Tuesday 3rd March 2026

The first full day of the tour, though only half the tour was here. But we would make the most of it.

Breakfast was another buffet affair, enjoyed after a shower and dressed in clean clothes. The hotel has a posse of resident cat, who do come to say hello and offer to dispose of any spare food.

Before setting off, we go to the back of the hotel, where on two low banks, two species of orchids could be found, and we tried to guess which species they might be. Two closely related species, whose forms slightly overlap and can also hyrbridise with each other too. This would be a repeating theme of the tour.

We leave at quarter to nine, with a short drive to where Jools and I had walked the day before. Though going up the hill via a different route.

In our bags we carried water, juice and a packed lunch, while hanging from my shoulder was the old trusty camera.

We spent an hour in a field, where we found many interesting orchid species, some the same but different to what we had seen the day before.

Across a drying up stream to another partly fallow field where we found more orchids, and some reptiles, including skink and gecko, of which we all got shots while our tpur eaders held the tiny animals.

and as time went on we climbed higher and higher. Until we came to a road, so followed that at an angle of something in excess of 35 degrees, past two new build villas, and son a leafy valley the other side.

It was now near midday, and warm enough to cause even the fittest to begin to sweat. Doubly so for me, and yest I coped, and as the week would go on, I got used to the temperatures, and struggled less as the daily stepcout climbed towards 10,000.

All the way down I thought to myself that we would have to climb the way back later, I regretted each step down, knowing there would be harder steps back up.

We found more orchids along a track leading to an an abandoned quarry, we chased butterflies, like the endemic Paphos Blue, and delighted in finding orchids everywhere we looked.

We stopped by a small chapel for lunch, and beyond were dozens of the rare Orchis punctulata, all along the sunny side of the track.

Overhead, the sky was blue, and temperatures peaked in the low twenties in the afternoon, until it was time to turn back, and retrace our steps along the valley, and then up the hill.

It took five minutes huffing to get up, but the view opened up to the view of the bay between the two headlands. Then along beside a field, where we arrived where Jools and I walked the day before, so I could show the group the orchids we had found.

Down, finally, through the building supply stores, and the helipad to the main road and back to the van. Leaving us with a two minute ride back to the hotel, where Jools was waiting with a fridge full of cold beers and ciders.

Happy days.

Monday 2nd March 2026

Occasionally, our lives interact with world events. This has been such an occasion.

Between us leaving home on Saturday and arriving a Gatwick, the US and Israel bombed Iran, including a girls school killing nearly 200. Our flight wasn’t affected, but later that evening, two drones attacked an RAF base on Cyprus causing flights to be cancelled, including half the people on the tour whose flight into Paphos was cancelled early on Monday morning.

We woke at seven, and lazed around before going down to breakfast. Where there were half the number in the restaurant enjoying the fayre on offer. We ate, then went back to pack, load the car and check out.

And having four hours to kill before we were due to all meet up at the airport. I texted a message to my friend, Roger, wishing him safe travels, but he responded that the flight had been cancelled, and the information desk didn’t open until eight.

I let the tour leader know, but he already knew. But the plan was to still meet at the airport at one, and see who turned up, and some others had travelled early like us.

We drove into Paphos, and on the long drive into the town, we passed a strip of apartments and places offering “British fry ups” and “traditional roast diners”, whole couples of a certain demographic struggled with the warm sunny weather: balding men with red faces and orange skinned wives tagging along.

We turned round and went to St George’s Point, where we found a car park and low grass-covered cliffs, dropping down to turquoise shallow sea. Others, like us, had come to take in the sight, walk and take selfies. Though we didn’t take selfies.

We decided to drive to the airport, Jools driving for the first time to get used to the car and roads.

We arrived safe and sound, parked up then walked insde the terminal to use the facilities and have a coffee while we waited.

We had just got our coffees and were sitting down when all hell broke loose. A woman went round running and screaming in Greek: we had to evacuate the building.

We did.

Then when all outside, we had to move to the far side of the car park, as the police and army arrived.

The tour leader said he was parked nearby, s we went to meet Richard, and then move the tour van, and Jools drove our car out. Jools left the airport, but we had two people to pick up in the chaos, in the end we were allowed to go in, find the couple, then turn round and head for the hills.

Two drones had been spotted within the airport airspace, and coming after other drone attacks by Iran, the airport was closed for the rest of the day.

We would meet Jools at the hotel. But we would go and so some light orchiding near to the hotel. So as Richard drove, the rest of us got to know each other and shared stories, while stunned that actions by the Orange President could affect our lives.

We went to a filed near to the hotel, down a long and dusty lane. Got out and went to explore the rocky outcrop that the plough had managed to miss.

Over two hours we found a dozen orchid species, among the plants thriving in the poor soil among the rocks.

We all got back in the minibus, then drove the ten minutes to the hotel, about a mile beyond the one we vacated that morning. Jools had already arrived, checked in, so I grabbed my gear and walked to the apartment, not as spacious as before, but good enough where Jools had unpacked after carrying the luggage from the car.

At six we went to reception for a review of the day’s finds, and a cold beer to go with it. Then to the reception where there was a buffet meal on offer, so we ate, drank and talked, with the red wine flowing freely.

Outside the near full moon shone from a jet black sky, stars glistened all around. And we went to bed.

Sunday 1st March 2026

I woke at half five when the rooster next door informed the world that his cocked had been a doodled. So I woke, and lay in bed as dawn crept round the edge of unfamiliar curtains.

Birds still sang, but these were different birds, singing different songs. More like summer than spring, and yet it were chilly. So I used my phone to check online, find out the news, and to read about and watch Norwich’s victory yesterday.

Jools woke at half seven, so after exchanged greetings, we both went for showers, got dressed before trying to find the restaurant for breakfast.

It wasn’t where we picked up the key last night, but in a large greenhouse-like building nearby, so we wandered over. Poured a coffee, had some bran, and did some people watching.

On the next table there were four people and a guide, on a birdwatching tour I guess, judging by their cameras and lenses. They discussed the news before leaving to get into a mini bus.

We ate on.

From the bedroom window, I had noticed some rough ground, so I suggested after breakfast going for a short walk to explore and look for plants.

And so we did. Crossing near the small shrine, onto the rough ground admiring the banks of Cyclamen, as well as various peas, Groundsels, and some Henbit deadnettle.

We walked along the road, over a bridge, and I saw a roungh farm track leading up the hill.

We’ll go that way, I told Jools.

Because, on Rhodes, a lot of orchid species were found in olive groves, or former olive groves, so thought this looked a good idea.

We saw plenty of interest, and then, out of the corner of my eye, I spot an ophrys. Now, I’m sure you’re hoping for a better ID than that, but for now, that’s as good as I can do.

We both take shots.

Further up we find another ophrys, then another. I find a Tongue orchid, and then Jools spots something yellow. Orchis punctulata is one of Europe’s rarest orchids, and we find one just like that! It is one of the key species of the tour, the tour which starts tomorrow. And we find one.

Two.

Three.

And another ophrys.

And an Anacamptis, probably colina. Most had gone over, but one was still showing, although faded.

One species I did recognise was Ophrys mamosa, AKA the “Breasted” orchid. And then another species similar, but different.

We reach the top of the hill, but the track kept on going, so we looked in more areas of grass, and find more and more orchids. They were everywhere.

Bees buzzed, butterflies fluttered by, birds sang, and away behind us on both sides, the land fell away to the rugged coast with headlands in the distance, and sea a wonderful shade of deep blue.

Walking back down I see a Yellow Star of Bethlehem, just growing between the wheel tracks of a tractor long since passed. We took a fork down a steeper path and find more orchids, including more punctulata, one of a fairly large size.

We go further down, more ophrys seen, until we come to an abandoned store of bathroom fittings, benches and tiles. We walk through that, then past a helipad (!) and onto the road, turning towards the hotel.

On the other side, a way lead down, should we go down?

Yes.

We go down and find half a dozen Giant orchids, no really giant, but robust.

It was getting warm, so we walk back to the road, hugging the edge, we walk back to the junction and the hotel, avoided by cars flying by.

We thought we needed supplies, so drove to the village to the market. Jools went in and bought beer, cider, crisps, filled rolls, peanuts, Pringles, and Ritz crackers. Its three minutes to dive back, so once inside we crack open a cold can of beer/cider, then sit on the rooftop patio to drink and soak up more rays.

The car said it was 22 degrees, it didn’t feel that warm with the breeze, but nice enough.

Nice enough for Jools to try the hot tub, which wasn’t so hot after all.

We fritter away the afternoon as the sky clouded over, and the sinking sun caused the chairs outside to be covered in shadow. We went inside to try to keep warm.

I kept up with the football on the BBC website, so with the two hour time difference, when those games finished at four in the UK, it was six here. I had looked online, and the best place nearby to eat at a beach bar place.

Another three minute to drive into the village, parking beside the beach where the waves laped against the narrow sandy beach.

We go in and order grilled halumi with fig jam, also some garlic bread. Followed by king prawns in a white wine and garlic sauce. This also came with a platter of frites, which we also made disappear.

While we were eating, darkness fell, revealing the nearly full moon hanging high above us. We drove back to the hotel, for more of the same.

Saturday 28th February 2026

This will be important later. Back when we planned the trip, I told Jen that she needed to renew her passport due to rules meaning that, in general, passports were only valid from ten years from issue, and hers had ten years nine months, it might be a problem, I said.

I checked and it’s not a problem she said.

OK, I said.

So anyway. Saturday morning, we were up at six,, giving us just over two hours to get ready, load the car and drink coffee. This we did, easier without four demanding cats, obviously.

The car was loaded, stuff checked and rechecked. We left the house, locked the door. And we were on our way.

To Whitfield to pick up Jen and her case.

We squeezed that in, and Jen. So off we went on a jolly boy’s outing up the M20 to Gatwick.

No real issues, just a pleasant Saturday morning, cruising up past Ashford and Maidstone, then along the M26 westwards. And after joining the M25, along two junctions then south towards Brighton to Gatwick.

It all went so smoothly. We found the parking garage, the car was logged in, and from there it was just a five minute walk to departures, up to travelators to the departures hall, where before joining the queue to check our bags in, our passports and boarding passes were checked.

I went first and was OK.

Jools went next and was also OK.

Jen, however, caused frowns.

The ten years vadility on her passport expired in January, and there was no way was she getting on the flight with that passort.

Bugger.

And I had told her.

Months ago.

And she had time to get it updated, we would have helped to do the online application, but she said it was OK.

I had to go as I was meeting the tour, so checked my bag in. Jen was told she could go home, apply in person to the passport office on Monday or Tuesday and travel the next day. But she said no.

I took her to the railway station, told her to buy a ticket to Dover, and to booard a northbound train to St Pancras.

And she was gone trying not to show emotion.

So Jools checked her bag, and we went up to security. Just the two of us.

Once through, we found a place for breakfast, ordered coffees and a sandwich, which along with an ice cream and second coffee and spritzer, cost £69!

Eeek, indeed.

We had hand hour to kill, so went to the restrooms, once out the gate was called, so we walked the fifteen minutes to that, and waited some more.

There was the rush to board, but we had small bags so would have them at our feet, as Easyjet charges extra for everything. We were lucky to get air free.

We waited to get on, shuffling along to row 28, and squeezing into our seats. Easyjet is cheap, functional, but you have to pay for anything other than a seat. Cabin bag, check in bag, drink, food; all extra.

We bought sandwiches from Boots, and drink. So settled in and waited for take off.

Which was on time. Into the air we leapt, and south-eastwards we flew.

No in-flight entrainment. No interactive map. Drink and food extra.

We flew over the Alps.

Over Greece. The sun sank low, there was a golden dusk.

It got dark.

We flew over diamond lit islands in a sea of inky black.

I reviewed videos and photos from India. That took over an hour, but time dragged. After four hours, the plane began to drop, and preparations for landing were made.

Paphos is a small airport. We bounced down, the engines roared to slow us down, we lurched onto the taxiway, and to the pan.

We were one of the first off, so into the terminal to have our biometrics taken, passport checked, then to baggage reclain, where are we both visited the restroom, our bags arrived, so we could go through customs, and a short wait at the car hire place, got the keys for a Fiat thing.

Out into the night, where the guy in a hut gave us our keys. We loaded up, and Jools programmed her phone to the hotel: an hour away.

So off we went.

Put of the airport, down the motorway, the along main roads over and through hills, small sleepy towns and villages, following the instructions from the phone.

We came to the town where the hotel was, along the beach, but the sea was hidden in the blackest of nights, and out the other side, up a hill, and there it was.

We found a place to park, got out the cases and tried to find reception to check in. It was mostly in darkness, but after ten minutes of dead ends, we found the night porter, and he directed us after giving us the keys, to our apartment, on the first floor on one of six identical blocks.

It had two double bedrooms; a kitchenette-cum-living room; a bathroom, a terrace which had a spa bath. And above, the majesty of creation and a nearly full moon. We took off our shoes and stood on the cold marble, looking up.

What a day.

The restaurant was closed.

The bar was closed.

We were too pooped to find a late night market, so with a bottle of water ech to drink, we slumped into the sofa.

Norwich had won. Again. And so are pretty much safe. Beating Leicester 2-0 away. Despite 16 first team injuries.

Friday 27th February 2026

And so the day of much activity arrived.

It is Friday, so Jools was up and about, feeding the cats and getting ready for yoga, while I slept.

Until Mulder and Poppy were fighting under and on the bed, thus waking me up.

So, may as well get up.

The Springlike weather is gone, though still mild, but drizzle was already falling, and would get steadier through the morning.

Bins were put out, feeders topped up. And Jools was gone to do some downard facing cats. Or something.

The cats had no idea what was to come, so went to sleep in their various favourite places. I had a tea and breakfast, while sunrise happened outside, though the red sun was soon lost in thick clouds. Behind thick clouds.

Jools came home at twenty past eight, at the same time as Craig, Jon and the plumber.

They laid dust sheets, looked at what was to be done, and started ripping stuff out.

Banging, drilling, sanding continued. The cats, alarmed, ran outside, where the dreich greeted them. Came back in, went out, back in.

After a couple of hours, they got used to it, and so the youngest sheltered under the bed, Scully slept on the sofa, and Mulder wandered around demanding attention.

The flooring was glued down, and took some removing, but soon after lunchtime, the shower, sink, toilet, radiator, and all the tiles were out and in the back of the van, and then came the job of trying to make sense of the pipework.

That took a couple of hours, but by three all the prep work was done, and so with kids to collect from school, they left and silence returned to the house.

But for the cats, the worse was yet to come, as at half four the round up would begin, as they were going to the cattery. If we could catch all four of them, and put them in their boxes.

We had 90 calm minutes, and then the round up began.

Block off the cat flat. Close the doors to the kitchen, office, small bedroom. And at least with the bathroom now a bare room, there was no hiding place for Cleo and Poppy. Mulder and Scully were fed, then caged and the cages put in the car.

Cleo first, cornered in the bathroom, she was grabbed and caged. And finally, the same for Poppy. All in ten minutes.

We load the car, so Jools could take them to Whitfield, and I stay home to cook dinner of steak pie, steamed veggies, roast potatoes and gravy.

All done after I had crashed and burned out of the quiz, so we could sit down and eat, drink and be merry. As we are on holiday.

Thursday 26th February 2026

Thursday.

The week is flying past, and we have loads to do.

But first there is always the gym.

Truth be told, our hearts weren't in it, and we were late up, late feeding the cats and late finishing our coffees. But out of the house just before six, at the sports centre at ten past, then up to the gym finding both bikes, free, we got on and started to peddle. Me listening to podcasts, and Jools watching more of The Handmaiden's Tale.

Being a warm morning, we were soon glowing well, and it would have been easy to bail. We looked at each other a couple of times to see if either of us would, but we kept on going.

And once we were done, wiped the machines down, and we were walking back to the car, passing people just arriving, we are always smug to think we had ours in the bag.

We called into B&Q for some earplugs in case it was noisy at the hotel, then back home for a brew, fill the feeders and have a brew.

The day was cloudy, and the breeze had picked up, so that it felt colder than it was, certainly colder than the glorious spring day we had on Wednesday, when I saw my first two butterflies of the season: a Brimstone and a Peacock.

We dismantled the cube from the bathroom, then took the pieces to the tip. The bits only just fitted the car, and the shelves were just about resting on the rear screen, meaning acceleration had to be slow, as well as braking so it didn't fly through the windscreen.

That done it was back home, and the rest of the day was ours.

We had toasted hot cross buns for lunch, so I could cook breaded cod, dahl and sprouts cooked in guanciale fat for supper later.

Scully and I watched TV, She was very happy with that, softly snoring all afternoon, but happy when I got up that meant it might be dinner time.

No football on TV for the evening, so early to bed, all ready for the big day in the morning.

Work starts on the new bathroom, with Craig coming round to rip the old one out, so I went round to take shots of how it is. And when we come back, there'll be a new one in its place.

on A.I.

Over the last week or so, I have listened to a three part BBC series on AI, as well as us both attending a lecture last Friday on the subject.

Here are some thoughts:

The top seven companies in A.I: Google, Microsft and so on, have invested $20 trillion in the technoogy.On top of that, tere are 500 A.I. tech start ups valued at or than $1 billion each.

That is a lot of money.

The money either comes from internally in the "big seven", or in the 500, from venture capatalists.

Its still a lot of money.

The question, as far as I can see, is how is anyone going to make A.I. as it is at the moment, turn a proofit on the investment?

The big Large Langauage Models (LLMs), like Chat GBT does requests through it's website, free of charge, as far as I can see.

LLMs operate, generally, in two phases: learning and operational. And in the learning phase, scrape data to "learn". This comes from mostly the internet, where it scrapes copyrighted and uncopyrighted information. LLMs have said that if they had to pay the legally required costs for use of copyrighted material, their business model doesn't work, so have not paid, they just stole.

If obeying the law makes your business model fail, then you don't have a business model.

There are cirrently a number of class actions regarding copyright theft going through courts around the world, and it seems inevitable that the copyright holders will win, and that some sort of payment will have to be forthcoming.

Copyright costs are on top of the figures already mentioned above ($20 trillion and $500 billion). Huge sums that will have to be factored in in being able to turn a profit.

Not only that, using one of the A.I. tools for tasks, used about 400% more energy than non-AI, and data centres require power, land, and water to cool the banks of processors, in anticipation for the work it is expected AI to do. And that by the time the capacity currently being constructed is needed, it will probably be out of date.

A.I. has all the features of an economic bubble, promising huge returns on investments, and yet no clear explaination on how such returns will occur, or in what way it will make life better.

For the moment, A.I. seems to be stealing the work of creatives, and passing that theft to already rich companies, so they don't have to pay writes, painters, photographers and so on.

The question is either if or when the bubble will burst, and how big the impact will have on the "normal" economy. The real concern is when the start ups try to seel stock, then the contagion will be out and running. As it is, according to the Bank of England, approx 45% of the US Stock Market is on such tech stocks, and most of the growth of the Dow is done to the impossible values and returns on tech start ups.

I'm sure it'll all be fine, and there's nothing to worry about.

But if you use AI for anything, think of those whose work the tool has robbed, and how much poorer the world would be without them.