Cyprus reaches 50

Tomorrow marks the 50th anniversary of the end if British rule in Cyprus.

To an outsider like me, this island state has the familiar trait of very small countries in that they display their independence in a small-man-syndrome style that is both quirky and odd.

Like many of its former colonial possessions, Britain has left its mark on Cyprus.

They still drive on the left, they have British style traffic lights, and attempts to cover solid British street furniture are not a great success.

There are countless numbers of these British pillar post boxes all over the place and painting them yellow doesn't mask what they are. The one in this picture is probably from the 1940's and it bears the Cypher of King George the Sixth. (G VI R).

Happy Birthday Cyprus! and congratulations to the London foundary who cast these very durable objects :)