Having moved to Cyprus from England, eight years ago this September, one thing stands out as odd, the English language. So many words have the same spelling but a different meaning. Take the word mine, for example. Two sentences can be similar, but convey a very different meaning. It’s mine. It’s a mine. In the first sentence you are declaring something is yours and in the second sentence you’re declaring, loudly, that you’ve stepped on a mine!

The Big Bang

Which brings me neatly to the news that a de-mining team have arrived in Cyprus and are in talks with both the Republic and the breakaway Turkish north. First on the agenda, we are told, is where do we look for mines? Where do we look? Doesn’t anybody know where the mines are? It’s been over forty years since Turkey invaded Cyprus and declared the north as a separate state. And let’s face it, the fighting ensuing from the invasion didn’t go on too long. So why after all this time are we now seeing a de-mining team. Has someone stepped on one lately?
“Oh look, it’s a m….” BANG!

Well, I hope that’s not the case but I’m a little miffed I arrived here eight years ago and nobody said a thing about mines. “Oh, by the way, watch where you’re walking.” Not exactly a friendly greeting for an expat, but bloody useful if you happen to like rambling near the border.

Tom Kane (c) 2016

A Pat on his Back tells the story of our move from England to Cyprus.

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Andys Scribbles on WordPress: “…believe me everyone thought I was insane when I spat out my newly-bought smoothie onto the guy sitting near me in the bus because I was laughing so hard…”

4.0 out of 5 stars on Amazon
Similar Experiences
By Sylvia on 20 April 2016
“I enjoyed reading the book as I also have a house in Cyprus and have come across some of the same problems as Tom and his wife. Most of what he says I can relate to quite well. He has an entertaining way of describing life in Cyprus for a non Cypriot.”

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