Author A S Bielby

About me I was born in Stockton on Tees to a family living in Middlesbrough. We moved to a village near Whitby in North Yorkshire where I spent many years. I graduated from the University of East Anglia, worked as a Careers Advisor ending up as head of a university careers service. I have two children, two stepchildren and a lovely grandson. The children are grown-up with their own lives.

My husband and I came to Cyprus to live in 2007 after a hectic work life ‘to live the dream’, having finally retired from the property management business.

I have, for many years, wanted to write a book but I didn’t really know how to do it. Having met a member of the Paphos Writers Group, I decided to apply to join so have had a lot of practical help as well as encouragement to write. I am now slowly writing my novel as well as short stories. I met Glynis Smy (author of ‘Ripper, My Love’) recently, whose encouragement and help have given me a new lease of life..

My book ‘Payback Time’ is set in the North of England, as well as the south west of Cyprus. It is a romance/ family drama; how they meet and endeavour to overcome adversity, experience adventures on the way. Will they all make it intact through dark days? Time will tell.

Friday 12 April 2013

Crisis - An Update

A view of the island from our terrace
Well, I hardly know where to start except to say that things really have just started to get a whole lot worse with hardship lurking around every corner for this beleagured island nation. They have survived many invasions but this one is so severe it will take more than a generation to recover from I think. It would seem to me that it is all through the ineptitude of the Banking sector, who put all their eggs in one basket -Greece-, shady business practices and the mismanagement of the economy as a whole by the previous goernments. The commmon man is now left with this awful legacy. With little capital left to pay wages and invest in new projects how can they grow? So far the queues at banks have been orderly, the people have shown dignity in face of this adversity but will this be maintained in face of mass unemployment? One could be forgiven for thinking not.

There are so many casualties. Those who have retired here now can't sell and have been caught without the full documentation for their properties and now little chance of selling. They are trapped. We number ourselves amongst these. We love this island with its fabulous scenery, lovely climate, more laid back way of life, however if the need for ones family becomes overwhelming these are of little comfort. The air fares have become too expensive for families in the UK to visit often, particularly as they are facing challenges in their lives .http://www.glynissmy.com/

On a positive personal note, we have been fighting for our Full Title Deeds for 8 1/2 years! Yesterday I went to our postbox and there they were. I can't believe it. It is a real Eureka moment. For those still wanting to sample the warmth and joy of this scenery there will be bargains to be had..People buying can always pay in sterling into UK Banks if they are nervous about bringing money to Cyprus.
http://www.century21cyhomes.com/3-bed-Villa-for-Resale-in-
Paphos-Cyprus-424.asp