Local knowledge, independent information and practical guidance for living, visiting and making the most of North Cyprus.
Secondary school teachers across Girne and the surrounding area are due to take part in strike action this afternoon, Monday 19th October, following growing complaints about the state of education in North Cyprus. The action has been…
Anyone living or working in Gazimağusa would be well advised to make a few preparations for tomorrow, Tuesday 20th October, as a considerable part of the district is scheduled to be without electricity for approximately six hours. The…
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has responded to complaints from Turkish Cypriot President Tufan Erhürman concerning attempts to prevent Turkish Cypriots from participating in international sporting, cultural and diplom…
Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman and Republic of Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides are scheduled to meet tomorrow, Tuesday 20th October, despite another public disagreement about how negotiations to resolve the Cyprus problem s…
Today we said a tearful goodbye to Mikey, one of our large family of cats. Mikey suddenly became ill, his kidneys failed him and the vet told us to make him comfortable, as he probably had only a couple of days left. She was right. If anything, we left him a day too long. He was suffering, but he passed with such dignity. We've been through this many times before, and it doesn't get any easier.
Over the years, we've fed and cared for a great many cats and ten dogs. Some, like Mikey, were with us from the cradle to the grave. Others lived with us for most of their lives. Sadly, some made only a fleeting visit.
Some arrived in a dreadful condition, but with a little care, patience and sometimes considerable veterinary expense, they went on to lead perfectly happy lives. Others weren't so lucky.
We've taken in the abandoned and neglected, the sick and injured, and those who were simply trying to fend for themselves. Some turned up at our door looking as though they hadn't had a decent meal for weeks. We found others, newly born, in a corner of the garden.
We've taken cats from people who were returning to the UK. We even received a cat in a sack from a meal delivery man on a motorbike. Dolly is still with us.
Thankfully, there are a great many people who can tell similar stories. Thank you to every single one of you.
We kept saying, “Oh go on, it's only one more mouth to feed,” until we were feeding 60 cats twice a day.
Needless to say, we become attached to each and every one of them.
It's surprising how quickly some of them settle into a new life. A frightened, half-starved cat that initially runs away whenever you approach can, a few months later, become the most demanding member of the household. Suddenly, it has a favourite chair, expects its dinner at a particular time and makes its displeasure perfectly clear if you happen to be five minutes late.
Their habits become part of your own daily routine. You know where they will be at certain times of the day, what food they particularly like, where they prefer to sleep and how they behave when they want something.
I can still remember Mikey and his sister, Minnie, playing together as kittens. We took photographs of them on our bed, and we still have those pictures. Remembering those days made what we had to do so much more difficult.
Knowing When the Time Has Come
Modern veterinary medicine can achieve remarkable things. Illnesses that would once have been untreatable can sometimes be managed successfully, allowing pets to continue enjoying a good quality of life despite ongoing medical conditions.
We hear it all the time now : "North Cyprus is too expensive - Pensioners can't afford to live here anymore - The cost of living has gone through the roof " but before we ask the last one out to switch the lights off, let's have a look at the actual situation.
Anyone receiving a pension in Pounds and spending in Turkish Lira has had a rough time recently. Over the last 12 months, the purchasing power of a Sterling pension in North Cyprus has fallen by roughly 14.5% in our comparison.
But here is the bit that tends to get forgotten. The exchange rate is only one part of the story. What actually matters is how much money you need every month to live. When I compared the approximate monthly costs for a retired couple, including accommodation, the figures looked something like this:
Is "Winterising" even a word ? Well, apparently it is, and we've already made a start ! Yesterday's shopping trip threw up two lovely warm throws and two pairs of ridiculously comfortable slippers, one pair for Gwyn and another for me. By the way, the label on mine is "Master". Made out of enough warm, fluffy material to insulate a small bungalow.
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