Monday 23 May: Oasis

It is very windy overnight and I am woken by the sound of our plastic chair being whipped away. In the morning the waves are more reminiscent of Cornwall than the Mediterranean. It is still clear so undeterred we decide to cycle back over to the other side of the peninsula seeking shelter from the strong westerly wind. On the way we look at the Greek Orthodox Church in Dipkarpaz which although locked up is still in active use by the small Greek Cypriot community here. When we reach the other side we are without luck as the wind seems everywhere and even worse the clouds are becoming dark and threatening. We decide to head back up the hill and we reach Dipkarpaz as the heavens open. We seek shelter near the mosque, under the building where they wash their feet before prayer. I feel rather uncomfortable near such hallowed and "male only" ground but Simon is brave enough to peer inside the mosque itself and take some photos. Luckily our visit does not coincide with one of the five daily calls to prayer. We get back to Oasis and find they have battened down the hatches and all the outside tables and chairs have been cleared. They think we are mad when we ask to have lunch outside but we enjoy some calamari and a beer wearing our fleeces. We then feel in need of a zizz and once rested we walk along the local beach and around the headland. It appears that two turtles have now nested: we see their tracks in the sand. They nest at night so we will try another visit later perhaps but I think it is unlikely that we will be lucky enough to see one.