pavement.... (eating the sandwiches!) Polo taken to the firing squad. “What happened?” It transpired that the customs official felt the need to fine the Polo for not paying it's road tax (however hard it had tried, but always found it impossible to pay it's road tax without being registered first! ... things that make you go 'Hmm') So readily pulling out cash to pay, receipt book at the ready ... how much?? “Don't know” (Twenty phone calls) Still don't know. Find out in Paphos on Monday, then come and pay – then the car will be released.

Bye. Bye bye to 3 precious days of the rather tight window, now being manually and thoroughly wound up! A few well timed phone calls and lucky 'who you know's and the paperwork was

Or not! 'Well, please could I pay the road tax and extend the CP5 until I can get time off to drive it round?' “Ochi.” (Cat's bottom face) “The car will be impounded.” Crikey!

Not ever taking no as an answer, all avenues were driven down.

And one by one, they were also reversed along, to the resounding slam of bureaucratic doors. Now the car could not be insured here, so off the road, or rounded up like an alien and impounded. The laughing stock car .... thrown tomatoes stripping the paintwork.

On a trip to collect another vehicle from the legal and beautiful port of Limassol, it came to pass that apparently, other cars with a similar Polo history had been refused entry and impounded because they were on a black list, even when they had been driven round following the recommended route retrace and represent procedure. That would be fERRrustrating!! Enough to make you slash your tyres.

Time to save the Polo from the net tightening around it. Quick exit where it first came in and back to UK. Tax paid and MOT booked and out through the 'post busy summer, pre European snow' window. UK co-driver (and lucky new owner')s flight booked, kms calculated and loving ex-owner's return flight arranged. Red light – green light.

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

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To Support the children of Nepal

Catch 22 Continued ...

Caroline Grossmith

They made it to Kyrenia Port thanks to a devil may care strike breaking insurance broker who loved the UK. And then there was the C104! Or there wasn't. The next hurdle! The C104 is issued on the car's entry to the north ... for a month – the penalty for staying longer is 60TL (30 Euros) ....a month. The C104 should have been stamped to prove exit .... well, if you knew to ask! So the incredible filing in the archives of the port coughed up the C104 carbon copy in only half an hour – the fine calculated at 1,200TL! Explanations, acceptance and the fine was T waived ... bye bye!

There followed, border hold ups, the car tooth combed, even some antique but still sealed Wimbledon tennis balls being Xrayed (there are jokes in here somewhere!) – supper with Cyprus friends in Budapest (they were Hungary!) and driving by sat nav in zero visibility like flying a plane on the instruments (don't try this at home!) ..oh and the snow in Austria! As I write they are tearfully tearing apart at Gatwick – en route to the MOT! This morning a message from officialdom came through; “When you bring the car back to Cyprus through the legal and beautiful port of Limassol, there will not be a problem with your subsequently registering it here in Cyprus”

We are delighted to be able to report that our fundraising lunches and suppers in aid of the children of Nepal raised, through the wonderful generosity of all those who attended, a grand total of €3,130 for John & Penny Smith to invest during their planned stay in Nepal next year.

Following our last report in the November magazine, the pasta, curry and fish evenings were all well attended and served to make a significant contribution to the final total. We must have impressed our guests as we have two advance bookings for next year!

We must thank our back room team for their support and assistance before, during and after each meal, and in particular Chris Hoskins, Ken Wiseman, Sue and Russ Fern. Without their help we would not have been able to embark on this venture.

As with last year, every euro collected has now been given to John & Penny.

To book any meals you wish us to host on your behalf please call Ray & Catherine Elliott at Metamorphosis Guest House in Neo Chorio, on 97648382, or John & Penny on 99266853.

Things that make you go – “Hmm...” (...........and “Aaaaargh”!!)

Art & Craft Group, Steni Village (next to the Church) every Thursday 2-5pm Bring your own project and meet with like minded people for help and exchange of ideas. Mosaics, painting and many other crafts being done.

Classes held some weeks when demanded.

All welcome. €2.00 per week to support the craft museum of Steni.

For more information call Joanna Burgess on 99175988.

Tips for Keeping your New Year Resolutions 1. Choose a Specific, Realistic Goal 2. Pick Just One Resolution 3. Don't Wait Until New Year's Eve to decide 4. Start With Small Steps 5. Avoid Repeating Past Failures 6. Remember That Change Is a Process 7. Don't Let Small Stumbles Bring You Down 8. Get Support from Your Friends and Family 9. Renew Your Motivation 10. Keep Working on Your Goals

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

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God Speaks... Through His Word “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” (Psalm 40:3) King David wrote this Psalm. David was one of the wisest, most powerful, most successful kings that Israel ever had. He also was a songwriter extraordinaire. How many songs he had written and sung, from his young shepherd days to his days of royal splendour. However, at this specific time in his life, he speaks of a NEW song. One that had been given to him BY God, and one that was directed TO God. What had prompted this?

He tells us in the two verses before:-

not a cry for temporary relief – it was a cry of trust. Then God stepped in and not only rescued him, but also gave him a sense of stability and security….. and then there was the new song.

Listen:“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.

Many , O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done.

The things You planned for us no one can recount to You David is singing. Can we sing too? There is a Saviour from the claustrophobic, filthy, sinking life that we have. A glorious new life and a wonderful new song. Will we cry out in trust to God, and wait for Him? Has He a song for us?

I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

St.Andrew's Plaza (Opp Papantoniou Supermarket)

There doesn't seem to be a specific time when David was trapped in a physical pit. It seems that he was talking of a time in his life when he felt trapped, he felt dirty, he felt about to go under.

Have WE not come to those times too? What do WE do?

David cried to the Lord. This was not a cry of blaming God, it was

Join us for Praise and the Preaching of God’s Word

every Sunday at 6:00pm Bible study and fellowship Every Wednesday at 4:30pm Everybody Welcome!

Also the Polis Ladies Bible study group meets every Monday at 4:30pm ChristChurch is an international, non-denominational fellowship of Christians For more details, phone Chris on 99930897

A Prayer

By Eleni Protopapa, Author of “Cyprus - A Taste of Yesterday” The sea engulfed a sailor in its depths.

Unaware, a mother goes and lights A tall candle before the icon of Our Lady, Praying for him to come back quickly, For the weather to be good Her ear cocked always to the wind, While she prays and supplicates, The icon listens, solemn, sad Knowing the son she waits for will never come back.

families happy and make them happy They will pick up the little boy or girl that they left behind as babies, carefully throw them up in the air, pick them up and dance with them, blessing their luck. Then it is the turn of the wife, who is standing aside, thanking God and Our Lady Virgin Mary for keeping her husband alive and bringing him back. She knows he will leave again, but this is the fate of the men who live on this poor island.

She lives on a small island, Onissiros, near the island of Kos in the Aegean. The population is not more than one thousand. Life is very simple. Many people, mainly the men, emigrate to Athens or to other countries like America or Australia. Most of the men prefer to work on boats; they love the sea, the thrill of the unexpected. Every couple of months or years they have the chance to come back to the island, to visit their loved ones and to bring the money they have managed to save. It makes no difference how much. It is going to make their

The old lady Anastasia comes out of the little house where she is living with her daughter Marigo. She stands outside for a while, thinking, making the sign of the cross, she is securing her cloak, she looks at the sky, the sun will soon set, she has to hurry. She picks up a big candle and sets off. She goes up the hill. She opens the door of the church, she stands, she makes the sign of the cross and she prays . She kneels in front of the icon of Our Lady, she opens her heart, she unfolds all her thoughts. She begs to have her son back. Her husband was lost at sea a few years ago.

“Please My Lady, bring back my son. I lost my husband a few years ago. My daughter Marigo is engaged to be married, she is waiting for her brother to come: we are all waiting”.

She lights the candle, she is relieved, she leaves the church full of hope now. The icon is sad. There is no hope for the young boy who went to the sea to help his mother and to help his sister get married. He is not coming back, the sea has swallowed him.

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

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The Journey - Part 11 Sue de Groot

The Charm of Sharm El Sheik, Tender Tenders, Search for an Internet Café The transit down the Suez Canal to Sharm El Sheik will take 199 nautical miles. We awake at 6 a.m. and the sun is shining and we are approaching Sharm El Sheik.

tenders, we are able to moor at the dock (hurray, hurray) so no problem everyone can get off. Well we are quite ready by this time, so we decide to take a quiet coffee, when you guessed it, Dottie on the tannoy again, saying that no we cannot moor after all, but that we are going to go ashore by tender so we grab our stuff and hare down to the Tender.

Okay, we are on the tender and off we go. On the quay, we are in need of a taxi, but there are not many available. So groups of us pile into a scruffy van for $5 a head non-negotiable, and we are driven harum scarum to the New Town and are dropped off at the Movenpick Hotel. Down towards the sea as Sharm is really only a beach resort at the edge of the Sinai Desert.

Our first order of the day is to find an Internet Café. We can get internet on board, but there is a $2 cost each time for incoming and outgoing emails, so we need to catch up. After some searching to no avail, I head off to my loose stone merchant whilst June who is suffering from a bad back, sits out of the sun.

Well, as luck will have it, the loose stone merchant also operates the only Internet Café in town, so I rush back to get June whilst my amethyst pendant is being set.

Whilst June is trying to get on line, I search for a supermarket for our supplies.

We decide to read our tarot cards early today. June: “I will let go of my past by bringing myself into contact with others by asking them who are you today?” Sue: “My past is no longer what it was, I am prepared to look at my past in a new and positive way”.

These are profound thoughts which we will discuss over breakfast in a philosophical way, i.e. we are trying to understand what they mean.

There is nothing planned for today, at least no excursions, since we have opted to “discover” Sharm El Sheik for ourselves, thereby saving $100 for an excursion. Just as well, as after an early morning walk of the jogging deck (06.45) we hear from Dottie the cruise director, that the Ship cannot moor and that there is some problem with the docking space. Now, we are quite a big ship, so we cannot just pull up any old place. Actually, it is a big problem since there is no more space at all.

The next announcement from Dottie is that because we cannot moor, the Egyptian authorities have not yet boarded the ship to control exit visas. So we patiently wait, have breakfast and shower. Later we hear that the authorities have cleared the visas, but we still have no docking space.

So there follows an announcement from the Captain (first time we have heard his voice), and then Dottie that we will drift in the Bay (her words, not mine) and that we will have to go ashore by Tender.

We leave the charm of Sharm and go back to the ship by taxi.

We have lunch in the non stop salad bar called Waves, and I go off to the pool deck to sunbathe and June to the computer room to practice downloading her photos according to yesterday's lesson.

It is dusk and time to change for dinner.. Tomorrow is going to be another long day. We are going to sail at 5.30 this evening to Safagar, from whence we are due for a 13 hour excursion to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings. Another early night!!!

Next month: Safaga, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, The Nile and a Guide called Miss Thatway

I rush downstairs to find out the times of the Tenders, and am told they are non stop, just go when you want to, so I rush back to get June, and Dottie is on the tannoy yet again, saying no PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

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I

We have moved!

C P Home Services Ltd is pleased to announce the opening of their new shop in Polis square (next to Blue Knight).

In the New Year, in addition to our usual Services, we will be introducing a range of Souvenirs and Giftware suitable for both visitors to Polis and Latchi and locals.

Under the brand name “Love Polis & Latchi�we will offer quality items that reflect the local Area. We will be starting with mugs and T shirts, based on local images which can be personalised.

We can also turn your favourite holiday snap into a personalised item.

As a special introductory offer, until the end of January, present our advert (printed on the right) and receive a 10% discount on a mug or T shirt!

STOP PRESS Now available: Royal Wedding celebration mugs from Polis!

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

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Robbie Burns Little did tutor John Murdoch know that the young pupil who "made rapid progress in reading and was just tolerable at writing" would grow up to become Scotland's national Bard.

Born in Alloway, Ayrshire, in 1759 to William Burness, a poor tenant farmer, and Agnes Broun, Robert Burns was the eldest of seven. He spent his youth working his father's farm, but in spite of his poverty he was extremely well read - at the insistence of his father, who employed a tutor for Robert and younger brother Gilbert. At 15 Robert was the principal worker on the farm and this prompted him to start writing in an attempt to find "some kind of counterpoise for his circumstances." It was at this tender age that Burns penned his first verse, "My Handsome Nell", which was an ode to the other subjects that dominated his life, namely scotch and women.

with pride of parenthood, made him stay in Scotland. He moved around the country, eventually arriving in Edinburgh, where he mingled in the illustrious circles of the artists and writers who were agog at the "Ploughman Poet."

In a matter of weeks he was transformed from local hero to a national celebrity, fussed over by the Edinburgh literati of the day, and Jean Armour's father allowed her to marry him, now that he was no longer a lowly wordsmith. Alas, the trappings of fame did not bring fortune and he took up a job as an exciseman to supplement the meagre income. Whilst collecting taxes he continued to write, contributing songs to the likes of James Johnston's "Scot's Musical Museum" and George Thomson's "Select Collection of Original Scottish Airs." In all, more than 400 of Burns' songs are still in existence.

The last years of Burns' life were devoted to penning great poetic masterpieces such as The Lea Rig, Tam O'Shanter and a Red, Red Rose. He died aged 37 of heart disease exacerbated by the hard manual work he undertook when he was young. His death occurred on the same day as his wife Jean gave birth to his last son, Maxwell.

On the day of his burial more than 10,000 people came to watch and pay their respects. However, his popularity then was nothing compared to the heights it has reached since.

On the anniversary of his birth, 25th January, Scots both at home and abroad celebrate Robert Burns with a supper, where they address the haggis, the ladies and whisky.

A celebration which would undoubtedly make him proud.

Don’t forget to send us your photos and comments about any Robbie Burns night you may attend, either here in Cyprus or elsewhere. We will be reporting on them in the next issue.

Thank you.

When his father died in 1784, Robert and his brother became partners in the farm. However, Robert was more interested in the romantic nature of poetry than the arduous graft of ploughing and, having had some misadventures with the ladies (resulting in several illegitimate children, including twins to the woman who would become his wife, Jean Armour), he planned to escape to the safer, sunnier climes of the West Indies.

However, at the point of abandoning farming, his first collection "Poems- Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect - Kilmarnock Edition" (a set of poems essentially based on a broken love affair), was published and received much critical acclaim. This, together PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

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FOR RENT

Fantastic & New to Cyprus

TO LET: Spacious new 1 bedroom fully furnished apartment in Mesa Chorio, Paphos. Has a/c, large fitted wardrobes, parking, pretty private garden. Close to the International School .

Would suit a professional person or a retired couple. Tel: 99171120.

CLASSIFIEDS COLLECTORS ITEMS: Canon cameras all with their own cases: Epoca 35-105mm, Ixus Z50 (pocket), EOS 300 2880mm (complete with zoom lens). All reasonable offers considered. Please ring 99171120 FREELANCE SECRETARIAL SERVICES: Assistance offered temporary/part-time for any period of time – a few days, a month or only a few hours. MS Word & Excel experience.

Ave typing speed 60wpm. Internet e-mails, basic bookkeeping, errands. Available 9am-5pm daily. Please call Maria on 99996913.

Brand new: SPORT Pathfinder 1 person Inflatable Kayak €250.00. Telephone 26323538.

Brand new: Aquaglide Inflatable ‘Takeoff’ a Giant 12” diameter - lots of fun - €470.00. Ring 26323358 Brand new: SPORT Pathfinder 2 Person Inflatable Kayak € 300.00. Telephone 26323538.

Building land for sale: Migliou Village, near Ayii Anargyri Spa Resort. Sea views. 290 sq meters, 100% building capacity. Tel: 99632618 Antrias Hobby Shop: Stock clearance of models and remote controlled aircraft, boats, cars and bikes. Phone 26991113.

Volvo Engines for Sale: two Volvo engies KAD41P, ready to use for stern drives, bell housing included. Hardly used.

Price €9,000. Tel 26323538 or 99171120.

For Sale - Boat: Fletcher 6 metres in length with cabin colour white. Complete with trailer. New VHF radio. 40 Marina out board engine, recently serviced. Very good condition.

6,000. Telephone 99989725 For Sale - Scooter: Peugeot Tracker 50cc red. Good tyres, new battery, recently serviced. Good condition. 550.

Telephone 99989725 For Sale - Generator: Second hand, hardly used. Honda 20i.

EU inverter. Telephone 26323538 Practice Italian Language: I am forming a small group to meet informally to converse in this beautiful language. All levels welcome. Call 99171120 or e-mail editor@palsmagazine.com.

Canoeing Club: Any adults or children who are interested in joining this new club please contact 26323538 or e-mail editor@palsmagazine for further information.

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AREA AGENTS. People who are able to have fun and enjoy life while making up to & proven, €150k per year.

You can own an area exclusive for 3 years.

You do not need to be a plumber or sales person. The ideal Agent will be a married couple or partners. Even friends looking for a secure future.

We have a show home in Chlorakas where you can see the system working.

You will receive a demonstration sales display board to plug in and show people to gain interest and more sales. Supermarkets are often a good place to do this. In addition you will have all the sales promotions products and full backing from our Spanish head-office.

If you are interested in either Area A, B or C contact us now.

Each area is available exclusive for 3 years for only €19,950.This fee includes all the demonstration displays samples and initial sales kit (worth €30k) www.califri.eu califrieu@yahoo.es In Cyprus 96721669

All fabrics worked with

Do you have a service, product or item to sell?

Advertise it here, only €8.50 for a 30 word advert.

Email or telephone before 15th January to be included in the next issue.

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

16

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

17

Epiphany and Kallikantzaroi Epiphany is a day full of symbolisms and traditions, during which the Church celebrates Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist.

The feast of Epiphany is one of the oldest celebrations of the Christian Church. It was established in the 2nd century and it refers to the revelation of the Holy Trinity during Christ's baptism. That is when the Holy Spirit appeared as a dove and sat on Jesus, while from above the voice of God was indicating Him as His beloved Son and His Chosen on Earth. It was established to be celebrated on January 6th.

During the first two centuries, the Christians also celebrated the Birth of Christ on the same day, but since the mid 4th century, when Pope Julius set December 25th as Christmas day, the feast of Epiphany has been celebrated separately. The Orthodox Church performs on this day the benediction of waters in the sea, in lakes, in rivers, even in water tanks.

For all Greeks this day is connected with the casting of the Cross in the sea and with the effort of the bold ones to retrieve it from the waters, which are usually very cold at this time of year. The joy of the person who manages to get to the Cross first is a great one and the blessings of the priest accompany him for the whole year. On the day before the Epiphany, the neighborhood priest often passes by the houses of his congregation in order to perform the customary blessing. It is the day that the Kallikantzaroi fear the most – if we want to turn from the religious tradition to the folk one: Who says Santa is the only one trying to come down your chimney during the festive season? According to Greek mythology, a gaggle of goblin-like spirits, Kallikantzaroi, are trying to slide into homes, intent on leaving a trail of destruction instead of presents.

The Kallikantzaroi are said to pop up between Christ's birthday and Epiphany to spend their days wreaking their unique brand of clumsy havoc and mischief. They are believed to do such things as urinate in flowerbeds, spoil food, tip things over and break furniture.

Opinions differ on what the Kallikantzaroi look like, both because of active imaginations and Greece's once-isolated regions, separated by the Hellenic nation's many mountains and vast seas. As a result, some say the Kallikantzaroi resemble humans with dark complexions, ugly, very tall beings that sport iron clogs. Others say they're short and swarthy, with red eyes, cleft hooves, monkeys' arms, and hair-covered bodies. There's another school of thought which describes them as lame, squinting and stupid.

For most of the year the Kallikantzaroi live in the bowels of the earth, but they creep out during the Twelve Days of Christmas, venturing out under the cover of night. Many households do such things as throwing sweets or pastries onto the roofs of their homes to pacify the Kallikantzaroi and stop them entering their houses.

The priest's appearance in the houses on Epiphany day gives them the finishing stroke and they disappear once more into the bowels of the Earth. This is how the circle of tradition restarts until next Christmas when they will climb up again.

CHILDREN'S COMPETITION Draw a picture of what you think Kallikantzaroi look like First prize – a boat trip for the winning child plus 3 guests Sponsored by Paragon Marine Services LTD Entries to be received by the PALS Office, Latchi by 15th January and must include the child's name, age and a contact telephone number

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

18

Cypriot New Year's Cake - Vasilopita Ingredients 6 eggs 1 3/4 - 2 glasses sugar 1 1/2 glasses vegetable shortening, half melted 4 glasses self-raising flour 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder some mastic 1 1/2 glasses milk at room temperature or lightly boiled 1 glass almonds, blanched and cut into small pieces or coarsely ground some almonds, blanched and halved.

Method Line the base of a 28-30 cm round cake tin with foil.

Grease and flour. Pound the mastic with 1-2 teaspoons of the sugar.

Sift the flour and add the baking powder and pounded mastic.

Whisk the eggs very well. Add the remaining sugar and continue to beat until creamy. Beat in the shortening and alternately the milk and flour. Using a metal spoon, stir in the almonds. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and create numbers by arranging the blanched halved almonds on its top, to denote the new year, pressing in lightly.

Bake in a preheated, moderate oven (150 oC) for about 1 hour or until a knife inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Note: For the sake of tradition, wrap a coin in a piece of foil and press it into the mixture before baking. The one that find's the coin, has good fortune for the year.

Enjoy!

SPECIAL THIS MONTH Garlic English Sausages Buy 1 pack, get 1 free Pork Shoulder â‚Ź2.75 per kilo Beef Shin â‚Ź5.00 per kilo

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

19

GOA – The Tropical Paradise Nagaraja Rao

We are currently on a visit to Goa and I thought that you may be interested in reading something about this tropical paradise.

At the moment the temperatures are around 30°C during the day and are in mid to high twenties at night.

Goa is one of the smallest states of India (area – 3,702 sq.km; total area of India is 3.28 million sq.km) situated in the South Western part of India on the Arabian Sea. It is a very popular holiday destination for not only the Europeans, Americans and Russians but also for the Indians themselves.

For those we like to try their luck at the tables there are a couple of casinos. What is interesting about these is they are retired cruise ships which are stationary and are anchored to the Mandovi river bed. In addition to gambling tables they also provide live entertainment and unlimited food and drink (even if you do not gamble) for a very modest entrance fee. Transport on small boats to and from the casinos is provided.

The Goan Carnival is a legacy of the Portuguese. It is held just before the fasting season of Lent in February. It lasts for 3 days.

The carnival parade is a spectacle not to be missed.

Goa is also famous for its beaches. The beaches in North Goa tend to be crowded but those in South Goa are wide and are much less crowded. Goa is also the place to visit if you like water sports such as windsurfing, parasailing, water skiing, jet skiing and scuba diving.

Shopping There are many shops selling artefacts from all over India in North Goa, particularly in Calengute and Candolim. I would strongly recommend a visit to the flea market on Anjuna Beach (every Wednesday) and the Saturday night Arpora market.

Eating in Goa Goa caters for all types of palates. In North Goa in particular, there are literally hundreds of restaurants offering Indian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, European and fusion cuisine – one is really spoiled for choice. The local Goan fish curry and rice is very popular.

Goa has a population of 1.35 million and the literacy rate is one of the best in India at 82%. The two main languages spoken are, “Konkani” and “Marathi” but the two national languages, Hindi and English (yes – English is one of the national languages of India) are very widely spoken.

History of Goa Goa was referred to as “Gomantak” (meaning fertile land with plentiful of water) in the ancient Hindu literature. Over the millennia it was ruled by many Indian dynasties and Muslim Sultans. The well known Portuguese traveller Vasco da Gama arrived in Goa in 1498. It was invaded by the Portuguese in 1510. It remained under the Portuguese rule till 1961 when the Indians annexed Goa by military action and took control as the Portuguese refused to leave voluntarily. Even today, you can see a lot of Portuguese influence.

Goa the Holiday and Party heaven!

For anyone who loves partying, Goa is the place to visit. People (locals and visitors) just love partying, particularly during December and January, the most popular period of the year.

The beach parties of North Goa are legendary. These can go on all night. The Anjuna beach party, held every full moon night, is particularly popular.

Places to visit Goa has more to offer than simply sun and parties. Any one visiting Goa must visit the many beautiful white-washed churches and Hindu temples in “Old Goa”. The Basilica Bom Jesus is very famous as the mortal remains (which are miraculously preserved intact) of St. Xavier (the patron Saint of

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

20

GOA Continued ...

Nagaraja Rao

Goa – who died in 1552) are kept here.

The spice plantations are another tourist attraction. The 200 metre high “Dudhsagar” water falls is quite a spectacle and the nearby “Bhagwan Mahavir” wild life sanctuary has many animals including panther, leopard and several varieties of deer.

Have you recycled your cans this week?

Getting to Goa It is much easier coming to Goa from the UK (from where there is a much wider choice) than from Cyprus. For example, there are a plenty of charter flights from the major UK airports directly into Goa. Rather than go up North and then fly down South again, we chose to travel from Larnaca to Mumbai via Bahrain and then to Goa. It is possible to fly directly to Goa from Dubai and Doha in Qatar.

Reference:http://www.bharatonline/goa

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.

www.cansforkids.org

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

21

The Humble Olive Following on from our September edition article about the history and goodness of olive oil, we are this month concentrating on the preparation of the olives as this is now well underway all around us. If any of you get the chance to go olive picking, do - it's something that we should all experience at least once!

The Olive tree (Olea europaea; family Oleaceae)is so beautiful and often with ancient knarled trunks and branches, they have such an individual character. It is still often a family exercise in Cyprus in the winter to pick the olives and take them to the olive mill where they will be pressed into virgin olive oil.

smaller one, which can be held in one hand easily, to be used to crush the olives. You also need a good apron to protect your clothes.

2. Take one of the olives, hold it with one hand on the large stone and with the smaller stone, hit it lightly so that the olive cracks but not the kernal inside (or your fingers!).

3. When all of the olives have been cracked, put them in a glass or earthenware jar and cover them with water which has to be changed every day at the same time for three consecutive days.

The problem with olive picking is that you are never quite sure when the olives will be ready. It depends on a number of things, mainly weather and rainfall, which of course is unpredictable.

The humble little fruit is very versatile and in addition to the oil that is produced from it, can be used extensively in cooking and salads or just eaten on its own once it has been given a little attention.

4. On the third day, bring natural mineral salt (1kg for 4kg of olives) to the boil in 3 litres of water. When it boils, skim off the froth from the salt and test that the brine is the right strength by dropping a raw egg into it – If the egg half floats it is right but if it sinks, add more salt and recheck.

We have many kinds of preserved olives in Cyprus, the most common of which are the black variety, 'elies mavres', and the green crushed ones called 'elies tsakistes'.

The green olives taste best when they are crushed and prepared at home - 'tsakistes' and this is not difficult: You should buy them after the first winter rains as before this, they tend to be too course textured. When buying your olives to make 'tsakistes', don't be talked into buying the large variety as these are used for a different kind of pickling. You will need the medium sized green olives – nothing else will do!

1. Once you have the olives, a trip to the beach is in order to find two suitable stones – one large flat one to serve as a slab and a

5. Empty the water from the olives and cover them with the brine, then top them with clean vine leaves and slices of lemon before putting the jar's lid on.

They will keep for several months.

Whenever you want some, take them out and rinse them. They may have formed a dark skin but that is fine.

Serve them with lemon juice, olive oil, some crushed garlic and crushed coriander seeds.

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

22

Crossword

Sudoku

Answers in next month’s issue of PALS

"We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential."

Ellen Goodman

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

23

Children Of Nepal Projects We would like to express our gratitude to PALS Magazine and their many readers who have taken such an active interest in our work with children in Nepal. So many have very generously supported the various fund raising events in the local community during the last three months and it has been a pleasure to meet you all to collect your gifts for us to take to Nepal.

Our provisional target for this year had been to raise â‚Ź4,500 and we are delighted to announce that we have exceeded this by a considerable margin; in fact by the time you are reading this piece we will be back in Nepal with â‚Ź7,000 ready to use on this year's projects. Added to that sum will be a further â‚Ź1,500 that we have been given to sponsor the education of two children for the next academic year. We are also ready to make a link between The Paphos Aphrodite Rotary Group and The Patan West Rotary Club with a view to accepting a final donation from them both in the middle of February.

We are so grateful for all the hard work undertaken by Ray and Catherine Elliott, Bob and Jean Wickens, Trish Wilson and Karen Henderson, Anne and Keith Empsom, Geoff and Jo Burgess , Marion and David Doig and David and Monica Gisborne who all hosted a variety of the most enjoyable fundraising meals, coffee mornings and tea parties together with sales of artwork and jewellery. We know how hard they all worked with their various teams of helpers and how much their guests enjoyed the events they arranged. Raising funds for Nepal has also given us both the chance to meet so many kind people in the Polis Area. We have also been overwhelmed by the number of private contributors who have made donations towards the projects outside of the organised events. A very special mention to the three Nepalese people, living and working around Polis, who have provided demonstrations of Nepali dancing and made their own private donations to the projects. We were very touched by their generosity and amazed to find them living in this area.

tourists and so avoid the need to leave their rural community.

We will also provide a school in Chitwan with science equipment, library shelves and books, a computer and printer plus art and sports equipment. This school is attended by many of the children from the village that we helped last year. Again the aim is also to provide materials for an after school centre for the children to improve their conversational English under the guidance of volunteers. As in Nuwakot, conversational English will enable the children to find work in the local hotels and tourist industry providing much needed income for their families without having to leave their local communities.

We will also provide conversational language resources to three other rural centres in Nepal. It is our intention to send reports to PALS on a monthly basis to keep you all informed of our progress while we are in Nepal.

Again our deepest gratitude and thanks to all those who have contributed to The Children of Nepal Projects.

Happy New Year.

John and Penny Smith.

The money that has been raised will be directed to two main projects. A foster home is being built in Nuwakot for a group of deaf children who attend a deaf school there where they board during term time. At present the children live in appalling conditions at the school. Himalayan Encounters, the company we work with in Nepal, are providing a new home for the children in the village with Foster Parents to run it. We have been asked to provide beds, mattresses, furniture and all the needs of a home plus a computer, printer, educational and sports equipment and art materials.

The aim is to also create an after school centre based at the home for all the children of Nuwakot to use to improve their use of conversational English under the guidance of volunteers who will be based there throughout the year to work with them.

With a good use of conversational English the children will be able to work in their home village in the future with the visiting PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

24

Prevention Is Better (and Cheaper) Than Cure

By Ken Bwye

Gents, if you have to spend your spare time spraying mould and mildew spots and infestations, then rubbing down and repainting walls. Ladies, If you spend your time sorting through your wardrobe to throw out clothes that have been ruined by mould and musty smells, or handbags and shoes that have turned green with mildew, then read on‌‌.

Every year at this time, damage to our homes and our health from invasive damp becomes a problem, not only in Cyprus, but in all Mediterranean shores and islands, including mainland Greece and Turkey.

It is all to do with poor insulation, even poorer ventilation and extraction, and a failure to build homes which suite the prevailing weather conditions.

The results are mould growth in unsightly black patches on walls, green mildew on furniture and clothes in the wardrobes, and a musty smell in unused rooms. On top of this, and perhaps, more importantly, the effect on your health, of living in a damp environment.

All of this unpleasantness can be avoided.

The problem is caused by excessive moisture in the air inside our homes. (Humidity). This moisture is created when we cook, shower, do washing and ironing, make cups of tea, and even when we breathe whilst watching TV or when we sleep. If you cook or heat with bottled gas, you will be creating enormous amounts of excess moisture. 90 to 95 percent humidity is quite common in our homes on a winter evening.

through building faults or leaks.

On the other hand, the lack of adequate ventilation in the building, combined with the lack of insulation in walls and ceilings is the main contributor to the problem.

If you able to install extract fans in your bathrooms, rather than rely on opening a window, (which can be counter productive if the wind blows the moist air into your living area) and ensure that your cooker hood extracts to the outside, then you will have gone a long way to solving the problem.

If you are unable to do this, then running a Dehumidifier from about October onwards, until the weather improves again, will cope with the excess moisture as it is produced, ( up to 23 litres per 24 hrs, depending on the model). It will dry out damp from walls, ceilings, cupboards and wardrobes and filter out the mould spore to prevent the spreading of the contamination, and reduce the musty smells..

The cost of running a dehumidifier is about the same as two, hundred watt light bulbs, and with 'Smart Control'™ the cost is reduced as the machine is fully automatic and looks after itself.

They are not expensive to buy either, and four models are available to choose from.

What ever it costs to buy and run, it will certainly be less than the cost of repairs and replacements in your home.

For more information, contact the author on 97 63 05 39 or see us at www.dehumidifiersincyprus.com.

During the night, when the air in our rooms becomes cooler, this excessive moisture will condense on the coldest surfaces it can find. The first and obvious sign of an impending problem is condensation on your windows when you get up in the morning. Less obvious, is the condensation on your walls and ceilings, particularly north facing walls. This will soak into the plaster surfaces unseen, and over a period of time, the walls will become damp.

Furnishing, materials, leather as well as clothes and bedding will start to absorb moisture as relative humidity levels climb, and things will also 'feel' damp.

Mould and mildew growth thrives in damp environments, in the same way that weeds thrive in a damp garden. As weeds spread their seeds using currents of air to colonize your garden, so mould spore can colonize your damp walls and cupboards in the same way. Some mould spores are toxic, of course, as well as invisible to the naked eye, and if they enter the respiratory system, can cause mild or sometimes severe bronchial problems.

Very rarely in our experience, does this damp enter our homes PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

25

PALS Magazine October 2010 www.palsmagazine.com

26 Win an EXCLUSIVE PALS Magazine mug plus a unique Euro keyring!

Winner is first correct entry out of the hat

Prize Puzzle

Closing date for entries is 12.00pm 15th January 2011

Samurai Sudoku puzzles consist of five overlapping sudoku grids. The standard sudoku rules apply to each 9 x 9 grid.

Place digits from 1 to 9 in each empty cell. Every row, column and every 3x3 box should contain one of each digit.

December Solution

Name

Winner: John Cowgill, Simou Village

Telephone Email Address Send competition entries to: PALS Magazine Latchi Marina Complex, Block C, No. 10 & 11, Latchi, Polis Chrysochous, Paphos Or fax +357 26 323 539 or send scanned entry by email: editor@palsmagazine.com

By Akis Express: PALS, Polis Chrysochous By hand to PALS office, Latchi Harbour By entering this competition, you hereby agree to abide by the competition rules. The full rules are on display in the PAL Office, or are available on request by post, fax or email. Winner(s) will be notified as soon as reasonably practicable after the Competition draw/decision. No purchase is necessary. One entry per applicant. All entries must be received by the deadline for that Competition and late or incomplete entries may, in the absolute discretion of the Company, be disqualified. Proof of posting shall not be deemed proof of delivery. No responsibility can be accepted for entries which are lost, delayed, misdirected or corrupted during delivery to or from the Company due to any computer malfuntion, virus, bug, delay or failure of the postal service or other reason whatsoever. Competitions are not open to: (a) the employees, agents or subcontractors of the Company; (b) any Competition sponsor or its employees, agents or subcontractors; (c) the immediate families of such employees or sponsors.

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

27 NEW LOW COST HEATING

USUAL PRICE €4,995 SPECIAL OFFER TO FIRST 30 CUSTOMERS ONLY €3,995 5 RAD SYSTEM Need less than 5 radiators or more than 5 please call for prices or visit the website

YOU CAN SEE THIS AMAZING SYSTEM WORKING IN CHLORAKA

If you want piping hot radiators in your home call us now.

We only have this offer for the first 30 orders call now to avoid disappointment

Call now for details

96721669

www.calfri.eu ASK FOR GRAHAM www.calfri.eu

1,000s Installed around Europe stop USING THE PLUG IN HEATERS stop USING THOSE GAS FIRES YOU CAN EVEN DRY YOUR CLOTHES ON OUR RADIATORS...JUST LIKE IN THE UK

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

28 WorkshopStudents Students Workshop Comments Comments

Children’s Joy at Platres When i was interviewing customers of the Chocolate Workshop in relation to the above advert, i spoke to Catt Kyriakou and felt that I should share her comments with you.

As parents in Cyprus, it is often difficult to find somwhere to take the children for a special treat or somwhere warm and dry in the winter that is also appropriate and fun for them. Catt takes her children, Andriana and Zoe to Platres to make their own chocolates, Easter eggs and they “absolutely love it”.

She said that the first time they went, which is when the photograph opposite was taken, “the delight on their fa c e s w a s b e t t e r t h a n anything i have ever given them”. adult courses too.

Apart from the children’s pleasure in working with chocolate, getting messy and the eating of the end result, “John Adams is absolutely lovely” with them and makes the whole experience relaxed and great fun, as he does with

“It’s well worth a visit”, and not just for children! All of the adults I spoke to who have attended the workshop, couldn’t say enough about what fun they had while learning so much, ranging from where chocolate comes from, it’s methods of manufacture, different types and right through to how to make your own.

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

29 Come up with the funniest caption (in the opinion of the PALS Magazine staff) and win yourself a plate of COD AND CHIPS at Tammy’s Traditional Fish ‘n Chips in Latchi!

Send competition entries to PALS, see page 3 for details.

Closing date for entries 15th January CAPTION:

NAME ADRESS

LAST MONTH’S WINNER:

“When they asked Santa to take a break, I did not think I would be the kit kat!”

Tony Hester, Latchi

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

Latchi 99377443

30

A Guide Dog Owner’s Guide Part 3 Jan Gibson

As promised last time, I'll tell you a little about Guide Dogs, as The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is re-branding itself, yes it's the commercial break, but please go and put the kettle on, make a cuppa then return and read on!

There is a Roman mural depicting a dog leading a blind person.

In modern times however, after the 1st World War, in Germany, a doctor realised that his dog was leading a blinded soldier and dogs were specially trained for the purpose of guiding blind people. The idea was further developed by a Mrs Eustis, an American lady living in Switzerland, from which the American Seeing Eye Dogs were founded. In 1931 Mrs Eustace lent one of her trainers, a Polish ex-officer, Captain Liakhoff, (he never went back), to the fledgling UK association to start training dogs.

Starting out in a Nissan Hut in the Wirral with four dogs, now there are over 6000 'units' in the UK, plus the dogs in training either for new units or replacement dogs.

Guide Dogs also deliver a range of additional confidence building services for adults, children and young people, designed to support their independence needs. Recent developments have seen the age limit being lowered to 14 years, after very carefully monitored trials, (there is no upper limit), the first Guide Dog being admitted to a Mosque, a dog being trained as a Hearing Dog and a Guide Dog for a blind girl in Leeds who has now lost her hearing as well as her sight, and a dog being dual trained as a Guide Dog and Assistance Dog for a blind girl in Torquay who now uses a motorised wheel chair.

Many Guide Dogs have been to university, though none have actually been awarded degrees, and one is a regular attendee at the House of Commons, (the only sensible one there).

All Guide Dogs income is from charitable giving, it is a fact that two out of every three new dogs are funded as a result of

bequests in wills. There are also the familiar boxes in pubs etc, and the collecting days at supermarkets, town centres and sporting events. Plus there is a hardy band of supporters who leap out of perfectly serviceable aircraft, (with a parachute), climb mountains, trek through deserts, ride white water rivers, etc to raise funds. It costs an average ÂŁ10 a day to support a Guide Dog from birth, through training, working life and retirement to cremation. All food is supplied and vets bills are paid, (each dog has a 6 monthly medical going to 3 monthly when the dog is 8 years old), so that there is no cost to the blind person except 50p to lease the dog for life, which is a legal requirement. When I trained with Yana, if a blind person was getting unemployment benefits, they were stopped as the person were not available to seek work, despite the fact that having a dog opened up employment opportunities.

Besides helping at collections I am also a Guide Dog Speaker, giving talks to church groups, schools, brownies, etc not always to raise funds but to raise awareness about Guide Dogs. There are times when we need sighted assistance, a busy road with a Zebra crossing for instance, only Pelican crossings have the beeps. There have been many occasions when I have been told that a driver has halted and has been waving me across which I don't see of course, but if they toot the horn the dog will not budge. There is also the strange places or the inconsiderate parked car on pavement, so please if you see us by the kerb, and both dog and owner has a worried expression please offer assistance. If you would like more information you can 'Google' Guide Dogs.

If you see me and Dipper out and about, please stop us and have a chat, unless we are in the middle of the road of course. Dipper and I have enjoyed writing these articles, a new venture for us, and we hope you have enjoyed reading them.

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

31 New Quality Seafood Deliveries in the Polis Area The Seafood Shop is providing a weekly delivery service in Polis on set mornings for Argaka, Polis, Latchi and Neo Chorio Residents.

the most comprehensive choice of fish and shellfish in Paphos, together with meat and game from the UK. The full list of the high quality stock is available to view on the

You may order on-line at www.seafoodshoppaphos.com or telephone the friendly staff at the Kissonerga shop (26940947) who, like the delivery staff, are also knowledgable about cooking methods if any advice is needed concerning your purchase. Payment is made upon receipt of your order.

Special deliveries to individual addresses can be arranged upon request.

The Seafood shop is a well established and popular stockist of

website and, of course in the shop. Give your palette a treat and have a look to see if the Loch Fyne salmon, milts mussels or maybe the smoked haddock takes your fancy this week.

Don't forget to order your oysters in time for that romantic meal on Valentines day next month!

Greek Lesson Two Friends at a Bar

Would you like to dance? Θα ήθελες να χορέψεις?

Tha itheles na chorepsees?

Hi, sorry I'm late. Γειά, απολογούµαι που άργισα.

Yia, apologoume pou argisa

Can I have the bill, please? Το λογαριασµό, σας παρακαλώ?

To logariasmo, sas parakalo?

Don't worry. Would you like a drink? Μην ανησιχείς. Θέλεις κάτη να πιείς?

Meen anisichis. Thelis kahti na pieis?

Yes. Something non-alcoholic, please. I'm driving. Ναι. Κατι χωρίς αλκοόλ, παρακαλώ. Θα οδηγίσω µετά.

Ne. Kahti choris alcool, parakalo. Tha odigiso meta.

No problem. A soft drink? Κανένα πρόβληµα. Αναψηχτικό?

Kanena provlima. Anapsichtiko?

Perfect. Thank you. Ωρέα. Εφχαριστό.

Orea. Efharisto.

How was your day? Πως ήταν η µέρα σου?

Pos itan i mera sou?

The start of a new year is the perfect time to turn a new page, which is probably why so many people create New Year's Resolutions. The beginning of a new year often feels like a fresh start, a great opportunity to eliminate bad habits and establish new routines that will help you grow p syc h o l o g i c a l l y, emotionally, socially, p h y s i c a l l y o r intellectually. Of course, resolutions are much easier to make than to keep and by the end of January many of us have abandoned our resolve and settled back into our old patterns!

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

32 January 2011 Helping Local Animals in Need Games night AT THE 'B2TWEEN BAR' (Past Porto Latchi Restaurant), at 7.30pm, 12th January, & on alternate Wednesdays. Play Cribbage, Rummikub, Dominoes & Cards * Win Prizes on the Jigsaw Jackpot *.

Food available from 6.30.

JANUARY EVENTS Bookshop Open Monday to Saturday from 10.00am to 1.00 pm. Although predominantly English books and magazines, we also have a selection of German, French and Greek.

Also on sale are Greetings Cards, CDs, DVDs and jigsaws.

Phone – 99077352 – shop hours.

Closed - January 1st and 6th Quiz Nights (the original and still the best!)

Every fortnight at the Latchi Village Tavern – next dates for your diary are - January 6th and 20th €2.00 entrance fee donation. Winners' prizes.

Scrabble Every Wednesday at the Latchi Village Tavern, 10.15am for 10.30am start. €2.00 entrance – highest scoring word wins 25% of the Pot. For more information - phone Jackie on 99 067608

New Year Special…'BEETLE dRIVE'..

At The B2TWEEN RESTAURANT, Wednesday 26th January at 7.30; with Hot Buffet Meal, 12 euros. Call 26322495 or 96537205 'BOULES' AT THE ARGAKA PICNIC SITE : starting at 10.00am Come and play 'BOULES IN THE ROUGH' with a friendly group. 2 euros each. Boules available for new players.

No experience needed. Tel 96537205

CLEARING OUT? We need 'BRIC a BRAC', Household Items, Books, DVD's, & Clothing for our 'Duckpond' Market stall, at Chlorakas, every Sunday and Wednesday, 8.30am to 1.00pm Please call 99903205 Thankyou.

HELP POLIS ANIMAL RESCUE GROUP TO HELP THE ANIMALS PLEASE put donations into our jars around the area & leave DRY CAT FOOD at; • 'HOLITEC' OFFICE (By 'Crystal Marine' Office, Prodromi); • EASY SHOP Minimarket, Latchi.

Not PALS Office please. • DUCKPOND Market Stall, Chlorakas.

WE URGENTLY NEED YOUR HELP WITH FUNDRAISING, FOSTERING KITTENS, CAT FEEDING, TRANSPORT etc. we have many lovely kittens that need good homes. If you can help in any way please call 97839240 Visit our new Website; www.polisanimalrescuegroup.com A Happy New Year to All Our Supporters

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

33 How can you SAVE when moving money in 2011?

Charles Purdy Happy New Year to you! International payment providers, or currency specialists, are similar to banks in that they help their customers to send or receive money from overseas locations.

In most cases, money is sent to Cyprus for the payment of a property or mortgage - and of course, there are also pension transfers. It's also quite normal to transfer money to buy a car or a boat. Sometimes even an aeroplane! And money often needs to be moved to Cyprus to pay for a swimming pool or an extension to a property.

In various instances, funds from Cyprus may be transferred abroad to top up a savings account or pay bills back in the UK. Regardless as to whether money is coming or going, when making an international payment, funds need to be exchanged from one currency to another and then transferred to the onward destination. Whether you use a bank or a currency specialist, the actual products and overall process are pretty much the same across the board. The difference, however, is in the level of service that you ultimately receive. Here are some frequently asked questions: Question: How can I save money when paying or receiving payments to and from the UK? Answer: Use a specialist international payment company rather than a bank and save around £40 for every £1,000 paid or received.

Question: How does an international payment specialist company create this saving?

Answer: Rather than you having to accept an uncompetitive rate from your bank, a specialist will call the currency trading floors directly to negotiate an excellent rate on your behalf. In many cases, a specialist is able to get rates that are 4% better than offered by a bank. On £100,000 this can equate to a whopping £4,000 saving. In addition to better rates, specialists know and understand the payment system and can often eliminate or reduce the various fees associated to international transfers.

Question: Aside from being able to get better exchange rates and reduced fees, does a payment specialist offer any other benefit?

Answer: Yes, aside from being able to talk to a dedicated resource, rather than calling a busy bank call centre, you'll also have the benefit of discussing various money saving options.

One option is to talk about how you can minimise the risk of your payment cost from increasing or your receipt of funds from decreasing. Whether you need to make a large sum payment or set up a system to receive a pension payment, it's possible to buy at a fixed currency rate now and pay later. This allows you to know that the amount paid or received will not change – even if the exchange rates do!

Question: The savings sound excellent – but how do these organisations make their money?

Answer: Similar to the bank, an international payment specialist takes a margin between the buy and sell rate of the

currency. However, the margin taken by the specialist is far less than the one taken by the bank.

Question: How safe are international payment specialists?

Answer: They are regulated

by HM Customs and Excise along with being registered with Companies House (both verifiable over the Internet). Furthermore, due to recent legislation, they are also regulated by the FSA. I am more than happy to answer any other questions you may have, so please call me.

Charles Purdy is a Director at Smart Currency Exchange Limited – the international payment specialists. To move money overseas, including funds for pensions, property purchases and also the repatriation of funds back to the UK, go to www.SmartCurrencyCyprus.com for your FREE reports and further information, or just telephone our local number (00 357) 26030213.

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

34

Where DO you buy a property in Cyprus?

Kim Brown, Director at The Overseas Guides Company Happy New Year everyone!

Several years ago I sold a home in the UK and purchased another immediately. One condition of the sale was that I moved out within a month of the purchase. Although the move-in date on my new home was only three months later, I agreed and moved into a friend's house temporarily.

Neighbourhood Paphos is famous for its British enclave whereas Limassol is known for its Russian population. Many buyers are interested in areas away from tourist spots with a mainly local people…all are available in Cyprus – just ask!

Sadly, the sellers pulled out of the sale and I felt almost obliged to buy the first property available to save the friendship. The property I purchased was a new build on a brand new estate.

The house was great and the neighbourhood looked quiet and respectable.

Remember too, that many properties are owned by buy-to-let investors. Are you happy to live in an area with holidaymakers coming and going? And when not let out, are you okay with an empty house next door?

Well – once I moved in, I discovered how wrong I was. I woke at 4am every morning to the sound of revving engines from a nearby railway siding. The busy road beyond my hedge wasn't a problem until road works started – and continued for over a year. The final straw was the conduct of neighbours nearby: noisy domestic arguments saw the police called out on a weekly basis.

These are just a few things that may affect your quality of life.

Talk to people who have already purchased in Cyprus and compare notes. The more time you take in preparation, the better your chances are of finding an area that truly meets your requirements.

I had committed the cardinal property sin: I had failed to research the area and purchased a property that was simply not suitable for my tastes.

It reminds me a bit of Cyprus. Many people visit the island only briefly before buying. Ideally, the best plan is to rent in Cyprus for several months to get an idea of what suits you best. Failing that, consider the following:

Kim Brown is the author of the Cyprus Buying Guide. The guide is a publication dedicated to exposing poor practice, property buying pitfalls and providing an educational instruction manual to buying and/or investing in Cyprus property. Go to www.cyprus-buying-guide.com/pals.htm to get your free mini version of the guide.

Noise Levels If you are near a main road there will be general traffic noise.

Also, Cyprus is home to many who think it's cool to race their cars around noisily at the dead of night. I've also experienced a few restless nights near the sea, with fishermen setting off at the crack of dawn. Consider too, airline flight paths…and that quiet day-time coffee shop that turns into a lively cabaret club at night…

Answers For Last Month’s Puzzles

December Crossword

Proximity to Places of Interest When in Cyprus will you be walking or driving and what are your requirements? What about schools, medical facilities, golf courses, the hairdresser, shops? These are just a few of the questions you need to ask yourself.

Terrain When my in-laws moved overseas they rented before taking possession of their new build. The place that they rented was on the side of a hill. It looked lovely but the hills were just too steep; even a stroll became an endurance test.

December Sudoku

Temperature In Cyprus, the temperature varies between regions. Ask around when you view – everyone loves to talk about the weather!

PALS Magazine January 2011 www.palsmagazine.com

PALS Magazine December 2010 www.palsmagazine.com