Dexter Dog Diary, Post script & Notes
I get to see the Axes again before they return to the UK. After a morning of chores, Wiggie and Co. hop in the car and take me to the beach – not our beach, but another one called Lion-Head Bay. The wind is just about blowing the spots of my coat as we walk down the paved walk-way from the car park. A beautiful, curving, sandy beach swings round towards the eastward rocky out-crop that gives the bay its name. This is one of the island’s famous “turtle-beaches” and, in the season, the nests are marked with red-painted boulders. In the distance is the familiar figure of Y, arms flailing in welcome, and beyond her is old Brand X.
They are not alone: Tim and Helen; Elaine and Pete; Pam and Paul; Rick and Geoff; Alan (his Linda is back in the UK) and new friends: Alison and Mike; Gordon, Pat and Julie. That’s not all: there is a picnic and they spoil me rotten – especially Rick! As I greet my pals and they make a fuss of me, John and Linda are quite perplexed: I don’t think that they expected me to lead such an active social life while they were away. I pose for more photos: Elaine is doing her Queen of Sheba impersonation, reclining on a huge piece of driftwood; John and I, Mike, Rick, Geoff and X are acting the part of her courtiers.
As the party breaks up and we trudge up the path, I take a long look around at the island that is my new home and think: “If this is a dog’s life, I can cope!”
Author’s foot-notes
In Memoriam:
In June 2010 We learned that Dexter was down in the dumps: his feline friend, Sonny, had used up the last of his nine lives a few days ago. He was a character and that is how we shall remember him.
We returned to Bahçeli in December 2011 to look after Poppy, Dexter’s near neighbour. Although we had heard the news of his death, it came as a shock when we came across Dexter’s grave alongside that of Sonny. Tears were shed. It is high time to tell his story.
Me, Dexter and Politics:
In two visits to Corfu in the 1960’s and one to Southern Cyprus in 1996 together with many recent trips across the border, I have met many friendly Greeks and Greek Cypriots. Dexter would not dream of taking “sides”, so I have tried not to do so. I wish the whole island peace and happiness, as expressed in my song Esentepe – A Prayer for Cyprus. Sadly, this will inflame those who cannot accept Esentepe in place of the Greek name of Agios Amvrosios.
Apologies:
Throughout the book I have attempted to convey Dexter’s innermost thoughts, as dictated to me through his thought waves. Some of my kind Kuzey Kibris friends who are mentioned have checked for areas where Dexter might have offended them and, as far as I am aware, have found none. With the help of “The AA Essential Turkish Phrase Book” and A.C. Mowle’s “The New Turkish”, I have attempted to explain points with my miniscule knowledge of the rich Turkish language. There are many mistakes: you can bet that they are all mine and I apologise.