The house designed by Keith, and based on a typical Cypriot stone home, also lends a strong resemblance to a Middle Eastern dwelling of Arabic architecture.

Although providing a rustic essence, portraying an aged and authentically renovated stone property, this house is thoroughly new and attention to detail has not been neglected.

Entering into the enclosed courtyard, we are provided a warm welcome from Sherry and Brandy, the Thompson- Smiths Cyprus Poodles, re- homed from Paphiakos Animal Welfare Society, and one of the Paphos based animal rescue establishments. An equally extended welcome from Susan and Keith sees us being given a guided tour throughout their home. Immaculate to detail, everything is superbly finished and the eye cannot fail to accept this house is lovingly nurtured, and has been built to specified rendering, down to the wooden windows and cupboards.

The kitchen has been cleverly placed so as to be adjacent for convenience to both the inner and outer dining and lounge areas, with access to the outside private courtyard. The courtyard, superbly furnished in Cypriot style detail, copies the house interior, in every comfort. The good sized swimming pool, Jacuzzi hot tub, and deeply cushioned seating, invite luxury without exaggerated splendour. The skies blueness and suns warmth is never left behind when entering this home.

We settle in a pleasant corner, sinking into softness of cushions resembling an Arabic Majalis.

Susan and Keith, who have now both touched their sixtieth year, started their affection for Cyprus in the 1990s. They enjoyed their Honeymoon here in 1994. They then continued holidaying in Cyprus and finely succumbed to purchasing a holiday home, undertaken by Aristo builders, to which praise was delivered for their speedy and competent completion. This was in 1998.

Questioning each other as to why they continued to sally back and forth every six weeks, the decision was made to buy some land and commission Lithos, a local builder specialising in stone built houses, to build the house of their dreams. This project was thought by Susan and Keith to be superbly finished and completed to their personal satisfaction. Lithos acknowledged this house, the first to be built in this style, as the ‘jewel in their crown.’ Keith appreciates this level of praise thanks to his career as a building surveyor and owning a building and estate agency business, before taking early retirement.

The couple moved here permanently in 2002 and settled, leaving their families of four children and three grandchildren behind, but with safe knowledge that family visits would speedily ensue.

Susan from Burnley Lancashire, and Keith, a London boy from Blackheath, settled well into the Cypriot Island´s ways. Keith had not extended travel to his experiences of life, but Susan, in her first marriage, had lived in Saudi Arabia for just over two years and from there visited Cyprus for holidays. She also resided in Iran for three years until the overthrow of the Shah forced many working there to repatriate. Susan trained as a hairdresser and owned her own business prior to retiring to reside in Cyprus.

From the first, they found that living in Cyprus gave them a feeling of being able to ‘chill out,’ and enjoyed the extra leisure time. Susan paints exquisite water colours, and the walls of the house are adorned with her work, adding a discreet finish and complimenting the tasteful décor. She also works with decoupage, decorating beautifully trays and trinket boxes, which she gives as gifts and sells at craft fairs. Visits to the gym was tried out for a time, but dispensed with for the more artistic and leisurely pleasures.

Keith lent his managerial expertise to the recently created Peyia Community Association, which is a non political organisation of Cypriot and European nationals, formed primarily to help expatriates to integrate into Cypriot life. The Association highlighted the fact that when Cyprus joined the EU, resident expatriates were therefore entitled to vote in local elections, and was instrumental in getting the government to hasten the introduction of bilingual voting rights, in time for the local elections held nationwide.

The couple have made friends, but few close ones as held in the UK. They, however, have never felt the need to join and frequent expatriate clubs as do many British exiles here, therefore the friendship or acquaintance circle is diminished, but not regretted. Keith admits he misses the real English pub, where he can visit and become a local, readily chatting to the bar personnel and regulars. It is, he feels, all part of belonging to a stable and formed community. People do tend here, as in all foreign parts, to come and then depart for pastures new. He however recognises that a great many stay here forever, and understands why.

´I have no wish to die here,´ admits Keith. ´Home is where the heart lies really.´ With this admission, still at an age where they can enjoy a new venture, they have both firmly decided to return to England. They have property there, but will look elsewhere, probably in Sussex in the south east, in which to purchase and live. He continued, ´I am convinced there is still more to our life in the future for us, and so we are looking forward to a new challenge.´ Keith states firmly that there is no doubt in either of their minds; they are doing the right thing.

Susan and Keith are adamant that they have no regrets in having made the decision to come and live here, and would recommend the move to Cyprus for anyone who feels they are interested in doing the same. They would never endeavour to try to put someone else off from the pleasant experience they have enjoyed for five years.

They have found the Cypriot people very friendly and have been happy to be included in their company. Both tried to conquer the Greek language, becoming discouraged by the fact that most Cypriots speak English and the chance to practice can prove difficult, certainly around the Paphos area.

Although there are many varied cultural events in Cyprus, they are both looking forward to visits to cinemas and theatres in the West End. They relish the ease of being able to make regular short trips to European countries such as France.
The couple are pleased they chose Cyprus to become their home, and neither has wished they had looked first at other countries in which to settle. They further feel that five years permanent living in Cyprus has perhaps distanced them from family, although this aspect is by no means the primary target for their repatriation. They do not expect to take up a life where they left off. They realise friends and family have their own lives, and are happy to take time to re-acquaint themselves gradually.

When the time comes, as it will, and the house they have loved and taken such pride in, is sold, they hope to leave as minimalists, departing for adventures new, with suitcases in their hands. They will be happy to leave the charming character furniture, which enhances the house. This secluded private dwelling is within easy walking distance to shops and ideally created for all age groups. Anyone with a feel for the old Cyprus would be delighted to own this house. The character age concept is there, but without the headaches that an ancient property can cause.

Brandy and Sherry are micro chipped and each hold ‘Pet Passports,’ enabling them direct access into the UK.

It has been an interesting journey for the Thompson-Smiths, but now happy memories are gathered and have been stored. Many will be shared with old and new friends to come, and the delights of living in Cyprus will be held in a positive view.

One never knows, a holiday here might just be on an agenda, once they have found their new lifestyle and the honey spreads upon it there, as it most certainly did here in Cyprus.