Paphos People

Invitation to members of Paphos People

Back by popular request is another 4X4 Scenic Drive to raise funds for Soldiers Sailors Airmen and Families Association Forces Help.

This spring we will be venturing into the Akamas Peninsular.
The event is open to anyone with an off-road 4X4. The route is designed to be non-damaging and will be suitable for all 4X4s, especially smaller Terrios and RAV 4 size vehicles. There will be some more challenging sections available for the more experienced driver in suitable vehicles.

The date will be Sunday 25th April and will start at 08.30 in Stroumbi and finish at a picnic site around 13.30. There will be toilets at the halfway halt and at the picnic site.
The cost to join in on this fully marshalled event will be a minimum donation of €10 per person.
Please remember that all money raised by SSAFA on the island, stays on the island to help fund local projects and casework.

For more information or to book your place, please email 4x4@ssafa-cyprus.org

Drew Elgeti
Publicity Officer
SSAFA Forces Help Branch Office
Episkopi Support Unit
BFPO 53
http://www.ssafa-cyprus.org

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We went last year - great fun I think we will will go.

Are Pete & Silvi going to chance that the new interior light will hold up?

Will Discobulus be putting his Polemi to Troodos rally driving skills to the test in his new CRV ?

Hi Dave,

We will be glad to have you along again.
We have a really good route with some spectacular views.
Make sure you bring a picnic and a bottle of something cold to wash it all down with at the end.
Don't forget to drop me an line when you have made a final decision.

Kindest regards
Drew.

I suspect that we will be going along but will take the official route and not any short cuts that you will undoubtably suggest as we don't have the same affinity to Limassol that you have.

Other participants be warned.

Pete

Not likely Pete, Drew will have arranged air-support and Land Rover cover.

I rather think we might have a go this year. Only got a CRV (better known as a Cyprus Retirement Vehicle.) but hopefully that should be OK.

Brian & Steph.

_________________
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want....

Pete,
We will have one of the best 4X4 mechanics on the island coming along on the day as well as several people who have worked around Land Rovers for many years. So we should be ok if anyone breaks down.

Brian,
The CRV is a very capable vehicle and will more than cope with the Scenic Route. Whether you want to tackle some of the more challenging sections will be up to you on the day.

Just drop me an email to book your place.
Drew

As long as he does interior lights on ancient Subaru's I am sure Pete will feel confident Is there a coal and water stop, so Pete can keep the steam pressure up ?

The trouble is Dave, that being a Land Rover nut, I think any 4x4 that doesn't have the green oval on the front is an inferior product.

Drew

Thanks for your reassurance, Drew, but I think we both know where Subaru's fit into the reliability stats and as our motor has been serviced by one of the best 4X4 mechanics on the island it better not bloody break down.

Best concentrate on Isuzu spares including a set of leaf springs for Bouncer Barrett. He may also need a masseur for his arms if the route is not a dead straight line.

Pete

What with all those extra gear levers you don't need and nowhere to put the pigs and logs out back - they leak like sieves and I even saw one being towed off the Akamas last year.

I guess I am not invited any more

Now now, Pete and Dave.

I don't want us all to fall out and then neither of you want to turn up. Remember it's for charity after all.

As an added service I can arrange it so you have no need to bicker.

I have for sale a 2002 Land Rover Defender TD5 soft top, and a 1997 Land Rover Discovery 300 TDI.
Who is going to be the first to move into the Premier League!

Won't work Drew. I had one of those Discos which is why I now have a Subaru!!!

Pete

Drew

I don't know about the Defender but my late brother had a Discovery.

While I won't say it was unreliable - one particular break down low loader used to follow him round when business was slack.

I will come anyway Drew and we always have a tow strap in the back of the twin cab

Mr P.D. a better use for the tow rope is attatch it to the front of that armoured truck of yours and somebody with a sense of direction can tow you round then you wont get lost because navigation isnt your best skill.

Discobulus

What I lose in navigation I more than make up for in demolition skill - Its an Isuzu -snatch If there are gates in the way of our trip - let me at em

Now have you sent Drew that Email booking a place - Drew even says he likes CRV's, mind you, he says he is a landrover nut, so can you rely on his judgement.

PD - are you sure you want to nickname your vehicle an Isuzu Snatch?

Pete

Well Pete contrary to what Discobulus says - its a little short on steel armour and it may be for sale next year Any other interpretation is in your mind Pete - have a cold shower before Sylvi comes home

"May be for sale" - have you finally come to your senses or are you going for something bigger to ensure every gate in Cyprus is in danger?

I can also assure you that the only one needing a cold shower in this household is Sylvi!!!

Exhausted Pete

Hi Dave,
I have received your email.
I will email you all the timing and location of the meeting nearer the time.
We are off to do a recce this weekend to check the timings and the route.

Drew

Hi, I just wanted to bump this up the list.
We have several PP signed up, but there are plenty of spaces left for anyone else who wants to join in this charity event.

Drew

I would have loved to go , but at that time on a sunday
I will just be opening the cafe at the market..
try a Saturday next time

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REACH 1000`s of PAPHOS CUSTOMERS EVERY DAY FOR A FRACTION OF WHAT THE OTHERS CHARGE
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Whilst the optimist and the pessimist argued that the whisky glass was either half full
or half empty ? .
I drank it .....
The opportunist..

Well, we're getting ready for the drive. We don't want to feel the odd ones out so we've found a second-hand Land Rover which we're preparing now. It needs a bit of work on the engine and a polish up, but that won't take long. Looking forward to seeing you all.

Pete & Sylvi

I know of a chap in Polemi who might come round and give you a hand Pete.

Hi Pete,
I'm afraid you won't be able to get this back on the road in time for our event.
This is an ex-Army Series IIA 109 FFR 24 volt. This is easily seen by the rectifier grill and the position of the indicators and sidelights
This is circa 1961-1966. I'm not sure you will be able to source the specialist parts needed in time.
If you were to convert the electrics back to 12 volt you could get it back to a running condition with a couple evenings work.
However, this would upset the Land Rover purists for not carrying out an authentic restoration.
I also notice the oil cooler is missing, but a later Series III could be made to fit with little problem.
Perhaps you could join the Ex-Military Land Rover Association.

Drew

(Ummmmm. Did I type that out loud, I wonder if anyone out there thinks this is all a bit sad?)

Well I bloody do !!!!!!

Pete

Hi Everyone,
I just thought I'd bump this up for the last time, just incase somebody missed it.
It is this coming Sunday and we have quite a few PP coming.
Please get in contact if you want to come along.
Drew

Hello everyone.
Thank you so much to everyone who turned up.
Below is the report I have submitted to the newspapers.
If you have any photographs I will email you all an address where they can be posted for everyone to see.
Drew

SSAFA 4x4 Scenic Drive
8.30am on 25th April was a beautiful sunny Sunday morning. In the village of Stroumbi near Paphos thirty Off Road vehicles arrived at the village petrol station, all looking forward to the SSAFA 4X4 Scenic Drive.
The participants had to decide in which of the two groups to travel. The first group was made up of well prepared Land Rovers ready to tackle some difficult terrain. The second group consisted of smaller, less robust, 4x4 vehicles like Toyota Rav4 and Daihatsu Terrios.
After a drivers briefing and short talk on the work of SSAFA Branch by the Chairman, Lt Col Andrew Noyes, the groups set off. The route took the participants down the Avgas Gorge and into the Akamas Peninsular. After a brief stop to play in the sand dunes and to tow out a few unfortunate and enthusiastic vehicles, they carried on. The views were stunning especially after the groups climbed the ridge to Neo Chorio where you could look left or right and see two different coast lines. The groups eventually arrived at a picnic site above Neo Chorio where some people laid out some very elaborate spreads. A number of people decided the venue was so nice they broke out the BBQs and decided to spend the afternoon there.
After lunch the more hardened off roaders set off for the second half of the day. This route consisted of more technically difficult driving. Some of the tracks were rain damaged and had deep gullies running down them. This really tested the skill of the drivers but everyone felt a great sense of achievement in getting through the obstacles and they were rewarded with some more spectacular views.
The day eventually ended with a BBQ at a forest picnic site near to Panagia. This was an amazing day that everyone seemed to enjoy and most people were anxious to find out when the next day out was being organised.
SSAFA Branch would like to thank everyone who came to take part and all the marshals who gave their time and petrol for free.
A total of €650 was raised to continue to fund the work of SSAFA Caseworkers throughout Cyprus.
For more information on SSAFA in Cyprus or to find more information on becoming a Branch Caseworker, please log onto http://www.ssafa-cyprus.org