Robert Kyprianou 65 – Another birthday milestone, another challenge. At 55 walked 1000 miles around the UK in 69 days (http://www.1000miles4hopeblog.blogspot.com/ ); at 60 cycled the 800km perimeter of Cyprus (http://www.ilovecyprustour.com/ ); at 65 aims to walk 210 miles over the mountains and across the island, tip to tip.
Born in London to parents from Trikomo and Ayios Georgios, both near Famagusta now in the occupied area. Married to Soulla from Morphou, also in the occupied area. Retired, now an enthusiastic photographer. Keeps body active by adventure travelling, for example climbing Kilimanjaro, hiking the Inca trail in Peru, walking 1000 miles around the UK, white water rafting down the Grand Canyon, and cycling the perimeter of Cyprus. Keeps brain alert by playing competitive bridge and through membership of company Boards. The purpose for the tour is to celebrate Robert’s 65th birthday on the 2nd September 2018.
Len Williamson 62 – Long-time friend, fellow adventurer and photographer. Len retired in 2006 and moved to Spain where he looks after his beautiful wife, plays tennis and bridge, walks to keep fit, has rediscovered the love of bird-watching and has mastered the art of cooking. Len was the inspiration behind the 1000miles4hope ‘stroll’ around the UK in 2010 to raise money for MS research which has inflicted his amazing wife Karen for over 3 decades. When asked what he thought of the idea, Len had no hesitation in offering to accompany me. Perhaps he should have studied the geography of the island first!
Nicholas Roberts 61 – Married to Robert’s sister, Teresa, naturally fit and trim and always up for a crazy challenge, Nick volunteered to take on the challenge. A senior medical consultant back home in Blackburn, having a doctor on the trip seemed like sensible insurance cover for the geriatric expedition. Nick and I had been in the party that had planted the Cypriot flag on top of the 20,000 ft peak of Kilimanjaro some years earlier.
Tugberk Emirzadi (from Nicosia to Apostolos Andreas) – Licensed walking guide, politician, botanist and environmentalist, Tugberk was our Turkish Cypriot walking guide on the northern side of the island. Tugberk introduced us to the magnificent Besparmak walking path, a delightful track along the top of the Karpass mountain range to Apostolos Andreas, along the way teaching us about the local plant life and describing the culture of the north and its people.
Logistical Team (southern part of the island) – Teresa Roberts, wife of Nick, sister of Robert; and Soulla Kyprianou, wife of Robert. Teresa and Soulla would take the walkers to the start of their route each day and pick them at the end of their day’s walking, moving luggage from rest stop to rest stop.