Cyprus 2016

Manchester Airport Terminal 2. What a comedown from my last two airport experiences at Heathrow Terminal 5 and Liverpool which were efficient and friendly. Initially huge queues to book in with Thomson fortunately they had a number of check in desks open but then the security nightmare began, queue, queue, queue for the two channels they had open even though there were enough staff hanging around to open at least another two channels and the attitude of the people staffing the area was appalling, the passengers were treated as inconvenient encumbrances. The disastrous consequences of all the queuing was no Frankie and Bennie’s breakfast which maybe in the great scheme of things was good for me.

Next rant. If you ever fly Thomson do not get an aisle seat, the aisle seems to be narrower than on other airlines and the stewardesses are wider, a bit like the stewardess on the National Express song, there was a miniature Irish steward but he had no control over his elbows so everyone in aisle seats were constantly being battered or losing their books, drinks etc, the poor girl in front of me had just poured her champagne into the stylish plastic cup provided when the leprechaun knocked it all over her handbag and shoes. I am getting a window seat on the return flight to keep clear of the mayhem.

Booking a three week all-inclusive holiday in Cyprus was probably not the best way of starting a new healthy lifestyle, especially now the understairs is packed to bursting with wine including too many ordered during my South Africa trip. The restaurant in the hotel provides buffet food only so that could aid the healthy lifestyle ‘cos I won’t be eating the tepid food that has been sitting on the counter for hours, looks like fruit for breakfast and salads for lunch and dinner with the occasional kebab and fish & chips at local restaurants.

Enough gloom and doom, today is a new day, the sun is shining and it is lovely and warm. I wonder what it is like in the UK!

Looking back, this is the first hotel holiday I have been on since Jan and I went to Tunisia over New Year about 12 years ago but despite the usual disadvantages like the tepid food and listening to the people next door there are definitely positives. I am surrounded by staff who cater to my every need, no cleaning up after myself and even the bed gets made but the nicest thing about this hotel is it is located centrally for all the places I want to visit and is even on the bus route. The biggest problem at the moment is the hotel is full, there are four teams staying here who are taking part in the Cyprus Cup which is women's competition so it is not all bad. 

I have had to try all over the hotel to find a good enough wifi signal to connect my laptop but I found it by squeezing onto the pay terminal in the foyer so things should be OK from here.

Last night I met Paul and Teresa at Lambros (my favourite fish & chip restaurant) and we went on from there to a quiz, we did not win this time. I am meeting up with another group of friends on Sunday for lunch and music, I will take the camera.