Frank and Joan of Lapta

[DAVPAT]

Does anyone here remember Frank and Joan,they had own website,lived in Lapta I believe but relocated to France in 2010?

Their French website no longer exists,I hope they are both OK?...anyone?


I never met them,but they seemed to enjoy life to the full,someone out there must know of them!!



David

[Keithcaley]

I just gave Frank a call on Skype - both he and Joan are well.

He says that he's been a bit slow updating the French website, but that it should still be there.

They're busy packing at the moment, as they are coming back to Cyprus - most likely around the end of September.

It will be good to see them again, - Frank was a great source of help and information during my early days out here!

[Dawnie1]

Yep I have been reading their French website regularly & they are coming back to Cyprus in September hopefully. They have bought another house here. They miss the social life they built up here, or so they say on the website.

[sundance]

When Cyprus turkish airline when down the pan I was only 8 days away from flying out with them, and Franks wib site for information was a blessing, Many Thanks for that Frank if you should read this

Sundance

[deputydawg]

The web site has news as current as 18 Jul 12.

[Marions]

I remember the names, and I thought they were leaving Cyprus for good. What was their reason for going, can anyone remember? I heard through the grapevine they were coming back which is obviously now confirmed. I think it is always dangerous doing back, so I hope it works O.K. for them.

[jayceebee]

Reading Frank and Joan's "diary" helped me decide to get a place in N Cyprus.

[PoshinDevon]

Used to read the website when they lived in the TRNC and found some advice very useful even if it was just snippets from the local news. The ex pat social life is not really for us but then again we are not permanent residents and can understand that this could well be important.

I think I read that they left because they felt as they were getting older they may need to depend more on healthcare and felt somewhere closer to home was a choice they needed to make. Did read a little when they moved to France which did not appear to go smoothly. Good for them to make a big decision to return....I think I will again have to spend time catching up with there adventures on their website.

Wonder where they have bought..... Would think they would return to the Lapta area so they can hopefully pick up on the social life they appear to have missed.

[Dawnie1]

On their French website, it shows a picture of the new house & says its near Green Palace which is one of their favourite restaurants.

[DAVPAT]

Thanks all for your replys,glad to hear all is well with them both,and sorry that France didnt suit them,perhaps the island will be better off with their return!!

[Jonnie]

Perhaps we are not so badly off here after all then!

[kiplet]

As long as one does not burn their bridges is my advise.

[Marions]

Kiplet, you are so right, but some of us have already. circumstances created it! So come and join by BOB Society (Burnt our bridges!). But life always has new crossroads, so things happen or do't happen as part of one's path to life and as long as one does not fall off the edges of the path, then all is well!!!!!

[sophie]

Yes Marion, we should join the BOB's because that's what we did and it has rebounded on us badly, in other words we shot ourselves in the foot big time. At the time it seemed the right thing to do, but as age catches up on us, it wasn't, and unfortunately and it's too late now.

[frontalman]

They'll be our neighbours then!

[Marions]

Mustn't feel sorry for ourselves, Sophie. Let's keep doing the Lotto as a means of escape or to buy the best medical attention when (and if) the time comes. 'Imself downstairs struggles, but I am blessed with 'rude' health, but heaven forfend if both of us should be struggling. But on the grounds of 'never toruble trouble till trouble troubles you......don't worry, cos round the next corner could be something wonderful. You have to believe that. and I console myself that maybe we were meant to be here, trapped, for a reason. Maybe there is something i need to learn. Mustn't grumble!

[stellasstar1]

I like that BOB Society, can I join?

[flowerfairy]

Also, maybe ''the grass is always greener on the other side'', but do you have a lawnmower?,and there's always a water shortage.
Good luck to them both.
As for medical health, we've had our problems,which thankfully worked out well, for us. Lately, I've heard of many bad problems in Uk.
Just try and enjoy life, you really do not know how long it will last.

[sylv]

Over the years I have been 'trapped' in many places and situations where I did not want to be. But there is ALWAYS a way out, I know this for a fact.

I cannot think why Frank and Joan would want to return to what essentially is a gigantic rubbish tip, no sense of pride in their surroundings, to being 'ripped off' because we are expats, to non existent driving skills, where one takes ones life into ones hands everytime you take to the road, turning right at night is a death defying exercise, a government that is in chaos and makes up rules as it goes a long, is deeply in debt and will surely be taken over by Turkey in the not too distant future which could be an unknown quanity for ex pats. OK, if you want to sit by the pool every day, drink Efes in bars every night then this is the place to be. Fortuntately there are always alternatives which do not involve returning to the UK and this is the path we shall follow.

[kaiserphil]

Hi Sylv, I understand why they left for France in the first place, but I think one of their reasons for returning to the TRNC is that they miss their good friends and social life.
I can understand that. I felt the same way myself after I left, though most of my good friends have now also left. Nevertheless, while there are problems associated with living in Germany, I would never swap my life for returning to the TRNC.
Holidays yes, living no.

[PoshinDevon]

Sylv... A little harsh I would say.

Having lived and worked in Cyprus in a former life and also spent many holidays on the island I can safely say there has always been a rubbish problem both north and south since my first visit in 1970. Unfortunately it is a culture thing which seems to plague eastern Mediterranean countries. As for driving again not on par with more developed countries and will agree that extra care needs to be taken. Cannot comment on the government as we are not resident but you must agree that many European govts have seen there fair share of dodgy goings on - the UK is not exempt (MPs expenses?).

The TRNC has suffered from isolation and lack of investment in many areas, leaving many things as a cause for concern. We try to look beyond these things and I for one am pleased that they have tried since 1974 to improve there lot. The TRNC is an underdog in many situations and we like to support the underdog.

Things are not perfect by a long way but we love the place. People are in the main friendly, we have not felt ripped off, cost of living is reasonable, weather pretty good, lots of untouched and beautiful places. Etc etc.

Sorry you feel this way and hope you get your wish to find a way out.

There will be some who will agree with you no doubt but I am sure there will be plenty like us who love the place despite its shortcomings!

Best wishes to you for the future

[mrsgee]

Well said posh in Devon......a pragmatic point of view very well put........totally agree, no where is perfect, every thing is what you make it......love it here........but flippin hot at the mo........lol

[Marions]

We are DEFINITELY trapped at the moment with no options to move, but maybe this is a destiny move and we are meant to be trapped here. Ihav e no bad moments (as I can have anywhere in the world) but there is much here that is 'right' and resonates with my soul - people, places, events, hopes and dreams. so when I say 'trapped' maybe I should find another word. But it is absolutley true that if I wanted tomove at the moment I CANNOT. so sorry Syl, for me, and for many others that is a truth, but not necessarily an unhappy truth.
I have lived many places, some extremely beautiful, but I seem to get shoved around the world sometiems for reasons I cannot see, but with the gift of hindsight, I can. however, I cannot see ahead, and so maybe I will end my days underground here, or maybe somewhere else. But for now I am trapped, and often happily trapped.

[sylv]

Mmm, I thought my remarks might open up a can of worms! Of course nowhere is perfect, I have lived all over the UK and in New Zealand, I guess if I had to liken somewhere to perfect it would be the latter and a yearly visit is all I can manage now. This Island is so claustrophobic, drive from one end to the other and thats it!

All the things I referred to in my previous post I do not like. I am struggling to find something I actually do like! There are no concerts (except Bellapais a couple of times a year), theatres, art exhibitions, ballet, cinema, etc. all of which I miss. I have reached the age now where these things are important to me and therefore I cannot just sit back and accept 'my lot'.
However, I know many people here can live quite happily without these things, unfortunately just not me.

[PoshinDevon]

Sylv....fully understand what you are saying. Unfortunately a lot of what you miss is I am afraid a result of the years of isolation the TRNC has had to suffer. Being a non recognised state does mean that known bands, actors, art etc are either prevented or strongly not encouraged to come across.

I think the situation has improved over the last few years with a few artists coming over and also plenty of tribute bands but not much outside of this. Local culture, art, music etc I think is probably doing as well as it can but unlikely to get very much more than this for a while yet.

As for claustrophobic, cannot agree - options to cross to the south and explore are there and I can well remember in the 1980's and 1990's this was virtually impossible so things have really improved. Whilst I have no desire to spend all my time in the south there are plenty of places to explore which is one of the reasons that we keep coming back. Also the south does attract plenty of what you are looking for with many concerts, recognised bands and acts, plenty of art etc. Yes it does mean traveling but if its what you miss and crave for perphaps its worth it?

I think it really does come down to research and fully understanding what is important in life and from this make a decision on whether you can take a very big step and live in the TRNC. Its not for everyone, it has many failings but it is not my country and I really believe that whilst things move ever so slowly things are improving.

Good luck with trying to escape - really hope it works out for you and anyone else who has found that its not for them.

[sylv]

Thanks PoshinDevon, having actually lived in Devon for many years perhaps I should 'escape' back to there!

[paddywack]

As usual with forums, gone way off topic, Frank and Joan never get a mention, just posters with their own agendas

[billywiz]

do the moderators know if this post has had the most viewings to date, it seems to have a lot of viewings obviously these people were well liked.

[PoshinDevon]

Paddywak - the original posting mentioned Frank and Joan formerly of Lapta were returning to the TRNC after a period away. It was also discussed in subsequent posts of their reasons for leaving and also why they were returning.

It is only natural that the postings have developed into a good discussion as to why people want to leave and why some feel they want to stay. I think it's healthy to understand both sides of the story- it helps others who may be considering the lifestyle to think carefully before committing themselves. Some very valid points being made.

What we do know is that Frank and Joan are returning, they are known to a few but to many they are not. There is no way a thread all about Frank and Joan only would have lasted very long. We also know some people feel trapped and miss many things they used to really enjoy whereas others have embraced the lifestyle and are very happy.

Lots of good postings with rational discussion and opinions which is what a forum is all about.

Sylv - yes Devon is lovely if a little wet the last few months!

[Mozgor]

Mmm, I thought my remarks might open up a can of worms! Of course nowhere is perfect, I have lived all over the UK and in New Zealand, I guess if I had to liken somewhere to perfect it would be the latter and a yearly visit is all I can manage now. This Island is so claustrophobic, drive from one end to the other and thats it!

All the things I referred to in my previous post I do not like. I am struggling to find something I actually do like! There are no concerts (except Bellapais a couple of times a year), theatres, art exhibitions, ballet, cinema, etc. all of which I miss. I have reached the age now where these things are important to me and therefore I cannot just sit back and accept 'my lot'.
However, I know many people here can live quite happily without these things, unfortunately just not me.

Hi Sylv - I've heard many people who move around say that they find it difficult to settle anywhere and nowhere is home. You must have liked a lot about Cyprus to have made the decision to move there in the first instance? Perhaps you have just forgotten what it's like to live elsewhere? Trust me, I've lived in UK all my life and can't wait to leave in October and move over to Cyprus. There's so much wrong with over here too, it's all relative. However, if you are not happy then that must be horrible, I hope you eventually find peace somewhere.

Moyra

[sylv]

Moyra, coming here on holiday and actually living here and completely different. I would caution anyone coming here to live, to make absolutely sure this is what they want. Spend a few months here first, never buy always rent initially.

I certainly would not wish to return to the UK and have no intention of doing so. However, there are alternatives!

Moving here in the first place was not necessarily my choice so cannot have the blame for being here laid at my feet!!

[Lilyross]

how bad must France be if they are coming back here to live ??i have never heard of anyone moving back here after leaving !

[Soner]

I will be. Second time better prepared.

[Jonnie]

how bad must France be if they are coming back here to live ??i have never heard of anyone moving back here after leaving !

Not the first I know to move back and some friends of mine also recently sold and are now looking to rent, just so they can be mobile if they have a health scare.

I find it depends who you mix with as to their take, some glasses are half full, some are half empty and to some it does not matter as they think the contents have been poisoned!

[MoBry]

We have only lived here since February but we are thoroughly enjoying ourselves. We lived for many years in rural areas in Australia so got acclimatised to a slower, quieter way of living (although it was hard at first) and to entertaining ourselves, we seldom get bored. Would not go back to city living or fast paced life again. The slow lane suits us fine. The food is great if you are prepared to go with seasonal tucker, we've found local people friendly and helpful, and we are delighted we made the big switcheroo. Yes, there are challenges but you might as well accept they're going to happen and go with the flow, surf the difficulties and eventually you get to the other side. It can be maddening but at least it keeps you on your toes and exercises your brain. I hope Frank and Joan return to good friends and enjoy North Cyprus as much as we do.

[BADGER]

I remember them well.Nearly bought their Lapta property.
Think they are very brave having got their money out and now putting it back.

Hope it all goes well for them.It is a definate vote of confidence in the TRNC.

[barbarians]

Are they renting or buying?