Flamingos late return to salt lake - Paula Manoli-Gray

The famous flamingos that grace Larnaca's salt lake between the months of November to March have finally appeared this year, later than usual due to the dry weather.

Despite the popular misconception that the flamingos stop over in Cyprus on their way to and from Africa, the flamingos actually come from Turkey where they breed in the summer months. As temperatures in Turkey become considerably colder at this time of year, they make their way to Cyprus. Their first choices of habitat on the island are Larnaca Salt Lake and Akrotiri Salt Lake, with the Oroklini Lake as a back-up. This year, the Akrotiri lake has been considerably wetter than Larnaca, and so the flamingos have been there until now, rather than absent from the island.

Research Coordinator for Birdlife Cyprus, Martin Hellicar, explains that there has to be a correct balance for the flamingos to come to Larnaca: "Flamingos have a good sense of when a lake reaches the right conditions for them and once they have identified that, can be there within a day.  The salinity of the lake waters has to be just right for the shrimps they feed on to thrive and that is dependant on there being an optimum amount of water in the lake."

During December 2013, Martin recorded just eight flamingos on Larnaca's salt lake, but wetter weather since is enticing them in larger numbers and their flocks can reach up to 10,000.

In the past, the Flamingos were victim to lead pellets from a nearby shooting range, and the presence of the airport still poses a threat, but Martin says that conditions are much better than they were two years ago: "The lake is an EU Natura 2000 site which means that under EU law, it is a priority to protect the species there. As such, there is a management plan in place that is doing okay. The flamingos are like a flagship species – if they are okay and doing well, then the plan is working."

Larnaca salt lake is the second largest salt lake in Cyprus after the Limassol salt lake and measures 2.2 square km. Its flamingos are a significant part of the town's identity, a major tourist attraction and its mascot.

First appeared in The Cyprus Weekly newspaper 04/01/14

Making friends with 2014 - Paula Manoli-Gray

Dear 2014, welcome! It's nice to see you, even if that means I am going to be another year older!

You are well aware that you have a very tough job ahead of you following after 2013. There is so much pressure and expectation for you to sweep on in and be better than your predecessor, like a new president taking on his term at a particularly tough or crucial time. I am sorry that you have this burden to bear, but nonetheless you hold our hopes and dreams in your hands in a way that probably no other year has done so, so please, treat us wisely and kindly.

What I cannot get my head around, is how in 2014, we have found ourselves in such a paradox of being classified as a 'first world, advanced, rich' nation, yet, we are struggling in a way that we should not be – it's crazy.

It's like a game of snakes and ladders. The hardworking people of Larnaca who have always paid their bills and taxes and tried to climb the ladders up towards bettering their lives are now finding nothing but snakes, sliding down further and further, and going backwards instead of forwards due to wage cuts and tax and bill hikes. The shocking fact that we are the first generation to be worse off than our parents is terrifying, especially for those of us who have children that need providing for. We don't (all) expect to be rolling in it, with lavish lifestyles and material wealth, but we do expect to be able to make ends meet in the knowledge that each year our circumstances will better themselves till we can retire in a comfortable way deserving of all the years, hours, blood, sweat and tears that we have put into our lives. The stark reality that the snakes will keep taking us down and that the rungs of the ladders are crumbling beneath our feet is one in the forefront of the minds of all us 'ordinary' citizens as you enter our lives, so please 2014, find a way to get us all back on track.

Don't let all this put you off, this is your opportunity to be the year that turned it all around for us – just like the president who comes in with a fresh perspective and succeeds in making real and tangible improvements during his term. Part of his motivation is to better the lives of the people he serves, but another part is ego - to go down in history books as the person who made the difference. You too can be 'that' year – the one that everyone looks back on with gratitude and positive memories as a defining point in our lives. I can't offer you advise on how to do it, but if you do, the glory is all yours!

I will check back in on you at the end of your term, and I hope that you prove to have been the 'president' that brought about better days… for me, for mine, for Larnaca, for Cyprus, for each and every one of us…

First appeared in The Cyprus Weekly newspaper 04/01/14

Winter Coleslaw

Ok, we've had our fun, we've overdosed on all those delicious Christmas goodies, it is a time of over indulgence after all, but I think now we need to tone it down a little. I really did enjoy all those rich Christmas lunches, followed by mince pies, trifles and fruitcake…..I can go on, but now my body is just screaming for lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. I just love all the winter vegetables available to us right now and have found a perfect recipe for them. It's mixed vegetable coleslaw, inspired by Jamie Oliver. This is not your average coleslaw though; this is something special, just packed with fresh crunchy vegetables and herbs. Yogurt is used instead of mayonnaise which gives it a much fresher taste and I now I actually prefer to use it in quite a few of my recipes. The beauty of this recipe is that you can experiment, adding any raw vegetables or soft herbs that you like. Having a big bowl of this in the fridge helps me behave myself, just a little..….I hope you like it!

 

Ingredients

2 large carrots

2 large beetroots

2 large radishes

Half of a kohlrabi (kouloumbra)

1 chicory

1 small fennel

Half of a small red cabbage

Half of small white cabbage

2 celery sticks

1 Onion

1 handful of mixed soft herbs, I used fennel, parsley and mint

Walnuts (optional)

250g of yogurt

¼ of a cup of olive oil

2 tbls Dijon mustard

Lemon from 1 large lemon

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

Grate carrots, beetroot radishes and kohlrabi. Slice the cabbages, celery and onion as finely as you can and mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Chop the herbs and add to the mixture. Add walnuts, if using, also sultanas complement this salad. Now in another bowl mix the yogurt with the olive oil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice and season with the salt and pepper. Pour dressing on to the vegetables and mix.

Androulla xx

 

 

 

 

 

Here's to a fresh start!

There can't be many people who aren't seduced and swept away at the promise of a new year and a 'new start'.

In reality, we know full well that there is no new start because the date changes, but it is a powerful thought that at the chime of the clock, you have another chance to turn it all around.

For many years, I would make the same, tired resolution to lose weight and be more successful, but I gave that up a while back when I decided to make smaller resolutions that would really make a difference to my happiness and those around me.

Last year, my mum complained that I would never hug her. I guess this was because as a mother of two young children, my hug quota was used up on them, coupled with the fact that I am always too darn worn out (from the kids) to remember to do these things. So, last year, my resolution was to give my mum a hug every time I see her (which is most days). At first I would forget, but she would soon remind me, and now, it comes naturally and automatically to give her a squeeze when we say goodbye.

This year, I resolve to play more with my children. I work from home so I am with them once they finish nursery at midday, but I am not always 'with' them in my head as I juggle the writing, being a mother and a housewife. Although I interact with them constantly and we are always out doing something fun, I need to also stop doing the things I think are so important at home (which in reality are not in the greater scheme of things), and give them unadulterated playing time more often - before they grow and decide they are too cool for me! I say this tentatively because it isn't realistic to be playing with them 24/7 and I am sure it won't always work out with the daily work and chores stacking up, but I really, really intend to do it.

When it comes to Larnaca, we all hope beyond hope that 2014 will be better. The words that I think sum up 2013 are 'desperation' and 'survival' and I would like to see these turn into 'regeneration' and 'positivity' in 2014. I want the sad, empty shops to be full of life again; I want to see smiles on faces and upbeat attitudes. When you ask someone 'how are you?', I want to hear that actually, they aren't too bad!

I think that society has got used to the idea that to be happy you have to have abundance – an abundance of the latest electronic gadgets, an abundance of food that you end up throwing away, an abundance of holidays and night outs. We need to adjust our expectations of what we actually need in abundance to health, love, fresh air and quality time...

…which is why I resolve to play with my children more!

First appeared in The Cyprus Weekly newspaper, Saturday 28/12/13

Pumpkin and Turkey Curry

First I would like to say that I hope you had a lovely Christmas and enjoyed all that lovely food put before you!! After all, it is a time of feasting and merriment!! I've been searching for recipes these days and of course the majority of them are about Christmas dinner leftovers. In the past the most we did with our leftover turkey is sandwiches and pickle, now, I have found so many delicious ideas that I feel like cooking a small turkey just to try some of these beautiful dishes!! I finally choose this one, first because it does sound delicious, but like they say, first we eat with our eyes, and this one just jumped at me just by looking at those beautiful rich colours!! I hope you enjoy this!!

Ingredients

450g Pumpkin, peeled, and cut into 2cm cubes
2 tbsp sunflower oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
Large chillies, deseeded and finely chopped and 1 deseeded and finely sliced, to garnish
11/2 tbls Thai fish sauce
1 tbls light soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
100g green beans, trimmed
350g cooked turkey, cut into long strips
Juice of one lime, plus lime wedges to serve
2 tbls Coriander, chopped

Method

Heat the oven to 200c, 180 fan, gas 6. Place the pumpkin in a roasting tin, add half the oil, coat well and roast for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a large casserole an soften the onion for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and chilli and cook for another minute. Now add the curry paste, increase the heat and fry for a further minute. Pour in coconut milk, stirring well, then add the stock, fish sauce, soy sauce, and sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes. 

Add the green beans, turkey and roasted pumpkin, cover and simmer for 10 minutes until the turkey is piping hot and the beans are tender. Add the lime juice and three-quarters of the coriander and stir well.
To serve, scatter with chilli and coriander. Serve with rice and lime wedges on the side.

Androulla xx