It has been an exceptionally wet winter here in Cyprus this year from December up till the beginning of March we have had some extremely noisy thunderstorms and heavy rain which has filled the dams to overflowing; a novelty here where water shortages are the norm. It is always a subject under discussion in winter as to how full or not the dams are depending on rainfall, last year some dams barely reached 50% others much less than that by the end of the winter. Flooding has been a problem in some towns and villages and the fields around Paphos were water-logged ruining some crops. Looking from the shoreline at the sea, brown patches were visible where the run-off from the fields had flowed into the sea via watercourses giving the fish some extra nutrients.In some areas heavy hail has damaged delicate fruit trees.
The positive side to this is that now in early March we have the huge pleasure of seeing this beautiful island of ours covered in green where green is rarely seen. Where in summer the ground is parched and dusty and the hills and mountainsides looking like a barren moonscapes all is now verdant and lush.The trees have received a good soaking right down to their root tips giving them a good start into the run up to a scorching summer.
a field of wild anemones on the Akamas
Wild flowers are in profusion, wild anemones and rare orchids, birds and wild life can only thrive in such circumstances.The sheep and goats are certainly enjoying a feast and we in turn will benefit when we buy our locally produced halloumi and yoghurt.
Yesterday I took a short trip to one of my favourite spots near Droushia, the ruined monastery of Ayios Nikoxilitis. Here the grove of almond blossom is just about to burst into flower and a variety of broom is in its full yellow flowered glory lending a delicate scent to the air. The scene was sublimely peaceful.
I’m not sure who the chair is for~?
Androula's Kitchen - Cyprus on a Plate 