The main church in Polemi is the Church of Panagia Odigitria (The Leading Virgin Mary). 

Dating originally from the 12th century, it was extended in 1723, badly damaged by an earthquake in 1953 and renovated in 1962.

The village of Polemi is famous for its wild tulips, and the village council makes a really big deal of it.  It must be some historical thing, because to the best of my knowledge the wild tulips only exist in one particular field.

Today being the height of the tulip season, I slung the camera bag on my back and rode along to go and have a look. 

Today is also Polemi's Tulip Festival, so the one field was a pretty popular place to be.

Snow just isn’t very common in Cyprus, apart from on the higher parts of the Troodos Mountains. 

So it was bit of a surprise to look out on Thursday morning and see snow on the ridge above Panagia.

Springtime in Cyprus is just the best!  The countryside becomes totally verdant after the winter rains and blossom is everywhere.  Here’s what an hour with the Nikon captured yesterday morning!

The blossom on the trees has survived a pretty wild week.  We’ve had rain, wind and thunder – usually all at once.  Despite that the trees are still dressed up in their spring finery.

Austin A50 Cambridge, dating from between 1954 and 1957, quietly rusting away in Polemi, Paphos District, Cyprus.  26 February 2011.

This time of year in Cyprus is wonderful.  The sun is still warm, and being lower in the sky, the light is just awesome.  Especially at each end of the day.

The almond tree is a tree of Cyprus, belonging to the family of roses, plums, cherries and peaches.

The almond is a fruit tree dating from ancient times.  It was grown first in Asia Minor and North Africa.  The almond was known to be one of the best fruit trees in the land of Canaan.  Over time different cultures have carried almonds around the Mediterranean and to neighbouring countries.

The Bedford J truck was manufactured between 1958 and 1976 and was based on a 9ft 11in wheelbase two ton chassis.

There was a choice of two engines, both made by Bedford, either the 3.52 litre six cylinder petrol engine, or a four cylinder 3.14 litre diesel, that was upgraded to 3.29 litres (200 cu in) in 1960, and again in 1967 to 3.61 litres.

25 March was "Greek Independence Day", a national holiday both in Greece and in the Republic of Cyprus. 

It marks the start of the Greek's fight for independence from the Ottoman Empire which began on 25 March 1821.  Independence was finally atteined in July 1832.

Greek Independence Day is marked by historic exhibitions and cultural displays in many of towns, cities and villages.

In Polemi we heard the kids practice for the parade for several days, the sound of their drums carrying across the peaceful countryside.

So of course we had to go and check it out. 

As always in Cyprus, there was a great sense of community. An eqaully always internationally, how do teenage girls perfect that sullen look?

Enjoy the pictures!

Spring in Cyprus is wonderful.  Everywhere is covered is brightly coloured flowers.  Of all the seasons, Cyprus is at its best in the Spring.

Natural beauty always moves me.  And so the camera has been out a fair amount over the last couple of weeks.