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Pauline Read on Cyclamen – early Spring in Cyprus
Gradually over the last few weeks the Cyclamen flowers have started to appear beneath the shade of trees, creating a beautiful pink carpet. These plants are native to the Mediterranean and the delicate flowers disappear as the season progresses and the hot sun shrivels the plant until all that is left are the tubers hidden beneath the soil.
The Cyclamen is the national flower of Israel and in some areas its popularity for decoration, medicine and culinary use has severely depleted native populations. The plant is renown all over the world for its delicate taste and the petals are often used to make tea. The tubers have been used for medicine and even used to make little flat cakes called Sowbread, reputed as being ‘a good amorous medicine causing the partaker to fall violently in love.’
In modern herbals Cyclamen is described as a ‘self-esteem builder essence’, which reputedly allows a person to build their self-esteem and confidence.
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Thanks Natalie,
There are times when we recollect favorite scenes in our lives that we come across. And your article brings one of these to mind. I think I am one of a very few, but I love to ride my mountain bike in the Kyrenia Range. One day riding in the spring I came to an opening and it was filled with Cyclamen. A beautiful site!!! The whole opening was full of Pink. Thank you for refreshing a memory!
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Whilst driving the coast road to the Karpas early March of last year, I was amazed at how many cyclamen were growing on the verges.
Isnt nature wonderful.
Thomas, I think your way of seeing them and enjoying the benefits
of cycling are the best way to enjoy nature.
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Hi Pauline,
I love driving the coastal road and remember doing it years ago when it was barely a road. My friends family had a restaurant back then and I would go down to the Karpas the night before and sleep over before rising early in the morning to meet the fisherman to buy fish and hopefully an Amberjack or two. Back then there was not electricity in the Karpas at night. And I would sit on the veranda and watch a million stars in the sky and listen to the quiet, sometimes sitting up till morning. Once we got the fish we would then race back to get the fish out of the heat. They would then put this Amberjack in the earthen oven with a little tomato and onion, oil and vinegar on a earthen plate. Fish to die for. I cannot find a restaurant that does this anymore. If you know of one let me know.
I love being able to ride in Cyprus in the mountains, both in the north and the south. I did get a few looks retrieving my bike at baggage in the airport and customs kind of smiled but most are missing what I think is really the “Best of Cyprus.” Eco tourism would be the best thing the North could ever do. The best times to ride are when it is cooler, when tourist are not around and the hotels are empty. But then again, do not tell anybody as I have the mountains to myself
Here I am riding to the west of Kantara. Famagusta is in the distance over my shoulder to the southeast.
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