Bah Humbug - Just another day!!

[BOERBOEL]

A few days ago there was a post bemoaning the lack of sprouts here. Well I for one agree with the majority of posters, why shouldn't we want sprouts, parsnips etc. that is what christmas dinner is all about. I can't believe one poster said if you want such like, go to Ercan or just embrace the life we have and eat all the wonderful veg we have here. I don't know where he shops but I think the veg has been rubbish this year. Onions bad in the middle, tomatoes that should have been thrown before they reached the shelves, brocolli that is yellow before you buy it's been awful.

Just because we want the usual accompaniments why are we classed as whingers who should leave, we are not saying we want it to be little britain. I am sure I am not the only one with this thought, there must be plenty of other nationalities here who want what is the norm for them. Just look at the high streets in the UK and you will see shops for Turks, Greeks, Poles and every other nationality catered for. Does it mean they don't embrace the lives they have, no of course not, they just want a little bit of 'home' and what's wrong with that.

So bah humbug to all who disagree, for me, without our traditions, then it's JUST ANOTHER DAY!!

Rant over - Hope all Kibkomers enjoyed their Christmas dinner (I did manage to get sprouts ) and a Happy New Year to one and all.

Boerboel

[geroff]

Yes, the veg has been very poor this year, but no wonder when you see how its handled in NC , the shops just literally throw the veg on to display shelves, bruise it, and then you see so much wastage!
As for wanting the same as other countries, of course you can want, but you might just have to go South for imports of sprouts etc .

[Dkayasal]

Got some lovely fresh sprouts in Şah Supermarket. Loose not prepacked.

[Heaven]

I bought my sprouts from illelli, prepared them then froze them. Perfectly fresh for christmas day. Yes Brits can be bah humbugs here. Did Brits have sunshine christmas day...no. Do brits have welcoming invites from their host country neighbours ... no. Stop moaning ex pats enjoy the culture, hospitality and sunshine you moved here for. If not .......

[Heaven]

Forgot to say, also had fresh parsnips from there and they were great too. NC go out of their way to do all they can for ex pats so be grateful. Looking at news now ... so much flooding uk, people not had christmas ... so be grateful embrace this country and be grateful you could have a christmas dinner in the sun .... with or without SPROUTS!

[tomsteel]

Return to UK looks an attractive proposition. If you aren't happy here, the option is obvious. Vegetable quality a major issue - get real.

[Ragged Robin]

I wonder if they served parsnips and sprouts for dinner at the Inn in Bethlehem.

Just be glad to be living in a country (particularly in this part of the World) that allows freedom of religion and that you can afford an expensive meal.

I feel sorry for anyone whose life is so trivial missing a single vegetable can spoil any day, let alone Christmas.

I do agree, though, that the quality of fruit and veg has deteriorated in the supermarkets here: it is probably because some people are demanding imported stuff (which is spoiled by preservatives or kept too long), rather than enjoy fresh locally produced in the appropriate season.

[elizabeth]

A few days ago there was a post bemoaning the lack of sprouts here. Well I for one agree with the majority of posters, why shouldn't we want sprouts, parsnips etc. that is what christmas dinner is all about. I can't believe one poster said if you want such like, go to Ercan or just embrace the life we have and eat all the wonderful veg we have here. I don't know where he shops but I think the veg has been rubbish this year. Onions bad in the middle, tomatoes that should have been thrown before they reached the shelves, brocolli that is yellow before you buy it's been awful.

Just because we want the usual accompaniments why are we classed as whingers who should leave, we are not saying we want it to be little britain. I am sure I am not the only one with this thought, there must be plenty of other nationalities here who want what is the norm for them. Just look at the high streets in the UK and you will see shops for Turks, Greeks, Poles and every other nationality catered for. Does it mean they don't embrace the lives they have, no of course not, they just want a little bit of 'home' and what's wrong with that.

So bah humbug to all who disagree, for me, without our traditions, then it's JUST ANOTHER DAY!!

Rant over - Hope all Kibkomers enjoyed their Christmas dinner (I did manage to get sprouts ) and a Happy New Year

to one and all.

Boerboel

We're spending Christmas in Australia and in the supermarkets the sprouts and parsnips were in great demand, it is part of the whole tradition thing for many people regardless of where you live, it's part of where you came from I suppose. It doesn't mean you think any less of where you've chosen to live.

[Jonnie]

I do not find anything wrong with the veg here. Sometimes limted but that is a seasonal thing, I buy broccoli and cauli when it is fresh and firm and eave it on the shelf when it is not. Aubergines are good all year round. Summertime there are limitations but it is also salad time. Love the overripe Acik tomatoes often as cheap as 30kr a kilo, roast them up with a few herbs and some garlic, onions and olive oils and pass through a sieve and you have a passata or sauce base which is excellent!

[sophie]

Who are these sanctimonious holier than thou people who appear to resent others preferring their tradition veg for just one meal a year and whose answer to everything is "well you know where Ercan airport is" You become terribly boring you know!.

I know of people in India who go out of their way to try and purchase our traditional veggies and mostly manage it. Also glad to see that people in the land of the BBQ still want their parsnips, Certainly my brother in Perth NSW does. Do you genuinely think that Spanish, French, other European inhabitants of the UK sit down to Turkey and Trimmings etc? No of course they don't, they visit supermarkets and other shops to seek out their own particular favourites, and probably find them. What is the difference, why shouldn't we seek out our own?

Don't worry those of you who don't agree with me, you can rest easy as we'll all be back eating our meze and shish very soon now. And whilst we are toasting the New Year in with our whisky and shampoo you can raise a glass a raki.

BTW, don't necessarily agree with Jonnie re those cheap tomatoes. I watched an elderly man in Ya Beles last week, he was picking them up, throwing them down and shouting to an assistant that they were cop (rubbish) - had to agree with him.

[Jonnie]

BTW, don't necessarily agree with Jonnie re those cheap tomatoes. I watched an elderly man in Ya Beles last week, he was picking them up, throwing them down and shouting to an assistant that they were cop (rubbish) - had to agree with him.

Rubbish for salads maybe but do what I do with them they are great, sweet and very ripe that is all, great for sauce bases, soup bases of even for a bloody Mary and better than anything you will get in a bottle, jar or carton, and what do you think goes into those anyway?

Far too much fruit and veg is thrown away because it is damaged, over ripe or misshapen. Have a look at Hugh F-W war on waste programme it is a shocker!

[BOERBOEL]

Thank goodness for Elizabeth and Sophie who actually read my post as it was meant to be, an EXPLANATION as to why some folks wanted sprouts it's traditional for a christmas dinner. For those who read it as a criticism of the TRNC please let me know where I did that, I didn't, apart from how awful the veg has been this year and most people agreed with that anyway. Also like Sophie I am sick of the same old rhetoric - 'you know where Ercan is just go back'. How many of you who say and think like that can say hand on heart they have never been to the South to shop because it is either cheaper, more variety and you can usually get what you want, probably not many.

I chose to live in the North over 8 years ago and in all that time I have been back to the UK twice - 10 days in total and never once have I shopped in the South, in fact have never been there either. I accepted the North for what it is and if I can't get what I want here then I do without. I don't have a little trip over the boarder because it's obviously cheaper than to get a plane at Ercan. So when all you sanctimonious little ****** tell me to go back if I don't like it, please don't, just take a look at how you live your lives here and keep those types of opinions to yourself.

Boerboel

[tomsteel]

Boerboel, why are you allowed your opinion to be expressed on this forum but those who maybe disagree with your views are confined to "keep those types of opinions to yourself"? If you whinge about your adopted country, expect flak - it is a fact of life.

[sophie]

Jonnie, I'm 100% with you about misshapen veg and over ripe fruit. I'm one of those who likes their bananas over ripe, mashed up with a little cinnamon and then spread on wholemeal toasted bread. Nectar!! Not keen on brown cauliflower though.

[BOERBOEL]

tomsteel - yet again you didn't read my post correctly. Where did I whinge about my adopted country. I DIDN'T, what I said was that I didn't expect to be told to go back to the UK when I voiced an explanation on my original post, nothing bad said about the TRNC (apart from the veg this year). No doubt you are one of the 'shop in the South' brigade as my opinion on that wasn't mentioned, perhaps it is you that should be going back to wherever you came from because if you do shop in the South then the North is not what you are completely happy with. If you don't shop in the South then I apologise for that remark but I am very doubtful that I am wrong.

Boerboel

[topten]

tomsteel - yet again you didn't read my post correctly. Where did I whinge about my adopted country. I DIDN'T, what I said was that I didn't expect to be told to go back to the UK when I voiced an explanation on my original post, nothing bad said about the TRNC (apart from the veg this year). No doubt you are one of the 'shop in the South' brigade as my opinion on that wasn't mentioned, perhaps it is you that should be going back to wherever you came from because if you do shop in the South then the North is not what you are completely happy with. If you don't shop in the South then I apologise for that remark but I am very doubtful that I am wrong.

Boerboel

Agree with all your sentiments entirely

[mikelapta]

Sophie,İ confess 'twas İ,but not holier than thou,İ assure !!Yes,İ am British and endured years of cooking sprouts for my family.(But as a schoolboy my Xmas holidays were harvesting them for Bird's Eye...after a frost only!!!).My children(4 of them)fed them secretly to my dog who was under the table,instead of eating them.....and my lovely dog farted smellily and loud for days !!!!
Hope you enjoyed yours without the same result..

[jacob]

Sophie,İ confess 'twas İ,but not holier than thou,İ assure !!Yes,İ am British and endured years of cooking sprouts for my family.(But as a schoolboy my Xmas holidays were harvesting them for Bird's Eye...after a frost only!!!).My children(4 of them)fed them secretly to my dog who was under the table,instead of eating them.....and my lovely dog farted smellily and loud for days !!!!
Hope you enjoyed yours without the same result..

You forgot to praise Allah for allowing you to live in his little island of heaven.

[mikelapta]

Jacob,every morning İ thank Allah AND God for being in this beautiful country !!!..and just for you,İ am in my 70's now,brought up in Baptist Wales,(my parents were in the Forces)sang as a choirboy including Easter at Canterbury Cathedral(where my voice broke in the middle of Handel's Messiah).
My many most precious moments were in the Blue Mosque in İstanbul,praying in a remote corner,and here in the Mosque in Lefkosa..........my religion ??? 'There is but one God'....

[tomsteel]

I do not shop in the RoC, enjoy the whims of the TRNC and respect the opinions of all who post here. I do maintain, however, stop whinging about the foibles of the TRNC or b off to where you came from. You are boring Bob's.

[Heaven]

Boerboel. I really think you asked for comments when you say it is just another day if you dont get your traditions. We are living in an un recognised country who struggle for imports and when we get them , if we get them, they are expensive. They do their best here and have over the years tried their best. Because they cannot always get what we want there is nothing wrong with travelling over the south if we really want our traditions as you say. The Cypriots here have gone out of their way to try to learn how to put on christmas lunches etc in order to try their best for the british. Sprouts and parsnips have been around for weeks. Just prepare them and freeze them, that goes to pious Sophie too. The majority of us are grateful for the efforts made. Illeli supermarket always do their best. Hope you and Sophie managed some joy and didnt think it was just another day. Personally we have had a magical time. Happy new year to everyone .

[jofra]

I was going to post that I am intrigued by the (apparently) almost universally-held opinion - not only on this forum but on others and in all forms of media and entertainment - that sprouts are an extremely unpleasant item (both to taste and sight and also after-effects) that nevertheless must, by tradition, be included in Christmas festivities...
However, as it seems to be a subject that raises great emotion, it may be better to refrain...
Additionally, were I to unfortunately disclose the fact that both I and my OH quite enjoy them (without any side effects) and normally partake of them at least once a week (with our Sunday dinner), this might indicate that despite our existence on this planet for well over half a century, we may be considered alien life forms.....
Oh dear; I have just posted this.....

[waddo]

"Sprout Wars - The Farce Awakens" - LOL

[sophie]

We love Sprouts and Marmite, not necessarily on the same plate though. Does that make us Aliens?. Couple of years ago we went to one of the Merit hotels for lunch and on the buffet table were cold sprouts tossed in garlic sauce and Mayo.

[jacob]

Jacob,every morning İ thank Allah AND God for being in this beautiful country !!!..and just for you,İ am in my 70's now,brought up in Baptist Wales,(my parents were in the Forces)sang as a choirboy including Easter at Canterbury Cathedral(where my voice broke in the middle of Handel's Messiah).
My many most precious moments were in the Blue Mosque in İstanbul,praying in a remote corner,and here in the Mosque in Lefkosa..........my religion ??? 'There is but one God'....

[geroff]

Season of good will!!!!!!... jeepers, whats wrong with any one wanting sprouts, talk about starting a flipping fight over such a little thing.....

Get smiling every one, Happy new year to all you sprout lovers ...

[fatouche]

I love sprouts, especially when they are shredded and stir fried in olive oil with indecent amounts of garlic and liberally spiced with freshly ground black pepper.

[Heaven]

Good news for all, illeli had fresh sprouts today and starling, plus the south side, already prepared. Saw a jamie Oliver programme yesterday on tv for sprouts fine slicing with butter, streaky bacon, sage,, slight water, and worcestershire sauce. Eat your heart out. Find this thread so irrelavant, Sorry dont mean to offend. Just feel so sorry for poor people in uk whose houses are flooded and have had terrible christmas and people are moaning here about sprouts not being available, when in actual fact they have been! Pray for the uk people .....
If you pray so many would be glad of your prayers. Makes the leaks in my porch when it rains so unimportant !

[fatouche]

Ya Beleş have had sprouts for weeks.....tiny and delicious!

[Ragged Robin]

I went to Cheshire Homes this afternoon for this Christmas/New Party. Although the Charity was started by a group of Brits and Turkish Cypriots to help disabled of alll communities, this was the second or third where I was the only expat to spare even half an hour to wish them a Happy New Year!

They are having a lean time of it and struggling to make ends meet. There was only orangeade and crisps and a couple of biscuits, but they put a lighted tree and decoration and brightly wrapped gifts for the regulars and everyone who could danced to the music and those who could not clapped and cheered and no moans about traditional food - for some it was their only chance to get out and meet people


Considering the different relgions and international embargos, we are spoiled for Christmas, with trees, decorations, holly , Turkey even Santas, and it is ungrateful and mean spririted to complain about a couple of veg. I hope the original post was a send up, Someone will complaining there is no snow next , or if there is that it is late and in the wrong place

Christmas is a Christian festival : eating , drinking and making merry and decking the halls with holly and mistleto are a pagan celebration of mid winter called "Yule". However if you want to be a Druid do try to draw the line at human sacrifice Christmas trees are a German tradition introduced by Prince Albert. If you wanta Victorian Christmas you should sit round it, and read Dickens.

My prizes this year for true Christmas spirit go to the volunteers and staff who spent time Cheshire Homes bringing a tiny speck of cheer to those worse off. The second goes to brave souls who spent their Chritmas morning braving the winter waves to raise money to help others - even if they did have a traditional British Breakfast to recover

Love from Scouge :

PS All the best for the New Year everyone.
:

[sophie]

Take your point Scouge and I'm sorry you feel disappointed that there were no other Brits in attendance. I have to admit as a supporter of both Sue Ryder and Cheshire Homes in the UK , I have been very slow in coming forward to the Girne Cheshire Homes and will try and make amends during 2016. Sadly in some respects they suffer because of being TC orientated, they would probably benefit if they had more Ex-pat input but then once again it would be mostly Brits working their socks off to raise funds from yet more Ex-pats which is usually the case. If some of the Mother of all Merc drivers and Jeeps would do more to help their own people, Cheshire Homes would benefit enormously. Anyway Christmas has come and gone and the Sprout debacle will now subside and we can all get back to our respective fund raising as we always do. Happy New Year.

[Ragged Robin]

I am going off topic, but I hope I will be forgiven for striking the iron while the topic is hot! I will start a new topic if enough people show an interest.

Sophie I was delighted by your post and I do hope you will make it a New Year Resolution to find out more about the local Cheshire Homes and perhaps join us.

The reason Cheshire Homes is Cypriot orientated is that although it started as a joint venture the British membership gradually fell of, and as far as I am aware there are now no longer any Brit members on the Committee , or even ordinary members of the Charity. Unfortunately disabled people are not always attractive and do not have the appeal or publicity value of children and dogs. Nonetheless they still DO a lot for the British Community - sometimes beyond the call of duty like visiting an injured member in hospital and taking gifts. I have reason to be grateful as their physiotherapist was responsible for diagnosing a condition which if left untreated would ultimately have meant I lost even more mobility than I already have. Many holiday makers who broke a limb have been glad of their loan of sticks, crutches, walking frames, wheelchairs etc.

The Cypriot community do a lot to help - in fact I gather their kitchen virtually runs on donated food - although I am not entirely sure that provides the diet that is needed by their worst cases who get day care three days a week including meals. They do however tend to get a glut at Bayram : I make a point of contributing my "Widows mite" at Christmas and Easter to encourage the by-communal spirit.

They do need help with fund raising, but also volunteers to help in various areas, particularly occupational therapy, but particularly the overworked Committee need moral support and encouragement from the community that were supposed to be their partners.

When I was on the committee I reestabished contact with "head office" (Cheshire Homes International) and even got an entry - and therefore a sort of recognition - for North Cyprus in their literature. The Turkish Cypriot Treasurer kept up the contact by visiting their HQ when staying in London with her daughter but since both she and I are no longer Committee members (in both cases because of age and health) I do not know if the contact has been maintained and a native English speaker is really needed here.


Neither CH International nor the Government financially support our Branch - which incidentally is the only one in the Near/Middle East - and we rely wholly on public support to help some of the neediest in our Society.

If Sophie, or indeed anyone, else would like to know more of the background and an introduction please do sent me a pm, and if anyone is interested in learning more about their work I will open a new thread.

[sophie]

RR, have pm you.