tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31168111040915399602024-03-08T17:11:54.948+02:00Barefoot Clan in CyprusBarefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-60212925604130388662011-01-06T15:39:00.004+02:002011-01-06T16:00:58.187+02:00Cara starts guitarCara has bought herself an electric<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSXI-DPkJjI/AAAAAAAAAX0/qpAnRRH-tTE/s1600/Cara%2B%2526%2Bnew%2Bguitar%2B%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559070283406779954" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSXI-DPkJjI/AAAAAAAAAX0/qpAnRRH-tTE/s400/Cara%2B%2526%2Bnew%2Bguitar%2B%25282%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><br />guitar. She's very pleased with herself. Weekly lessons with 'Nicos'<br /><br />(aka Dewey Finn, School of Rock) should be lots of fun! Stick it to the Man!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSXGarOI3YI/AAAAAAAAAXs/t5nMk5oKf4o/s1600/Cara%2Bguitar%2B%25283%2529.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSXK3FOR6tI/AAAAAAAAAX8/u706H82zdQ4/s1600/School%2Bof%2BRock.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 259px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559072362702432978" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSXK3FOR6tI/AAAAAAAAAX8/u706H82zdQ4/s320/School%2Bof%2BRock.jpg" /></a></div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-85146112658529356842011-01-05T18:42:00.003+02:002011-01-05T18:50:26.948+02:00End of the year 2010<div><br /><br /><div>The last 2 months of the year just flew by. It felt like summer for most of it. Ronan & Cara went on Cub & Scout camp on the last weekend in November. Ronan went cycling and kayaking that weekend, Cara went horse riding and scuba diving. They both had a fantastic time. </div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSgeBEHP3I/AAAAAAAAAXk/id3ynsmFJ18/s1600/Jan%2B2011%2Bfor%2Bsorting%2B132.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558744277624242034" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSgeBEHP3I/AAAAAAAAAXk/id3ynsmFJ18/s320/Jan%2B2011%2Bfor%2Bsorting%2B132.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Granny & Grandad Johnson came to visit in December and stayed with us over Solstice. They left on the 29th Dec - back to the snow and freezing temperatures in Scotland. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSgd6JCaDI/AAAAAAAAAXc/PNHz2tylEIM/s1600/Jan%2B2011%2Bfor%2Bsorting%2B098.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558744275765848114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSgd6JCaDI/AAAAAAAAAXc/PNHz2tylEIM/s320/Jan%2B2011%2Bfor%2Bsorting%2B098.JPG" /></a></div></div><div>The boys managed to go swimming in the sea on 1st January 2011, then.... winter arrived in <div><div>Cyprus - rain, thunderstorms and wind. Brr...</div></div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSgd6JCaDI/AAAAAAAAAXc/PNHz2tylEIM/s1600/Jan%2B2011%2Bfor%2Bsorting%2B098.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSgd6JCaDI/AAAAAAAAAXc/PNHz2tylEIM/s1600/Jan%2B2011%2Bfor%2Bsorting%2B098.JPG"></a> </div></div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-2065465982864561312011-01-05T17:48:00.007+02:002011-01-05T18:18:46.582+02:00<div><div><div><strong>October 2010</strong><br /><div><div><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div>Went swimming and diving near Protaras with Nana & Grandad. </div><br /><div></div><div>Grandad dives in. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSV-wzKPHI/AAAAAAAAAWs/6WWSfRvG2z4/s1600/Cape%2BGreko%2Bwith%2BNana%2B%2526%2BGrandad%2B%25288%2529.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558732745565944946" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSV-wzKPHI/AAAAAAAAAWs/6WWSfRvG2z4/s320/Cape%2BGreko%2Bwith%2BNana%2B%2526%2BGrandad%2B%25288%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSV_E7HbRI/AAAAAAAAAW0/lMoDwNtkdcw/s1600/Cape%2BGreko%2Bwith%2BNana%2B%2526%2BGrandad%2B%252810%2529.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558732750968024338" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSV_E7HbRI/AAAAAAAAAW0/lMoDwNtkdcw/s320/Cape%2BGreko%2Bwith%2BNana%2B%2526%2BGrandad%2B%252810%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Ronan jumps off the top (taken through the keyhole!)</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSV_fhWX-I/AAAAAAAAAW8/sJWV1F3wPYU/s1600/Cape%2BGreko%2Bwith%2BNana%2B%2526%2BGrandad%2B%252815%2529.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558732758107709410" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSV_fhWX-I/AAAAAAAAAW8/sJWV1F3wPYU/s320/Cape%2BGreko%2Bwith%2BNana%2B%2526%2BGrandad%2B%252815%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div>Cara jumps in. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Sam enjoying some 'air time'. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSV_lrmIWI/AAAAAAAAAXE/DtwU8lr0izo/s1600/Cape%2BGreko%2Bwith%2BNana%2B%2526%2BGrandad%2B%252816%2529.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558732759761297762" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSV_lrmIWI/AAAAAAAAAXE/DtwU8lr0izo/s320/Cape%2BGreko%2Bwith%2BNana%2B%2526%2BGrandad%2B%252816%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSV_lrmIWI/AAAAAAAAAXE/DtwU8lr0izo/s1600/Cape%2BGreko%2Bwith%2BNana%2B%2526%2BGrandad%2B%252816%2529.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Sean went to Gibraltar to join with some other old booties to run up the Rock carrying stretchers to raise money for Help for Heroes. The McKinstrys came to visit and we spent a lovely day at Governors Beach with them. The Foley kids took part in the Larnaka Run and the Scouts Swimathon. And after a brief short life, little Taco (Ronan's hamster) died. </div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSXtBrkrqI/AAAAAAAAAXM/ZZFdhZm1wzw/s1600/Swimathon%2B2010%2B%252817%2529.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558734639883136674" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSXtBrkrqI/AAAAAAAAAXM/ZZFdhZm1wzw/s320/Swimathon%2B2010%2B%252817%2529.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSYkAN3YYI/AAAAAAAAAXU/i32fhg6xYbQ/s1600/Larnaca%2BRun%2B2010%2B%25286%2529.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558735584382902658" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSYkAN3YYI/AAAAAAAAAXU/i32fhg6xYbQ/s320/Larnaca%2BRun%2B2010%2B%25286%2529.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-40981305150779982432011-01-05T17:09:00.002+02:002011-01-05T17:33:25.353+02:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSPK2HWfCI/AAAAAAAAAWM/3hT3xp0NYgg/s1600/177.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558725256569846818" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSPK2HWfCI/AAAAAAAAAWM/3hT3xp0NYgg/s320/177.JPG" /></a><br /><div><strong>September 2010</strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div>September brought a blessed drop in temperatures. Cara turned 10 years old, we went to the waterpark with friends, and Nana & Grandad Foley came to visit for two weeks. Nana had a birthday while she was here. </div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-79071380766375611802011-01-05T16:45:00.005+02:002011-01-05T17:09:13.104+02:00Update time!!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSG732r1rI/AAAAAAAAAWE/W_hLe-1ZDdQ/s1600/Grecian%2BSands%2B22%2BAug%2B10%2B%252820%2529.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558716203245754034" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSG732r1rI/AAAAAAAAAWE/W_hLe-1ZDdQ/s320/Grecian%2BSands%2B22%2BAug%2B10%2B%252820%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Here's a rundown of the last few months in Cyprus....</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>August 2010</strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div>Taking advantage of the cool of the sea to escape the heat and humidity. We discovered a lovely spot near Ayia Napa for jumping in and snorkelling. We didn't find a lot of fish to look at until we discovered that the 'Yellow Submarine' tourist attraction comes to this point at 11am every day to feed the fish. If you are snorkelling in the water at the same time, you get to see hundreds of fish! The kids had lots of fun diving under the water among the shoals and waving to the people looking out of the porthole windows in the submarine. They found that if they took a big enough breath, they could actually dive down far enough to go right under the submarine. We found another good bit for jumping off - the arch of rock just east of Ayia Napa. Only for the braver among us! </div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz4DWJNAN_dLeOCbMTipVz6Y5ToQAsUHhgaE3HykFtSYT2HcKe3rhutUP12CVO90ce9SEWb2gTkg3vmW_pZ9w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-91717543095259657492010-08-10T21:52:00.002+03:002010-08-10T21:58:39.845+03:00Sizzling!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TGGhLUKw1eI/AAAAAAAAAVs/V9IO1uh3g0U/s1600/SANY0404.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503857435387942370" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TGGhLUKw1eI/AAAAAAAAAVs/V9IO1uh3g0U/s320/SANY0404.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Cyprus is well and truly sizzling now. The nature of the build of the houses means that they soak in heat all day, and then release it into the house at night!! So even at 10pm, it's over 30 deg C inside. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Some of the barefootclan have taken to sleeping outside! Great for stargazing. </div><br /><div></div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-85690834106998756092010-08-05T23:12:00.001+03:002010-08-05T23:23:25.676+03:00Ronan turns 12<div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TFscAh-RygI/AAAAAAAAAVc/uOdHcyWQ0bI/s1600/Waterskiing+12th+birthday+(2).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502022165208353282" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TFscAh-RygI/AAAAAAAAAVc/uOdHcyWQ0bI/s320/Waterskiing+12th+birthday+(2).JPG" /></a><br /><div>Ronan turned 12 on 15 July 2010. Where has the time gone? Only one more year til he's a dreaded teenager. <div><br />He had his first waterskiing lesson. This is him</div><div>learning the correct position with the instructor.<br /></div><div>Also, walking out to the boat, and in the water. </div><div>Unfortunately, Sean didn't manage to get any </div><div>pictures of him actually doing it, but he did</div><div>manage to get upright and ski, holding a bar.</div><div> </div><div>Later, we had a beach picnic with some friends, </div><div>and CAKE of course!!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TFscAQMrixI/AAAAAAAAAVU/vW3dX2_1YOg/s1600/Waterskiing+12th+birthday+(3).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502022160436923154" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TFscAQMrixI/AAAAAAAAAVU/vW3dX2_1YOg/s320/Waterskiing+12th+birthday+(3).JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TFscAQMrixI/AAAAAAAAAVU/vW3dX2_1YOg/s1600/Waterskiing+12th+birthday+(3).JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TFscAQS1nJI/AAAAAAAAAVM/AnCuaSfEmcw/s1600/Waterskiing+12th+birthday+(14).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502022160462748818" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TFscAQS1nJI/AAAAAAAAAVM/AnCuaSfEmcw/s320/Waterskiing+12th+birthday+(14).JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TFscBAvenwI/AAAAAAAAAVk/cuS10Cvrn9E/s1600/12th+birthday+beach+party+(2).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502022173467778818" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TFscBAvenwI/AAAAAAAAAVk/cuS10Cvrn9E/s320/12th+birthday+beach+party+(2).JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TFscBAvenwI/AAAAAAAAAVk/cuS10Cvrn9E/s1600/12th+birthday+beach+party+(2).JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-29395837329841507052010-07-18T00:13:00.005+03:002011-01-05T17:46:59.134+02:00Oh no, neglected again!<div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div>Oh dear, it's July and I see my last post was April!! Then again, I don't really know if anyone is reading this blog any more - if you are, please leave a comment every now and again to encourage me to write more!!<br /><br />SO........ a quick run down. Since April, we have moved house. We said goodbye to sleepy Cypriot Mazotos and moved to Oroklini on the other side of Larnaca. Oroklini is a considerably non-sleepy village, compared to Mazotos anyway, and we needed some time to adjust to the noise of people and traffic (those darn scooters!) instead of sheep and dogs!! Overall, we like it. We are closer now to activities, the beach, Sean's clients, Scouts & Cubs and..... English speaking people!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TFF5AelfsYI/AAAAAAAAAU0/bWDcFtrwE5Q/s1600/At+Troodos.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 215px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 161px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499309669113377154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TFF5AelfsYI/AAAAAAAAAU0/bWDcFtrwE5Q/s320/At+Troodos.jpg" /></a><br />Mum & Dad came to visit in May, and it was so good to see them. We walked in Troodos mountains where we dipped our feet in the cool water, visited Cape Greko where Grandad's sandals were torn to shreds on the unforgiving rocks, ate Cornish pasties (!) in Ayia Napa, visited Dhekelia beach, watched a raft race, and ate lots and lots of ice cream. The two weeks just flew by and it was sad to see them go.<br /><br />At the end of May, Sam had a dream about a hamster called <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TFF51bowgsI/AAAAAAAAAU8/ePhXZhiC0is/s1600/Scribble+(3).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499310578854822594" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TFF51bowgsI/AAAAAAAAAU8/ePhXZhiC0is/s320/Scribble+(3).JPG" /></a>Scribble, and this was his hamster. We searched the pet shops for a Scribble, and eventually found him snuggled up with his brothers and sisters in the back of a pet shop. Sam has been taking good care of Scribble, and we've all been sure to keep him away from Moony as she doesn't need a 'he' friend.<br /><br />In June, we did some house & dog sitting for some friends in... Mazotos! It was weird to be back there for a week, and we were glad we had moved (phew). We looked after Hannah (a Great Dane).<br /><br />Also in June, Sean turned 44, woo-hoo another birthday!! <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TFF6x4mEu0I/AAAAAAAAAVE/DVXOWe2C1NA/s1600/Goodbye+to+Moony+(31).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499311617420344130" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TFF6x4mEu0I/AAAAAAAAAVE/DVXOWe2C1NA/s320/Goodbye+to+Moony+(31).JPG" /></a><br /><br />Then at the end of June, Cara had a very sad day. Her beloved hamster, Moony, had been getting slower recently, and then one day, at the end of June, she passed away. Cara was so sad, but glad to have been able to hold her in her hands in her last few moments. Next day, she organised a beautiful burial ceremony on Oroklini Hill as the moon rose into the starry sky. It seemed a fitting way to let go.<br /><br />In July, Sean made a fleeting trip back to the UK for his Dad's 70th birthday celebration. Of course, he also had a list of things to get - including those disgusting cheesestrings - that can't be found here!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Later in July, 3 new baby hamsters found their way into our lives: Texas (black & white female), Stella (black with white feet female) and Taco (brown & white male) . </div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSQiIhDF8I/AAAAAAAAAWk/g6MgIAy0i_g/s1600/SANY0360.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558726756158085058" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSQiIhDF8I/AAAAAAAAAWk/g6MgIAy0i_g/s320/SANY0360.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSQh9PXvtI/AAAAAAAAAWc/KrNEjO5x2XU/s1600/SANY0355.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558726753131151058" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSQh9PXvtI/AAAAAAAAAWc/KrNEjO5x2XU/s320/SANY0355.JPG" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSQh5fjCwI/AAAAAAAAAWU/Whdy5OvykE0/s1600/SANY0399.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558726752125258498" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/TSSQh5fjCwI/AAAAAAAAAWU/Whdy5OvykE0/s320/SANY0399.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-2259067867536162672010-04-01T21:41:00.004+03:002010-04-01T22:22:48.806+03:00Spring!<div><div>Spring has arrived, here are some pics.</div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S7TxwPkjZxI/AAAAAAAAAUk/-oOjyQ0H4VE/s1600/Layers.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455250859768375058" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S7TxwPkjZxI/AAAAAAAAAUk/-oOjyQ0H4VE/s320/Layers.JPG" /></a> Layers!<br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S7TxwpPIfWI/AAAAAAAAAUs/FMtCSPR9raE/s1600/SANY0144.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455250866657852770" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S7TxwpPIfWI/AAAAAAAAAUs/FMtCSPR9raE/s320/SANY0144.JPG" /></a> Grapevines just sprouting.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S7TtnbYiwWI/AAAAAAAAAUU/HewfP2pL3DI/s1600/SANY0145.JPG"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S7Ttn9t1pYI/AAAAAAAAAUc/Op9UkBqY1V8/s1600/Spring+in+Mazotos+(2).JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455246319490016642" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S7Ttn9t1pYI/AAAAAAAAAUc/Op9UkBqY1V8/s320/Spring+in+Mazotos+(2).JPG" /></a> Poppies and Daisies<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S7Ttm2K2ynI/AAAAAAAAAUM/CUOzt5d6PjM/s1600/SANY0135.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455246300284373618" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S7Ttm2K2ynI/AAAAAAAAAUM/CUOzt5d6PjM/s320/SANY0135.JPG" /></a> Walk through the wheat field<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S7TtmQwHxsI/AAAAAAAAAUE/HOxDrfkElpM/s1600/SANY0140.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455246290240128706" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S7TtmQwHxsI/AAAAAAAAAUE/HOxDrfkElpM/s320/SANY0140.JPG" /></a> A thistle??<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S7Ttl4eDNbI/AAAAAAAAAT8/3Nw8jKlKxks/s1600/SANY0130.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455246283721881010" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S7Ttl4eDNbI/AAAAAAAAAT8/3Nw8jKlKxks/s320/SANY0130.JPG" /></a> Olive tree<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-76205003403188423562010-03-14T23:07:00.005+02:002010-03-14T23:31:41.529+02:00Animal connections<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S51R2xWbOtI/AAAAAAAAATk/yX-5S1oyark/s1600-h/Big+weird+bug+(3).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448601125590350546" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S51R2xWbOtI/AAAAAAAAATk/yX-5S1oyark/s320/Big+weird+bug+(3).JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S51R2pRBRsI/AAAAAAAAATc/z7vZ-pN7aQ8/s1600-h/The+Monster+Moth+(6).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448601123420194498" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S51R2pRBRsI/AAAAAAAAATc/z7vZ-pN7aQ8/s320/The+Monster+Moth+(6).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S51R2XEgd_I/AAAAAAAAATU/o9kpLIXaC00/s1600-h/Big+Snake+(4).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448601118535874546" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S51R2XEgd_I/AAAAAAAAATU/o9kpLIXaC00/s320/Big+Snake+(4).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S51R2Mz-oXI/AAAAAAAAATM/sZFPNvZSTGo/s1600-h/Donkey+visit.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448601115782193522" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S51R2Mz-oXI/AAAAAAAAATM/sZFPNvZSTGo/s320/Donkey+visit.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Here are a few photos of some of the creatures of Cyprus we've encountered recently.</span> </div><div><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">A black Whip Snake that we found dead on the road when we were out cycling. These aren't poisonous, but give you a fright when you see one! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Also, on Sean's hand is the moth that started life as this enormous caterpillar.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Then we have a poor donkey who is tethered near the church. (The donkey</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">is the one in the middle). She is always getting sores on her legs where the rope rubs against them as she moves around grazing. The owner does treat the wounds with spray, but the flies make it difficult to resolve properly. Oh for a little fence so she could be untethered, but that's just not how they do things here. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div> </div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><div><br /></span><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-3216666883622380142010-02-07T22:42:00.012+02:002010-02-07T23:06:16.474+02:00Winter Walking and... Puppies!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oDRCe7EI/AAAAAAAAAS8/11sMfh2gQMQ/s1600-h/Winter+walk+Mazotos+Beach+(2).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435607311838014530" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oDRCe7EI/AAAAAAAAAS8/11sMfh2gQMQ/s320/Winter+walk+Mazotos+Beach+(2).JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Here are some recent pics from a walk we had </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">on Mazotos Beach (nearest to where we live) and </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">our most recent trip to Argos Sanctuary. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">We went to walk dogs and groom cats, but there was a new </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">addition to the sanctuary this day..... puppies!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">5 tiny puppies had been found abandoned in a </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">cardboard box, and brought to the sanctuary.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oDiDX6EI/AAAAAAAAATE/PQ4VrgBzuKU/s1600-h/Winter+walk+Mazotos+Beach+(12).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435607316405151810" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oDiDX6EI/AAAAAAAAATE/PQ4VrgBzuKU/s320/Winter+walk+Mazotos+Beach+(12).JPG" /></a></span></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Just the job for the barefoot kids to give them</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">some love and attention! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oCtFosNI/AAAAAAAAASs/3hafIZb8o-E/s1600-h/New+puppies+at+Argos+Sanctuary+(10).JPG"></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oCtFosNI/AAAAAAAAASs/3hafIZb8o-E/s1600-h/New+puppies+at+Argos+Sanctuary+(10).JPG"></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oCtFosNI/AAAAAAAAASs/3hafIZb8o-E/s1600-h/New+puppies+at+Argos+Sanctuary+(10).JPG"></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oCyZBs9I/AAAAAAAAAS0/9yfEvjpb9Z0/s1600-h/Ronan+%26+Argos+dogs.JPG"></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oCtFosNI/AAAAAAAAASs/3hafIZb8o-E/s1600-h/New+puppies+at+Argos+Sanctuary+(10).JPG"></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oCtFosNI/AAAAAAAAASs/3hafIZb8o-E/s1600-h/New+puppies+at+Argos+Sanctuary+(10).JPG"></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oCyZBs9I/AAAAAAAAAS0/9yfEvjpb9Z0/s1600-h/Ronan+%26+Argos+dogs.JPG"></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oCtFosNI/AAAAAAAAASs/3hafIZb8o-E/s1600-h/New+puppies+at+Argos+Sanctuary+(10).JPG"></a></span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oCtFosNI/AAAAAAAAASs/3hafIZb8o-E/s1600-h/New+puppies+at+Argos+Sanctuary+(10).JPG"></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oCtFosNI/AAAAAAAAASs/3hafIZb8o-E/s1600-h/New+puppies+at+Argos+Sanctuary+(10).JPG"></a></span> </div></span></div></span><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oCd3VXlI/AAAAAAAAASk/0CmjZGTHNQU/s1600-h/New+puppies+at+Argos+Sanctuary+(11).JPG"></a></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oCtFosNI/AAAAAAAAASs/3hafIZb8o-E/s1600-h/New+puppies+at+Argos+Sanctuary+(10).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435607302187561170" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oCtFosNI/AAAAAAAAASs/3hafIZb8o-E/s320/New+puppies+at+Argos+Sanctuary+(10).JPG" /></a></span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oCd3VXlI/AAAAAAAAASk/0CmjZGTHNQU/s1600-h/New+puppies+at+Argos+Sanctuary+(11).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435607298101042770" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oCd3VXlI/AAAAAAAAASk/0CmjZGTHNQU/s320/New+puppies+at+Argos+Sanctuary+(11).JPG" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oCyZBs9I/AAAAAAAAAS0/9yfEvjpb9Z0/s1600-h/Ronan+%26+Argos+dogs.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435607303611069394" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28oCyZBs9I/AAAAAAAAAS0/9yfEvjpb9Z0/s320/Ronan+%26+Argos+dogs.JPG" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div></div></div></div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-39234715720230355572010-02-07T22:17:00.012+02:002010-02-07T22:41:47.113+02:00Sam turns 7<div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28g-yD1ASI/AAAAAAAAAR8/irCgyTkVy2o/s1600-h/Turning+7+Ceremony+(3).JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435599538221285666" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28g-yD1ASI/AAAAAAAAAR8/irCgyTkVy2o/s320/Turning+7+Ceremony+(3).JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Sam had his 7th birthday at the end of January. In our house, turning 7 means leaving 'early childhood' - the years from birth to six. Something really seems to happen when a child turns 7 - it's a new era. We had a special ceremony for Sam, where he carries a globe with a tiny model Sam on it seven times around the 'sun' (the candles). As he went round the 'sun', we played a slideshow of photos from his birth, </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">crawling, walking, running, riding a bike... all the up to the age he is now: climbing trees, reading,</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">and swimming in the sea. </span></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28i2QgStoI/AAAAAAAAASM/Xm8GtoWSeSE/s1600-h/Turning+7+Ceremony.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435601590798169730" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28i2QgStoI/AAAAAAAAASM/Xm8GtoWSeSE/s320/Turning+7+Ceremony.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">This year's cake theme was a knight's </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">castle, complete with Lego figures etc. </span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28lNj80CYI/AAAAAAAAASc/7dL9SS6p4xY/s1600-h/Cake+(13).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435604190178314626" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28lNj80CYI/AAAAAAAAASc/7dL9SS6p4xY/s320/Cake+(13).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28g-L_dzlI/AAAAAAAAARs/jBfPuMZjoKY/s1600-h/Cake+(13).JPG"></a></p><br /><p></p><br /><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28g-L_dzlI/AAAAAAAAARs/jBfPuMZjoKY/s1600-h/Cake+(13).JPG"></a></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S28g-L_dzlI/AAAAAAAAARs/jBfPuMZjoKY/s1600-h/Cake+(13).JPG"></a></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-44142609912482094482010-01-14T22:07:00.015+02:002010-01-14T23:07:14.149+02:00Volunteering at Argos Animal Sanctuary<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S0-ChTi4KnI/AAAAAAAAARM/R59czGyVrEw/s1600-h/First+visit+to+Argos+Shelter+(16).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426699584698591858" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S0-ChTi4KnI/AAAAAAAAARM/R59czGyVrEw/s320/First+visit+to+Argos+Shelter+(16).JPG" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">When we made our 'wishes for 2010' list </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">at the </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">beginning of the year, the kids</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">all wished for more connection with </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">animals. So we went along to the Argos</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Animal Sanctuary on 9th January to see</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">what we could do. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.argossanctuary.com/">http://www.argossanctuary.com/</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Cyprus has a huge problem with unwanted stray cats & dogs, with few</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">services to cope with them. Kittens and</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">puppies tend to find homes, but the </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">older animals aren't always so lucky. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Some do find themselves adopted by </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">holiday makers, and make their way </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">to the UK and </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Germany! </span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><div></div><div>We spent an afternoon walking dogs, <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S0-CiNwU9bI/AAAAAAAAARc/4W-JB9Ohv5M/s1600-h/First+visit+to+Argos+Shelter+(13).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426699600324261298" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S0-CiNwU9bI/AAAAAAAAARc/4W-JB9Ohv5M/s320/First+visit+to+Argos+Shelter+(13).JPG" /></a></div><div>grooming cats, being jumped on, </div><div>barked at, slept on and purred at. </div><div></div><div>At first, Sam was a bit overwhelmed with</div><div>the noise and craziness of the dog runs.</div><div>One run a day is let loose so there were</div><div>about 20 dogs roaming around the place</div><div>which was a bit scary to begin with.</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S0-Ch-4TykI/AAAAAAAAARU/AiKb8U8-NN8/s1600-h/First+visit+to+Argos+Shelter+(7).JPG"></a></div><div>The dog area sure was a contrast to the <div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S0-Ch-4TykI/AAAAAAAAARU/AiKb8U8-NN8/s1600-h/First+visit+to+Argos+Shelter+(7).JPG"></a></div></div><div><div>peace and tranquility of the cat's </div></div><div>enclosure! </div><div></div><div></div><div>By the time we left, the kids all </div><div>reckoned they'd had a great time and </div><div>were asking to come back again the</div><div>next day - which we did! <div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S0-Ch-4TykI/AAAAAAAAARU/AiKb8U8-NN8/s1600-h/First+visit+to+Argos+Shelter+(7).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426699596331207234" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S0-Ch-4TykI/AAAAAAAAARU/AiKb8U8-NN8/s320/First+visit+to+Argos+Shelter+(7).JPG" /></a></div></div><div></div><div><br /></span></div><br /><div><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S0-CisKn8KI/AAAAAAAAARk/7i9zF1uyk8I/s1600-h/First+visit+to+Argos+Shelter+(14).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426699608487620770" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/S0-CisKn8KI/AAAAAAAAARk/7i9zF1uyk8I/s320/First+visit+to+Argos+Shelter+(14).JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div></div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-89700755090559151452010-01-02T21:43:00.002+02:002010-01-02T22:09:34.841+02:00What Happened?Well, the blog has been somewhat neglected since October - I don't know what happened, but I <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Sz-jYogzQsI/AAAAAAAAAP0/XowHRPU4Q-A/s1600-h/Halloween+Samhain+2009+(23).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422232119964549826" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Sz-jYogzQsI/AAAAAAAAAP0/XowHRPU4Q-A/s320/Halloween+Samhain+2009+(23).JPG" /></a>just have been so busy. So here's a quick run down til the end of 2009!<br /><br /><br /><strong>Samhain:</strong> pumpkins in Cyprus are not your round, plump, easy-to-make-a-lantern-out-of kind of vegetable. They're long and skinny. Cara was REALLY keen to make lanterns for our Samhain celebration, so the nearest thing we could find that would do the job was watermelons - just still in season. Of course, we had piles of watermelon after carving three lanterns, we just juiced it, bottled it and drank it for 3 days!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Sz-jYd-cE5I/AAAAAAAAAPs/wQlJkcRjS8U/s1600-h/Kitten+Rescue.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422232117136069522" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Sz-jYd-cE5I/AAAAAAAAAPs/wQlJkcRjS8U/s320/Kitten+Rescue.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Kitten Rescue:</strong> in November, we found a little kitten<br />mewing pitifully in the road nearby our house. We left it over<br />night hoping it's mother would find it, but it was still there<br />in the morning. There are so many unwanted cats & gods<br />in Cyprus, many are feral and end up being poisoned by locals who get fed up of the mess they make raiding bins etc.<br />So this little chap was temporarily adopted by the barefoot clan. He was in a bad way - very skinny with terrible diarrhea (probably worms & fleas). We contacted a nearby sanctuary but they were full. The only place we could find for him was in Paphos - at the other end of the island. A sanctuary van comes up our way once a week, so we looked after the kitten for a week and then (sadly) handed him over to the sanctuary van. We know he'll get the necessary medical care there, and maybe even rehomed. It was a sad day for the barefoot kids.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Winter Solstice 2009</strong>: we celebrated Solstice on the 21st and 22nd December. On the 21st we had our winter feast and gift exchanging, and on the 22nd we were up at 5am to go to the ancient city of Amathus in Limassol to watch the first sunrise after the solstice. There was a small gathering of people there - it was being filmed - and the Ma Gaia frame drummers performed a drumming ritual to Aphrodite in front of the ancient temple grounds. In the picture of the five of us, you'll also see our delightful friend Natalie in the middle!<br /><br /> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Sz-jZPyTVNI/AAAAAAAAAQE/LSk1UPXtR2g/s1600-h/CIMG1672.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422232130506937554" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Sz-jZPyTVNI/AAAAAAAAAQE/LSk1UPXtR2g/s320/CIMG1672.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Sz-jY7hSNuI/AAAAAAAAAP8/Jz6r38H3zWI/s1600-h/CIMG1668.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422232125066852066" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Sz-jY7hSNuI/AAAAAAAAAP8/Jz6r38H3zWI/s320/CIMG1668.JPG" /></a>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-77118224664964857392009-10-25T20:24:00.007+02:002009-10-25T21:31:49.239+02:00The Race....!!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SuSerx-XstI/AAAAAAAAAOw/G-Zv7x1ThXM/s1600-h/CIMG1404.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396612728483197650" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SuSerx-XstI/AAAAAAAAAOw/G-Zv7x1ThXM/s320/CIMG1404.JPG" /></a> <div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The 13th annual Larnaca race called to the barefootclan kids. We only heard about it a few days ago, and training was only for 3 days, but they were keen, keen, keen, so we went.</span></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SuSesA_jPQI/AAAAAAAAAO4/Sw_oF1s5WPA/s1600-h/CIMG1407.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396612732514680066" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SuSesA_jPQI/AAAAAAAAAO4/Sw_oF1s5WPA/s320/CIMG1407.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SuSesA_jPQI/AAAAAAAAAO4/Sw_oF1s5WPA/s1600-h/CIMG1407.JPG"></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SuSesfHSr_I/AAAAAAAAAPI/q25cdVsYs-g/s1600-h/CIMG1408.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396612740600213490" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SuSesfHSr_I/AAAAAAAAAPI/q25cdVsYs-g/s320/CIMG1408.JPG" /></a>The first race was the 6-9 year olds, so Sam & Cara were in this together. Sean ran with Sam. 1400m up Larnaca sea front and back. Cara was over the finish line with some of the first ones. </span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">This is Cara finishing.</span><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Sam at the finish line.</span> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SuSesV21gnI/AAAAAAAAAPA/nV2DDKn97YY/s1600-h/CIMG1410.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396612738115273330" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SuSesV21gnI/AAAAAAAAAPA/nV2DDKn97YY/s320/CIMG1410.JPG" /></span></a><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SuSes8lnpnI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/0-N3MLHTWLw/s1600-h/CIMG1415.JPG"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SuSes8lnpnI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/0-N3MLHTWLw/s1600-h/CIMG1415.JPG"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SuSes8lnpnI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/0-N3MLHTWLw/s1600-h/CIMG1415.JPG"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SuSes8lnpnI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/0-N3MLHTWLw/s1600-h/CIMG1415.JPG"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></a></span></div>Then Ronan's race, the 10-12 year olds. By this time it was getting pretty hot - I was only watching, but still sought the shade. Ronan said he did feel like giving <div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SuSes8lnpnI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/0-N3MLHTWLw/s1600-h/CIMG1415.JPG"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SuSes8lnpnI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/0-N3MLHTWLw/s1600-h/CIMG1415.JPG"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></a></span></div><div>up at one point, but he kept on and finished with the middle bunch, red faced </div><div>and puffing! Maybe the poem "The Race" </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">helped - I read it to them on the drive in this morning, when excitement and anticipation was running high. Here it is:</span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SuSes8lnpnI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/0-N3MLHTWLw/s1600-h/CIMG1415.JPG"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396612748512044658" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SuSes8lnpnI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/0-N3MLHTWLw/s320/CIMG1415.JPG" /></span></a></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">The Race<br />"Quit, give up, you're beaten!"</span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">They shout at me and plead. </span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">There's just too much against you now.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">This time you can't succeed. " </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><div></div><div>And as I start to hang my head</div><div>In front of failure's face,</div><div>My downward fall is broke<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SuSh6kf2SSI/AAAAAAAAAPY/nmro2nu6jRU/s1600-h/CIMG1418.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396616281098438946" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SuSh6kf2SSI/AAAAAAAAAPY/nmro2nu6jRU/s320/CIMG1418.JPG" /></a>n by</div><div>The memory of a race. </div><div><br /></div><div>And hope refills my weakened will</div><div>As I recall that scene,</div><div>For just the thought of that short race<br />Rejuvenates my being. </div><div><br />A child's race, young boys, young men</div><div>How I remember well,</div><div>Excitement sure! But also fear.<br />It wasn't hard to tell. </div><div><br />They all lined up so full of hope</div><div>Each thought to win the race,</div><div>Or tie for 1st or if not that</div><div>At least take 2nd place. </div><div><br />And fathers watched from off the sides<br />Each cheering for his son,</div><div>And each boy hoped to show his Dad<br />That he would be the one. </div><div><br />The whistle blew and off they went</div><div>Young hearts and hopes afire</div><div>To win to be the hero there</div><div>Was each young boys desire.</div><div><br />And one boy in particular</div><div>Whose Dad was in the crowd</div><div>Was running near the lead and thought,<br />"My Dad will be so proud!" </div><div><br />But as he speeded down the field</div><div>Across a shallow dip,</div><div>The little boy who thought to win</div><div>Lost his step and slipped. </div><div><br />Trying hard to catch himself</div><div>His hands flew out to brace</div><div>And mid the laughter of the crowd<br />He fell flat on his face. </div><div></div><div></div><div>So down he fell and with him hope<br />He couldn't win it now ...</div><div>Embarrassed, sad he only wished</div><div>To disappear somehow. </div><div><br />But as he fell his Dad stood up</div><div>And showed his anxious face</div><div>Which to the boy so clearly said:</div><div>"Get up and win the race!" </div><div><br />He quickly rose, no damage done,</div><div>Behind a bit, that's all</div><div>And ran with all his mind and might</div><div>To make up for his fall. </div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>So anxious to restore himself</div><div>To catch up and to win.</div><div>His mind went faster than his legs</div><div>He slipped and fell again. </div><div><br />He wished that he had quit before</div><div>With only one disgrace,</div><div>"I'm hopeless as a runner now.</div><div>I shouldn't try to race. " </div><div><br /></div><div>But in the laughing crowd he searched</div><div>And found his Father's face,</div><div>That steady look that said again,</div><div>"Get up and win the race!" </div><div><br /></div><div>So up he jumped to try again</div><div>Ten yards behind the last,</div><div>"If I'm going to gain those yards," he thought</div><div>"I've got to move real fast!" </div><div><br />Exerting everything he had</div><div>He regained eight or ten,</div><div>But trying so hard to catch the lead</div><div>He slipped and fell again! </div><div><br />Defeat! He lay there silently</div><div>A tear dropped from his eye.</div><div>"There's no sense running anymore</div><div>Three strikes; I'm out; why try! "<br /></div><div></div><div>The will to rise had disappeared</div><div>All hope had fled away;</div><div>So far behind, so error-prone:</div><div>A loser all the way. </div><div><br />"I've lost so what's the use?" He thought</div><div>"I'll live with my disgrace."</div><div>But then he thought about his Dad</div><div>Who soon he'd have to face.<br /><br />"Get up" an echo sounded low</div><div>"Get up and take your place,</div><div>You were not meant for failure here,</div><div>Get up and win the race! " </div><div><br />"With borrowed will, Get up" It said,</div><div>"You haven't lost at all,</div><div>For winning is no more than this</div><div>To rise each time you fall. " </div><div><br />So up he rose to run once more</div><div>And with a new commit,</div><div>He resolved that win or lose</div><div>At least he wouldn't quit. </div><div><br />So far behind the others now</div><div>The most he'd ever been,</div><div>Still he gave it all he had</div><div>And ran as though to win. </div><div><br />Three times he'd fallen stumbling</div><div>Three times he rose again,</div><div>Too far behind to hope to win</div><div>He still ran to the end. </div><div><br />They cheered the winning runner</div><div>As he crossed the line 1st place,</div><div>Head high, and proud and happy</div><div>No falling, no disgrace. </div><div><br />But when the fallen youngster</div><div>Crossed the line last place,</div><div>The crowd gave him the greater cheer</div><div>For finishing the race. </div><div><br />And even though he came in last</div><div>With head bowed low, unproud,</div><div>You would have thought he'd won the race</div><div>To listen to the crowd. </div><div><br />And to his Dad he sadly said,</div><div>"I didn't do so well," </div><div>"To me you won!" His Father said</div><div>"You rose each time you fell." </div><div><br />And now when things seem dark and hard</div><div>And difficult to face,</div><div>The memory of that little boy</div><div>Helps me in my race. </div><div><br />For all of life is like that race</div><div>With ups and downs and all,</div><div>And all you have to do to win</div><div>Is rise each time you fall. </div><div><br />"Quit, Give up, You're beaten."</div><div>They still shout in my face,</div><div>But another voice within me says,</div><div>"Get up and win the race." </div><div><br />by Dee Groberg</div><div></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Medals and certificates were gratefully received. Oh, and ice cream!</span></div></div></div></div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-16567518694598589762009-10-17T23:28:00.006+03:002009-10-18T00:02:57.664+03:00Hot, Hot, Hot<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/StowdF8n3qI/AAAAAAAAAOo/AVizWgptOJM/s1600-h/Hala+Sultan+Tekke.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393676780100378274" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/StowdF8n3qI/AAAAAAAAAOo/AVizWgptOJM/s320/Hala+Sultan+Tekke.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Today we were going to walk around the Salt Lake, </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">which is completely dried up at the moment, but we wanted to crunch salt with our feet. However, it was</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">just too hot - I think we've slipped back into </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">summer - it was 31 Deg C in the shade at 9.30am as we set off. We investigated the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque, revelling in the experience of walking barefoot on carpet again - haven't felt that for a year now! By this time it was 10.45, and getting <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/StoqlhHmZ2I/AAAAAAAAAOY/qnniC-K9OMQ/s1600-h/McKenzy+Beach.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393670327763363682" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/StoqlhHmZ2I/AAAAAAAAAOY/qnniC-K9OMQ/s320/McKenzy+Beach.jpg" /></span></a>hotter, so the Salt Lake </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">walk was abandoned in favour of the beach.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">It was hot there too as there was little breeze - not like the day this </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">photo was taken! </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">After a couple of hours we just had to head off for </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ice cream. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">We've been in Cyprus for one year now, and it </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">definately wasn't this hot when we arrived this time last year. Weird. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-72482419498141458172009-10-02T21:51:00.010+03:002009-10-02T22:24:24.745+03:00Elvish Impressions<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SsZM4aJnHGI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/jqlmAqPwXSE/s1600-h/Elrond+of+Rivendell.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388078536171396194" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SsZM4aJnHGI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/jqlmAqPwXSE/s320/Elrond+of+Rivendell.JPG" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">I love the Lord of the Rings books (& the movies), there's just something about that whole fantasy thing of elves and wizards and doing what's right for the good of all! Ronan (11) loved the books too.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Imagine our surprise to find Elrond of Rivendell emerging from our shower one night! (giggle).</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Ears need a little trimming, but we're nearly there! <p></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div></div><div>"<span style="fontfamily: verdana"><em><span style="font-family:verdana;">The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth. Put aside the ranger. Become who you were born to be." </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000099;">Elrond of Rivendell.</span> <p></span></em></span></p></div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em></div><div></div><div></div><div><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></em></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Our version: "<em>The person who can control their thoughts </em></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><em>and direct their attention to what they truly want - for the good of all - can summon all the good in the world to them. Put aside the fearful act of compliance. Follow your heart and become who </em></span><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">you were born to be."</span></em> <span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><em><span style="color:#000099;">The Barefoot Clan</span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>:-D</strong></span></em></span></div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-36005920577529521382009-09-09T22:51:00.002+03:002009-09-09T23:00:32.198+03:00Cara's 9th Birthday<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SqgHzNOPaYI/AAAAAAAAAOI/eW6BrJcgSbk/s1600-h/CIMG1289.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379558331198171522" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SqgHzNOPaYI/AAAAAAAAAOI/eW6BrJcgSbk/s320/CIMG1289.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;">8th September & my little girl turns 9. Suddenly that seems awfully grown up. Her plan for the day was to spend time as a family with a special menu for lunch (leek & potato soup - in this heat!).</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">She received lots of crafty gifts so the afternoon was spent needle felting (quote: "oh, I've missed this so much"), coloring in and celebrating having lots of new creative stuff! Oh, and watching Mamma Mia on DVD. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">We went out to a restaurant on the beach in the evening which was pleasant, then finished it off with a walk on the beach in the dark. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">A simple enough day. Just spend time. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-49906654643559425902009-08-31T22:23:00.004+03:002009-08-31T22:51:10.239+03:00Barefoot in the mountains<span style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SpwkTD5xf6I/AAAAAAAAANo/vWW5fVdSgfM/s1600-h/Kaledonia+Falls+(5).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376211965057269666" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SpwkTD5xf6I/AAAAAAAAANo/vWW5fVdSgfM/s320/Kaledonia+Falls+(5).JPG" border="0" /></a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Well, the August sun in Cyprus finally</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">got to us and we took off to the mountains to cool off! We took shoes, but of course, within a short space of time, the clan cubs were barefoot again. Sam (6) recommends this approach to hiking because "you can feel the vibrations of the earth" . He's been talking a lot about vibrations recently - vibrations off ants, vibrations off my bed - that's why he's always in it apparently! </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">We went to the top of Mt Olympus and soaked in the wonderful smells of warm pine forest. I couldn't get enough of it into my lungs! It was so peaceful up there. Well, apart from the pack of wolves that ran wild among the trees, howling and yipping to each other before asking the alpha male if there was any chance of ice cream. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SpwkT3jFUTI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Avs851O-Azk/s1600-h/Kaledonia+Falls+(10).JPG"></a></span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SpwkT3jFUTI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Avs851O-Azk/s1600-h/Kaledonia+Falls+(10).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376211978920743218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SpwkT3jFUTI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Avs851O-Azk/s320/Kaledonia+Falls+(10).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Then we walked the Kaledonia Falls trail, <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SpwkT3jFUTI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Avs851O-Azk/s1600-h/Kaledonia+Falls+(10).JPG"></a>delighting in COLD water which we haven't felt for months now! Sean & Ronan stripped off and got in the freezing waterfall. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">All agreed: A Grand Day Out. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SpwkTlV1UpI/AAAAAAAAANw/rQOI68JUwuA/s1600-h/Mt.Olympus+Aug+09.JPG"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SpwkTlV1UpI/AAAAAAAAANw/rQOI68JUwuA/s1600-h/Mt.Olympus+Aug+09.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376211974033330834" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SpwkTlV1UpI/AAAAAAAAANw/rQOI68JUwuA/s320/Mt.Olympus+Aug+09.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SpwkTlV1UpI/AAAAAAAAANw/rQOI68JUwuA/s1600-h/Mt.Olympus+Aug+09.JPG"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SpwkT3jFUTI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Avs851O-Azk/s1600-h/Kaledonia+Falls+(10).JPG"></a></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SpwnWvy_ghI/AAAAAAAAAOA/ylkDFPTYzC4/s1600-h/Kaledonia+Falls+(13).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376215326914478610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SpwnWvy_ghI/AAAAAAAAAOA/ylkDFPTYzC4/s320/Kaledonia+Falls+(13).JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SpwkTlV1UpI/AAAAAAAAANw/rQOI68JUwuA/s1600-h/Mt.Olympus+Aug+09.JPG"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SpwkTlV1UpI/AAAAAAAAANw/rQOI68JUwuA/s1600-h/Mt.Olympus+Aug+09.JPG"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SpwkTlV1UpI/AAAAAAAAANw/rQOI68JUwuA/s1600-h/Mt.Olympus+Aug+09.JPG"></a></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SpwnWvy_ghI/AAAAAAAAAOA/ylkDFPTYzC4/s1600-h/Kaledonia+Falls+(13).JPG"></a> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SpwkT3jFUTI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Avs851O-Azk/s1600-h/Kaledonia+Falls+(10).JPG"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SpwnWvy_ghI/AAAAAAAAAOA/ylkDFPTYzC4/s1600-h/Kaledonia+Falls+(13).JPG"></a> </div></div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-32027389631613113462009-08-08T21:26:00.013+03:002009-08-10T10:57:23.855+03:00Adventuring at Cape Greko<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Sn3IQD8WbxI/AAAAAAAAANQ/iIX34LtuXdg/s1600-h/CIMG0995.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367666509157396242" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Sn3IQD8WbxI/AAAAAAAAANQ/iIX34LtuXdg/s320/CIMG0995.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">We wanted to make a new outdoor video for the business at Cape Greko, and we needed to get there early before the wind got so strong that Sean can't be heard over the buffeting on the microphone! So 5.30am saw us all in the car, heading off in the dark to Greko. We arrived 6.15, sun was just up, and we got videoing. <p></span></p></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Then it was playtime! Cara (8) decided that today she would do 'The Jump' from the cliff top into the sea below. It's about 8m, with a BIG splosh at the bottom. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Sn3IQhkAQ4I/AAAAAAAAANg/Sb-7X6W710Y/s1600-h/CIMG1001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367666517108343682" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Sn3IQhkAQ4I/AAAAAAAAANg/Sb-7X6W710Y/s320/CIMG1001.JPG" border="0" /></a> <p><br />She took some time to talk herself into readiness, and caught me (camera operator) unawares and I didn't get the whole jump (see video below). Then we swam in the sea, looking at scores of fish. Ronan took a tumble on the rocks and scraped his hands and feet and we finished up with a bee sting on Cara's hand! It was time to go! We all agreed it was a grand day out. </span></p></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwcdbcJN3vxBeQwpAeKFFVaVKesG2X2dP1XVbtQusjUFudapdp0GQ6pzMltE-lnpCF-B64qwQqJ6zCI94AAFg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Sn3IQVLspyI/AAAAAAAAANY/xSXc63T1sVw/s1600-h/CIMG1016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367666513785169698" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Sn3IQVLspyI/AAAAAAAAANY/xSXc63T1sVw/s320/CIMG1016.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><div><br /><br /><br /></span></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div></div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-62640863086135609992009-08-02T20:46:00.006+03:002009-08-02T21:11:19.513+03:00Little Orange Pencil & Arthur and the Mouse.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SnXR3P9PZMI/AAAAAAAAANI/MiOf1GBeuxY/s1600-h/CIMG0991.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365425278188217538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SnXR3P9PZMI/AAAAAAAAANI/MiOf1GBeuxY/s320/CIMG0991.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">See that little orange pencil in the photo? I don't know how it's managed to survive and follow me around for so long, but it's actually an old school pencil of mine. I had a pack of 3 fluorescent pencils - a yellow, a pink and this orange one. The other two are long gone, but this little one has endured all these years! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The other day, it struck me as funny that Sam (6) is using this pencil to write his first book - Arthur and the Mouse. After all this time, the little orange pencil has a proper use! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><p>I went off in a daydream then, imagining my 14 year old self sitting at my desk in one of my classes, gazing out the window as was my habit, and being visited by a messenger from the future. This messenger pointed to the pencil and told me that in years to come, I would be living in Cyprus, married to The Passion Man, and my THIRD (home educated) child would be using the pencil to write his first novel, which he wants to get published. (Watch this space!) <p></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I wonder how I'd have reacted?</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div></div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-1681024953931166692009-07-26T17:47:00.005+03:002009-08-02T21:12:58.739+03:00The heat is on.... (please turn it off again)<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SmxuzvO428I/AAAAAAAAAM4/aXyHRNhZJBY/s1600-h/Dragonfly+Acrobatics+(5).JPG"></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Smxtui1YPdI/AAAAAAAAAMo/myxigP6B3R8/s1600-h/Flying+Kids+July+09+(4).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362781902683520466" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Smxtui1YPdI/AAAAAAAAAMo/myxigP6B3R8/s320/Flying+Kids+July+09+(4).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Phew... a heatwave has hit Cyprus from NW Africa - 37 deg C in the shade today. No work was done - it is definately a day for dipping in and out of the pool - all day spent in temperature management!!</span></div><br /><div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">A small watermelon snack for </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Sam.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Smxtub2JcfI/AAAAAAAAAMg/3mpZDRjVGHc/s1600-h/Sam+%26+Watermelon.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362781900807696882" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Smxtub2JcfI/AAAAAAAAAMg/3mpZDRjVGHc/s320/Sam+%26+Watermelon.JPG" border="0" /></a></span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Cara & I have been trying to </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">capture these acrobatic</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">dragonflies on camera.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Smxtub2JcfI/AAAAAAAAAMg/3mpZDRjVGHc/s1600-h/Sam+%26+Watermelon.JPG"></a></span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SmxtuyBoT4I/AAAAAAAAAMw/DSAfHiHFAGs/s1600-h/Dragonfly+Acrobatics.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362781906761437058" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SmxtuyBoT4I/AAAAAAAAAMw/DSAfHiHFAGs/s320/Dragonfly+Acrobatics.JPG" border="0" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/Smxtub2JcfI/AAAAAAAAAMg/3mpZDRjVGHc/s1600-h/Sam+%26+Watermelon.JPG"></a></span></div></div></div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-68770278642533243312009-07-18T21:42:00.004+03:002009-07-18T22:40:15.138+03:00Ronan's Birthday<span style="font-family:verdana;">Well, it finally happened - Ronan turned 11. And horror of horrors - he didn't get a letter from Hogwarts, confirming the awful truth that he is actually a Muggle!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Not to worry though, we still celebrated, because after all, as Hagrid says "It's not every day yer young man turns 11 now, is it?"</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SmIdEYp-1lI/AAAAAAAAAMY/aogkDActmM4/s1600-h/CIMG0863.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359878467699529298" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SmIdEYp-1lI/AAAAAAAAAMY/aogkDActmM4/s320/CIMG0863.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">He was up at sunrise (5.45am), and opened some parcels - books, books, and more books - so he was quite delighted! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">We had a chilled out day at home til 3.30pm, then headed off to the beach for a home ed gathering. There were 5 or 6 families there, and loads of kids, so a good time was had by all, playing in the sea, on the beach and sharing some cake. We all headed off home after sundown (8pm), and poured 2 tired and windswept children to bed (Cara & Sam), and said goodnight to the birthday boy as he disappeared behind a book. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Sean & I reflected a while on all that has happened since 15th July 1998 when Ronan popped into the world at our house at Rossie, Montrose....</span><br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The birth of a son and a business (Activate)</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The gentle arrival of Cara</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The sudden arrival of Sam</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Deciding to home educate (scary)</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Moving to Crail pig farm (yuk, yuk, yuk)</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Moving to Tayport (ahhh....)</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Moving to Dundee</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The death of a business (lots learned there)</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Exploring What Next - USA? New Zealand? </span></li><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Moving to Cyprus (making a sensible work decision)</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Radical direction change (following our hearts not heads)</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Conception of a new business </span></li><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Out of money - emergency measures in place.....</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">New business nearly ready for birth - at the pushing stage now!</span></li></ul><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Gosh - did that really take 11 years!! I guess some other stuff has happened in between too! </span>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-76218298060820021492009-06-29T21:54:00.004+03:002009-06-29T22:15:24.952+03:00Definately in Summer!<span style="font-family:verdana;">Sorry I haven't been updating the blog so much recently - so much to do!</span> <div><div><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Ronan & Cara have finished their theatre productions and enjoyed it immensely. Cara was Violet Beauregarde in 'Charlie & the Chocolate Factory', and Ronan was a semi-mean kid called Jed in 'School Journey to the Centre of the Earth'. You can see a little tiny bit of each show in this video <a href="http://theatreantidote.com/link.php?id=261">http://theatreantidote.com/link.php?id=261</a> which is actually a promotion for the summer school. There's some footage of oompa loompas in pink & brown (Cara became one of these after Violet gets taken off for juicing). Ronan's show is the fast moving one with the blue t-shirts and yellow chairs. I can't believe I didn't get any photos! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Cyprus is now definately in summer. Here's a selection of photos taken over the last couple of months. </span></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SkkQho-aoPI/AAAAAAAAAMA/-htJQ1ZNnhk/s1600-h/Purple+trees!.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352827802227482866" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SkkQho-aoPI/AAAAAAAAAMA/-htJQ1ZNnhk/s320/Purple+trees!.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SkkQiE10MvI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/ZlCUnafPebM/s1600-h/SANY0074.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352827809707602674" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SkkQiE10MvI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/ZlCUnafPebM/s320/SANY0074.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SkkQhfP12zI/AAAAAAAAAL4/YMFreTs7FAI/s1600-h/SANY0015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352827799616215858" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SkkQhfP12zI/AAAAAAAAAL4/YMFreTs7FAI/s320/SANY0015.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SkkQh8hc7oI/AAAAAAAAAMI/WQKalIBnMjo/s1600-h/SANY0020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352827807474708098" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SkkQh8hc7oI/AAAAAAAAAMI/WQKalIBnMjo/s320/SANY0020.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div> <br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div></div></div></div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116811104091539960.post-61854043839503262972009-05-06T20:27:00.007+03:002009-05-07T22:53:04.080+03:00From Green to Gold<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SgM8B9t6HMI/AAAAAAAAALQ/1u96shqcMw0/s1600-h/Fields+of+gold+(11).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333172388181449922" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SgM8B9t6HMI/AAAAAAAAALQ/1u96shqcMw0/s320/Fields+of+gold+(11).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">My last post was about how Cyprus had gone green, and now, only 3 weeks later,</div><br /><div>it's go<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SgHL9pgC_MI/AAAAAAAAAKo/WK7nObjihFg/s1600-h/Fields+of+Gold+(3).JPG"></a>ne golden! It's weird, a few weeks ago it felt so very spring like with the citrus blossom everywhere. And now, because of associations of home, it feels like it should be August - the smells of drying grass cut ready for baling, and golden hues everywhere, it's harvest time, and the map in my head says that summer is almost over! Of course, we ain't seen nothing yet as far as summer goes!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Here are some pictures I took tonight while I was out with my boys. </span></div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SgHOUj03I9I/AAAAAAAAALI/ODWJSb6RARM/s1600-h/Fields+of+Gold+(4).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332770286393041874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SgHOUj03I9I/AAAAAAAAALI/ODWJSb6RARM/s320/Fields+of+Gold+(4).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SgHM-wyqt_I/AAAAAAAAAK4/jIH36ZuZR20/s1600-h/Fields+of+Gold+(3).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332768812404750322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fLVhD4dZyLY/SgHM-wyqt_I/AAAAAAAAAK4/jIH36ZuZR20/s320/Fields+of+Gold+(3).JPG" border="0" /></a></span></div></div></div></div></div>Barefoot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14542047654324502509noreply@blogger.com0