Walk and Beach

This morning we took a walk back along the road down to the bay to investigate a sign down a side road that indicated a water tank dating back to early 19C.

It was a much sunnier day than once forecast but still mild enough for walking. The road is level and about 1.4 miles to the turn.

Vineyard for wine production

Once off the main road we began to see various small farming activities. There were numerous small cultivated plots, some with wheat and oats growing, but the most frequent were vineyards.

Dessert wine production

We were interested to note that in addition to the common low growing well pruned gnarled stocks, other patches are set up to grow vines a long wires - we spotted at least three different arrangements.

After about 500m we saw a different sign to a church. This stood on slightly higher ground. It was quite small and seems to have been extensively restored in 1999. It has no electricity for lighting and we wondered quite what is its purpose is, so far from much habitation.

Panorama from church

We walked back to the junction where we saw the sign to the church and walked a little way along the other fork, passing a ruined gateway. Could this be the water tank or was it once a doctor's house as suggested by a stone inscription by the gate?

Olive cultivation

Just around the corner was a lone orange tree with its fruits going to waste. We tried them but were quite sharp, a bit like grapefruit in taste with many pips. Still, we collected a few to use in cooking perhaps!

Water dang (tank)

After turning back we eventually saw the water tank building by the junction - not sure how we missed it twice!

Inside water dang

We re-traced our steps back to the apartment where we had sandwiches for lunch and sat in the sunshine for a good read.

For the afternoon, we drove around to the next bay, down a long and narrow road. At the beach there were quite a few people in the restaurant still enjoying a long Sunday lunch. (One family was still there when we came back some time later)

Apart from that the beach was pretty much deserted with a very occasional walker. We carried on along the mixture of sand and pebbles. We found a couple Of seemingly abandoned plastic chairs (there were several to choose from but most were broken!)

It was a pleasant sit - Mike dipped his toes in the sea but not for long - a quiet place for a read.

We had seen a banner beside the road in Pissouri, announcing that there would be an Anglican service in English this evening 'under the amphitheate'. We had checked out earlier where this was and drove up, not sure what we might find.

This is an outpost from the Anglican church in Limassol and is helps alternate Sundays in  small meeting room built under the modern amphitheatrre in the center of the village. Everything has to be brought in and set up so some aspects can be a bit improvised. The 'organist' was unable to be there so recorded organ accompaniment was used.

Overall, it was a very conventional service, well done with just 16 of us - all the others seemed to be regular local ex pats.

The chaplain  - the term used here in place of parish priest in deference to the more dominant Greek Orthodox church - was formerly in Salisbury diocese and so knows both our present and former bishop.

Amusingly, for want of anything else, the collection was taken in a blue plastic shopping bag. However, the most important thing was that they were very welcoming and obviously pleased to have visitors join with them. Three Sri Lankan ladies sang a sing in Sinhalese as part of the worship.

Although we were invited to join them in the local taverns afterwards, we had to decline as still had to find somewhere to eat.

We came back down to the bay and opted for the place that had seemed especially busy at lunch time. By now we were the only diners left but still welcomed. The food was not complicated but tasty and served by friendly people. At least at this time of year the staff have time to chat.