We decided to forego the broad highway and the roadsides of pink and white oleanders for the twisty mountain roads through pine and cedar forests and what we thought was a mouflon sighting. It turned out to be a wild goat.

The air was scented with pine and the only sounds was an the occasional bird call. Bushes of wild rose were flowering everywhere. They are said to have many medicinal qualities.

We stopped off at Kalopanayiotis, a quaint mountain village with its medieval churches and frescoes and had a delicious mint tea and spoon sweets- a melee of walnut, cherries and quince in syrup. All eaten before I thought of a photo.

We were served by a striking tall young woman who spoke great English and Greek. When I quizzed her she said she was Ukrainian and had come as a child of 8, went through Greek school and was now happily settled here with some members of her family joining her.

Finally back in the capital Nicosia to meet up with family for the baptism of my niece’s son. Some more pebble art done for fun.