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[RichardB]

Further on from LR posting re possible water shortages and GRs reply re the shortages in the early 80s, I remember also the shortages in the early 80s, I dont remember it being particular bad in Limassol, we were lucky also in that we could go up to the in laws in the mountains and bring back gallons back as they had their own borehole, which we still do in the summer months for our water dispenser.

Anyway I digress, I also remember around the the same time we were also only allowed to use our vehicle on certain days (vehicles with even number one day and odd number the next) although it was if I remember correctly relaxed on Sunday. I'm not sure if this was to do with fuel shortages or possible to do with pollution,

Maybe GR or anyone else who was here around that time will remember.

[Get Real!]

The odd/even number law was to supposedly limit traffic but it was pretty flawed because only families who owned two cars and with one (reg number) being odd while the other being even, were completely unaffected by it… while the rest had to suffer!

I think it only lasted for a couple of weeks though, but when this law came into effect I recall my; not so terribly educated, parents stepping out on the front verandah to check on the traffic so they could “assess” the situation.

Suddenly the old girl goes… “Oh look there’s a car coming!” and my old man goes “I can’t see that far… is it odd or even?” and she goes “It’s even!”.

And as the car passed them by my old man goes... “Seven is not even, you idiot!” and she goes… “You’re the idiot! There were two of them in the front!”

And I remember bursting out laughing at how pointless their arguments were! :LOL

May they both RIP.

[RichardB]

You're probably right GR. But I remember in those days driving from Limassol to Nicosia.... What a palaver... I would leave my house in limassol drive up omonia Avenue to the Makarios by pass and the after about 2 miles being on the Elimassol -Nicosia road which if I remember right was about 6metres wide....... If you got stuck by lorries it could take around 2.5 hours.. We stopped for a coffee at the half way house (near to chirokitia) for a break lol, nowadays coming into Nicosia as we approach Nicosia on the motor way I look to my left and can see see the old road. ( BTW I live in Strovolos now but In the early eighties it was a a seperate Village as opposed to being in Nicosia)

[Zenon33]

I may have been little in the '80s and early '90s, but for me they were the best years.
People were calmer and less stressed, life was simpler and easier. There were problems like there are today, but overall I can say I was happy. Cars and motorcycles also had their own personality and style, unlike today.
I'm not an enemy of progress, but I can say I enjoyed my childhood.

[Londonrake]

You're probably right GR. But I remember in those days driving from Limassol to Nicosia.... What a palaver... I would leave my house in limassol drive up omonia Avenue to the Makarios by pass and the after about 2 miles being on the Elimassol -Nicosia road which if I remember right was about 6metres wide....... If you got stuck by lorries it could take around 2.5 hours.. We stopped for a coffee at the half way house (near to chirokitia) for a break lol, nowadays coming into Nicosia as we approach Nicosia on the motor way I look to my left and can see see the old road. ( BTW I live in Strovolos now but In the early eighties it was a a seperate Village as opposed to being in Nicosia)

The first time I came to this island on a civilian flight was July 75. We flew by Tristar to Athens and then transferred to a 4 prop aircraft for the Cyprus leg. That landed at Larnaca. In those days the airport terminal was just a small collection of wooden huts. We drove to Limassol on a road which you can still use nowadays if you have the time and want a bit of nostalgia.

You referred to "the Makarios bypass". Friends I have who lived in Limassol back then still - like me - refer to it as "the bypass" because in those days that's exactly what it was. Seems ridiculous now, as there's another major circular route (we call it the middle road) before you end up on the highway - the nowadays bypass - quite a long way to the north.

Again, you can still take the old route we had to in order go to Paphos from Limassol. Directly passing Petra tou Romiou. Much more interesting than the motorway.

When I came back in early 96 to work at Episkopi they were just about to have an official opening of the new first leg of the Limassol - Paphos highway, which ended at Pissouri. It was Green Monday though and some impatient picknickers decided to take matters into their own hands and have an unofficial opening. Taking down the barriers and just using the road. Progress.

Nowadays we often park in Limassol next to the iconic water tower. Somebody told me it once held the water supply for the entire town.