Time to dream summer is coming in North Cyprus

It’s forty days since Christmas and winter has finally come. It rains in dull, grey sheets. The smell of wood smoke hangs over village streets. Across the Mediterranean, the peaks of the Taurus Mountains are capped with snow. It’s time to dream …

Summer IS coming, as we always say here. It’s only another 40 days to the middle of March, and, by my reckoning, that Biblical timespan will bring the return of clear skies, when the outdoors beckons once again. For us, that means getting our balcony into shape. It’s been a bit battered by high winds in recent years, some repairs required – and a set of new lights to cast a gentle glow over our evening meals.

Dazzling display

Summer Lights

Few venture out right now, unless they really have to, except us dog walkers, and even then, our little friends have to learn that sometimes, indoor play really is the best option: Now where’s that squeaky rubber monkey?

We took a quick trip to Kyrenia to purchase some wall lights. This could only mean Fanus, a magical shop in a street off the old harbour, where owner Tayfun presides over an Aladdin’s Cave of dazzling illuminations, Turkish carpets and pottery.

Meanwhile, a bottle of red wine from Moldova (pretty good, as it happens) and a big fat pizza by the fire brings some comfort on a cold evening. I was surprised to discover that our local takeaway was the “Official Food Delivery Partner” of the recent World Cup in Qatar, at least, that’s what is said on the box! I confess I didn’t see any mention of the Park Cafe while watching the tournament on TV, but you never know.