Well June starts of with Naci and Elias, just before leaving for the airport to London for a family event. Its been almost 2 years since a visit to the big smoke due to covid, and although travel was possible, 10 days of self isolation, 6 pcr tests, and a week self isolation in Cyprus on my return, were the cost of travel.
London was ok, it was nice to see the family, catch up with a few people, and was especially nice to see my great nephew who is growing up fast. Quite out of love with London though, traffic was still bad, ages waiting everywhere, including the phone, lots of road changes, making daily life worse than ever. And the weather was pretty bad. There was also a sort of weird covid vibe, which I guess is to be expected. Managed to buy lots of little things I needed, including some new T-shirts, presents for people in Cyprus.
I've had an absolutely wonderful month in Cyprus in July, more of that later.
Naci and Elias before heading to London.
In London there were many family events, here pictured with my niece.
Off course I covered all the events, including a suprise registry on my last day.
I also managed to see Benjamin Louche at the third of his Absolute Elsewhere nights, this one dedicated to Tom Waits. Great night, and lovely to see Rose, Sean, Ruby, Warren, Charlottle, Al, Tom and Aste. Although there were quite a few people there, there was a definate covid quiet around the venue and later on the way home.
That's it for London. More of the nigh here
Back in Cyprus, I had a week in isolation (with a damn electronic wristband tracking movement) and then met up with the boys for a lovely evening under the stars drinking and catching up. On the first free Sunday Bihter and Metehan came to visit and we had a lovely day together and fitted in a short shoot. If you remember I met Bihter last month in Magusa. I had a great day shooting and hanging out with her and her friends. I was hoping to see her play live before London but it didn't happen. So it was nice to have her visit 2 days after coming out of self isolation.
We had mushrooms and eggs on the balcony, then listened to some music before doing a small shoot at the flat. Before they left I made them give their details to the bars downstairs, more on that later.
For the full shoot go here
That week I visited my Iranian friends I used to teach English to, they cooked a nice meal, and I went out to dinner with the boys to a new place called Eminem.
On the following Friday after a nice sunrise, I made my way to Magusa to visit family and then catch Bihter and Metehan play at the twin churches.
Managed to see Aysenur briefly too.
On the saturday my first cousin's wife had a shop opening in the old town of Girne. Nice event.
Following this there was a weeks holiday in Cyprus for Bayram. This ment a week of firends and beaches. Met up with Mina for some photos begining of the week, and we went to the see that week too though I left the camera behind. She usually works 6 days a week so it was nice to see her and hangout.
So when Bihter left her details with the bars downstairs, one of them booked her and Metehan to play during the holiday. So on Tuesday night they stayed at my house as they managed to get a gig for the following day nearby. They played a great gig at Queen's Lounge and Baragadi, everyone was very pleased with them and their set went of very smoothly. I got a little drunk on cocktails, snapped some photos and then hung out listening to music till the wee hours.
The next day we had a nice breakfast together then headed out on a tourist type day, we visited the Maronite beach, Akdeniz and the resevoir.
I think it is safe to say how great Bihter is, she is beautiful inside and out and such a nice presence, especially with Metehan around. It was so nice to have them stay, and we definately bonded and will be seeing each other soon.
Next up is some quiet beaches
This is what I call an adult beach, quite small numbers, grass to chill out on, a bar, a jetty and small beach. We only moved onto the next place because we were hungry.
The next beach was in Esentepe, and is government run, with some volley ball pitches at the back.
Yes that is Naci in the last shot.
So a very plesent month with good friends.
Find many more pictures here from the month.
Thanks for reading.