A Matter of Choice

It looks like summer is on it's way, I feel like I want to add at last with that comment which is ridiculous in March, I think it's just an English habit I have! Each year I would be so excited at the start of summer, well spring even but also knowing that it's quite possibly a waste of time to get excited about the "blink and you'll miss it" English summer! I think I'm safe to get excited about summer here though :)

Sunny Cyprus has not been so sunny at the moment! After what looked like a change in the weather we've had some huge storms and so much rain. We were lucky with the weather for the week that Di and the boys were out, it was nice every day and we spent time at the beach and by the pool. Far too cold for most normal people to go in the pool, Tomas got over the cold and enjoyed it, James not so much! In a moment of madness I did throw myself in but not for long! The day after they left it started raining and boy did it rain! We had some drama on Thursday when my Mum came upstairs and told me there was water coming through her ceiling. It turned out the the drain holes on the balcony of the apartment between us and hers were blocked and the balcony flooded into the apartment! All is ok now though as we called the developer and they came and swept all the water out. We then had a day of sun -handy as I managed to get 3 loads of washing done - if the sun's not out it takes days for...

I find it hard to believe we haven't yet been living here for 3 months! I assume it is a good sign that it feels like we have been here forever? So much has happened in such a short time that our first few weeks here appear to be such a long time ago. We had our first visitors this week, (Aaron'sMum and his two of his nephews) and it was great to show them around, it also makes you see the place in a slightly different light. The weather has also changed in the last week or so - there is a definite feel of spring (summer to us!) in the air. In the last week we have been to the beach three times! It's not yet sunbathing weather - not that it would be easy to sunbathe with a mad 9 month old baby, but it's so lovely to be out and about in the sunshine. I have a car now which is making a world of difference to me as I was getting cabin fever being stuck indoors while Aaron was at work. I love my car - it's a Mitsubishi Mirage - I had never heard of that model before...

We are here! In fact we've been here nearly 2 months already, although in many ways it seems like we've been here forever - I assume that is a good sign! It's been so long since my last post that I don't really know where to start, there's lots of things that won't be nearly as interesting to write about 2 months after but the biggest thing is Aaron getting a job :) He's got a very good job for Cyprus, and unusualy for here has managed to do the same thing he did before. It's Kitchen desiging for a large property developers in Limmasol which is just over an hour away but the drive actually takes less time than it took him to get to East London, even though that was half the distance! We have settled very well into our apartment, everything was unpacked within 2 days and we (I say we, I mean Aaron really!) spent the next couple of weeks putting up pictures/mirrors/furniture. I then spent the next month rearranging the kitchen cupboards, and...

It's been a while since my last blog due to a combination of chaos and lack of internet ! We are currently in between homes, having left my parents but staying with my very lovely friend Nic (she might be reading!) We have been to the apartment - (more on that later) and been busy sorting stuff out here and tying up lots of loose ends. This weekend will be busy, we have a leaving party at our local and also Christening / Leaving do on the Sunday. While I am looking forward to both I'm worried I'll be really upset saying goodbyes :( I almost feel it would be easier to just go now as it seems like I've already left, but obviously I wouldn't as I'm never one to miss a party! Our apartment is lovely, I suppose sounds like a strange thing to say after months of looking at the photos which of course look lovely but it's still not the same as being there. I am so pleased that we made the trip even though we'll be back there for good in a week as it gave ...

Well, we are another step closer - quite a big one in fact as our belongings are now somewhere between here and Cyprus! Yesterday morning the shipping company arrived and took all our loving packed (by Aaron who has done almost nothing else for weeks and weeks) boxes and packages. They are due to arrive about a week after we do, so plenty of time to get sorted out and get the Christmas deccys up! It was a very strange feeling watching the van drive away, it's starting to feel a bit more real but I still don't think I really "get" the fact that in 6 weeks time I will be in my new home, and new country! Very excited, slightly terrified but really want to get on with it now as living out of suitcases with a 5 month old baby isn't really ideal!

I always said a plan would present itself and I was right! It was always going to be a big debate as to when exactly we should go permantly but after much discussion - well an hour or so in the pub! (we did continue the conversation for several days after but I think we had really both decided on the first one) we have finalised our moving plans. My parents have a buyer for their house, and A has no more work on his contract so we are off next month!!!!!!!!!! Everything is in action, we are packed for shipping, and they are picking up on Wednesday, from that day we will be living out of 3 suitcases as that is all we can take on the plane, well that a puschair, car seat, travel cot, 3 hand luggage bags and a baby of course! We are having Leo christened before we go, and it will also be our leaving do as we have booked our flight for 2 days afterwards. I can't promise I won't be crying by the end of it! We are going out for 4 days on our own at the begining of Novembe...

The big question now is "when are we going!" and that is a very good question! Currently Aaron is looking for work and as soon as he finds something we are off pretty much. We have already sold our house so it makes sense to move asap as we are now paying the mortgage. Our immediate plans are a 4 day trip (child free as He's off to my mother-in-laws for the duration!) in November which is my wedding anniversary/birthday present from Aaron. Then we are going for 5 weeks over Christmas/New Year. We are having all our stuff shipped to arrive in the 1st week of December so we have time to get a bit sorted out by Christmas - and get the deccy's up of course :) At the moment our conservatory is stuffed full of boxes ready to go, I think Aaron would be happy never to see another bit of bubble wrap or packing tape - he has spent ages getting everything ready. I think we are nearly sorted now though, just got to make a final decsion on which company to use for the shippin...

Our apartment is in the village of Derynia which is on the east coast about 2km south of what is often known as "the ghost town" of Famagusta - the old tourist town which was abandoned in the invasion of 1974 by Turkey. You can actually see some of the abandoned hotels from our balcony. It's about 5 miles from Ayia Napa and Protaras so close enough to visit but far away enough that we're not surrounded by tourists all summer long! The apartment is a large one bed penthouse appartment, I say large as it is 79 sqm and if it was 80sqm it could be classed as a 2 bed! Aaron has completely redesigned the kitchen (It's what he does!) and so we now have a lovely big kitchen / living area with a breakfast bar and big patio doors which almost take up the whole wall, opening onto a balcony where we will have our dining table. There is a lounge which will become our bedroom and the main room (as it's furthest away) will be Leo's. There is another larger b...

After my standard answer of "Why the hell not!" I do have some actual reasons believe it or not! I think one reason I struggle to answer the question is that lots of the reasons seem to obvious to me now. It also goes back to the thought I had that everyone wanted to emigrate, and they would if they could. Some of my reasons - well without wanting to state the glaringly obvious but... the weather, I know everyone moans about the weather in the UK but I can't even begin to tell you how much I hate the weather here. Although I do wonder what the hell people talk about when the weather is completley predictable! The Mediterranen lifestyle, outdoor living, more relaxed (in some ways)- attitude to familes, great for kids. No Health & safety madness (although I'm sure some of it would probably be good the UK surrvived for all these years) Less crime, more freedom for kids Good healthcare, state schools which follow the same style as UK, simliar legal system. No huge ...

Our 1st trip to Cyprus was in August 2007, we went on a property viewing trip, 3 days being driven around by a sales rep, It was very helpful as we spent most of the time learning about the different areas and what it was like to live there once we had convinced Kev (our rep) that we were not buying on this trip. By the time we left we had a much clearer idea of what we wanted, and a long list of questions had been answered. When we got home between the four of us we came up with a long list of what the property / properties would need for us to buy them..... for example.. Location to be not too touristy or full of ex-pats only Within walking distance to shop for essentials (Mum doesn't drive!) Near school / nursery (We were thinking ahead!) Near doctors / hopsital Resonably close to the coast Property to have air con and a pool - I've ALWAYS wanted my own pool so there was no way I could be in Cyprus without one! etc etc - there were more but I can't remember the...

We debated the pros and cons of actually moving abroad for quite a while! (I really wanted to say ages there as it did feel like it but some people might spend longer choosing an outfit I suppose!) My reservations about it, (if you discount the "You just can't move abroad" statement as I had nothing to back that statement up) were... "What it it all goes wrong?" "What if we can't get jobs" "What if we can't pay the mortgage?" "What if we get sick" "What if we think it's too hot" "What if there is an earthquake, or a huge accident or we get abducted by aliens?" "What if..... we don't try and look back in years to come and really regret it?" As AJ pointed out (and I believe he has a point, which can be very annoying!) is that what's to say that any of the above would be more likely to happen there than here - well with the possible exception of it being too hot but I think I...

It turns out that the whole moving idea came about after a conversation between my Dad & A. Dad said he would love to move abroad but Mum would never go and leave me behind. As A. would go in a heartbeat but knew I would'nt want to leave Mum and Dad they thought this an idea worth pursuing! When A asked me, my inital reaction was "Don't be ridiculous" Apart from the fact I didn't want to leave my family and friends my main reason was "People don't just move abroad" At that time I completely belived that everyone wanted to move abroad but just didn't because you can't! I was genuinely surprised to find out that most people, although they may talk about it and say how jealous they are would have no intention of actually doing it themselves. I always said I would move abroad when I retired (the time I assumed I suppose that you "could") Aaron pointed out that as I was 29 that was quite a way off! Also, as I had always wanted a ...

So, how did this huge life changing decsion come about I expect you are wondering.... maybe years spent holidaying in Cyprus? months of careful research? a "too good to pass up" job offer? family or friend connections? NOPE! It went something like this.... One evening (approx August 2007) whilst eating dinner Aaron (in the kind of tone you'd expect to hear something like "Do you want mayo with that?" or "Shall we watch Top Gear?") said, with no pre-amble at all "Do you want to move to Cyprus?" I will never forget that moment, it still cracks me up 2 years later! I remember turning round really slowly and saying (with a slightly bemused look on my face as he was obviously joking!) "Do.I.want.to.move.to.Cyprus?" Him: "Yes" Me: "Cyprus??? Why would we want to move to Cyprus?" Him: "Why not?" Me: We've never even BEEN to Cyprus!" Him: "I know" Me: (now thinking he ha...