Page 34 - Mind, Body & Spirit Number 104 2020/21

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Ilanded on the island on 28 Aug 20 and received a swift but excellent handover from then SSgt (SSI) but now WO2 (QMSI) Chris Wood. He somehow blagged staying out here in the
glorious sun for 3 years so it was about time he left the island. On a serious note, I got the feeling that Chris, Siobhan and the kids had thoroughly enjoyed their time here and they were genuinely sad to go.
Episkopi Garrison consists of around 2000 service men and women, dependants and locally employed civilians. My daily tasks here in Episkopi other than topping up my tan or heading down to Happy Valley for some water sports are supporting HQ BFC, Episkopi Station, Combined Joint Policing Unit, Military working dogs and the medical centre. Facilities here in Episkopi Garrison consist of the station gymnasium, the station swimming pool and two smaller gyms within Troodos camp and Mount Olympus which are both Op sites. The views from Troodos mountains are spectacular and it is well worth a trip if you are ever out here visiting.
Luckily, on arrival the restrictions on the island were not as tight as the UK and we were able to play and compete in several small competitions. The Episkopi Station Commander has an annual competition “Exercise Sporting Challenge” which sees all units stationed within Episkopi Garrison compete in a variety of events.
Fortunately, we managed to finish the competition before the restrictions tightened in Nov 20 finishing with the penultimate multiple event relay competition which consisted of a 5km run, 15km road cycle, 2km kayak, 800m sea swim and a final 5km run. 2 MERCIANS won the relay event and were announced the overall 2019/20 competition winners.
My first 6 months have been rather interesting, as well as carrying out my normal everyday role I have also been assisting Episkopi Station with providing meals and setting up a large number of mini camps for those isolating in Bloodhound Camp after their arrival to the island. Many of you may remember using Bloodhound Camp during decompression following tours. To ensure these camps were fit for purpose myself and a few others spent a great deal of time moving gym equipment, building tents and some good old sandbagging.
My last 2 months have been spent as part of a COVID testing team which has involved testing service personnel, dependants and locally employed civilians leaving isolation or flying out of the country.
I remain optimistic and hopefully soon the island will be running a number of great sporting competitions. The first event of the year was Gym 2 Gym which usually consists of a half marathon run from Episkopi Gym to Akrotiri Gym. The event was run virtually this year due to the restrictions with each station setting up its own 21km route which could be ran over a 7-day period. Other Cyprus sporting events which take place annually are:
• Bay to Bay (1.5km swim form Lemmings beach to MTW).
• Cyprus Walk down.
• Mountain to Sea (60km mountain bike event from Troodos
to Akrotiri).
• CBF Sports Cup (one day multiple sports event). • Swimming gala.
• Dhekelia dash.
EPISKOPI STATION CYPRUS
SSgt (SSI) L Brimble RAPTC