Just Bumming Around

Found out that Mosque sending out all the noise was  built 6 months ago and only 5 families in the town. Apparently the Govt are trying to rally up support by building them everywhere and anywhere.

With a maximum temperature of 34-35 predicted today it was up very early so we could get some kilometres under the belt before it got too hot on a shorter day, but with much trickier terrain. That is including crossing a very rickety aqueduct. I had been having nightmares about it and certain Jane will publish pictures of a terrified human being on Facebook bumming their way over it.

 We met the owner who was also our tour operator and nice to put a face to someone who had been so helpful in organising.

Usual fabulous meal and snapped a good photo of Bucky the dog.

Lumped bags down the spiral staircase and soon off and away to the starting point in Cavdir.

With imminent threat of death later in day , it was appropriate we started walk in a cemetery. Not sure how they measure age here, but some people’s birth year was 1323- I know there is lots said about healthy lifestyle – but 800 years old, it will need more investigation. 

Hothouses continued to dominate the Delta below,  whilst new villas were doing likewise on the hillsides to take in sweeping views. One had that many drain holes he was likely to cause a flood down the hill if it rained.

Then it happened, the broken acqueduct bridge. I completely lost my nerve and bummed my way across, looking at the fall below.

We had been walking in full sun on a day with no breeze and some predicted shelter under Mosque failed to materialize as we went off track.

Aqueduct turned into a 50cm wide concrete dish and it was our track. Except for when the thorny bushes had us on a makeshift dirt path , close to the edge.

As predicted in the book the track was heavily overgrown and it was a battle of the scratches as we made our way along- we were bleeding like wounded soldiers. You had to be careful walking on bush lined narrow tracks as they would often be strong enough to bounce you off balance.

Dropped anchor after 2 hours and stripped off to try and get a bit of breeze on the body as clothes were saturated and had developed a massive thirst, even after taking on 2 litres of water. 

Water did not prove a problem in next 600 metres as we came across the famous water canal from the hilltop spring. Although about 50 cm wide it was a rushing torrent and we drank and filled our bottles with gay abandon- didn’t matter how wet we got. 

Came across an old fella with a set of ‘tooth’ worse than Bucky the dog. He thought we might get lost so decided to be our Sherpa  for about 500 metres leading us to walk in water about 20 centimeters deep. I think he asked for a cigarette, but I gave him what I thought was enough to buy a beer- turned out to be Euros- no wonder the quizzical  look. 

More balancing acts in the creek, but not a single fall today, maybe adoption of the military approach ie saying left right in my mind and watching every footstep land and stopping to take in the view helped.

Finally out of the creek and after a challenging uphill to the road, it was downhill for a while – 200 metres. That said we had a fabulous vista back to the way we had just walked.

Next was trying to get up a roadside cutting to get onto the track about 15 metres above. Lost the plot after 3 aborted  attempts and yelled something at Jane and stomped off looking for easier access.

Scrambled or more like crawled up and got onto the semi dirt track  and walked to within touching distance of home – looking for a track downhill.

After more than 4 hours we stopped , regrouped, ate some chocolate and read the guidebook. At the same time we took in the pleasures of a nice breeze and filled up on water to face the 50 minutes to walk around a valley and find an uphill road into town.

Timing was right and we trod the last 750 metres uphill to accommodation to be greeted by the nicest hosts to date. The son spoke perfect English.

We ended up in a first floor apartment ie lounge, bedroom and bathroom , being the only guests and to boot they lugged our cases up the stairs.

A long cold shower, some tea and fruit and then hallelujah a dip in their magnificent cold infinity pool. 

Followed that with a lay in the shade and some great conversation with the boy who is a system tester. 

Over half an hour we ran over the economy, politics ( including huge influx of Russians), Covid  pandemic , weather, education, their family situation – this is actually their summer house , his job, his Dr sister and bits about Australia. 

Unfortunately, parents speak no English but tried ever so hard to be welcoming.

They believed It was the hottest day of the year, thankfully tomorrow in only 28 and we are heading for the beach.  The smell of smoke and a couple of large firefighters flying overhead suggest they were correct and fires are nearby.

Dad was playing computer speed  chess and Mum like many Turkish women making something to eat.

I think it’s pretty much a society of have’s and have nots with little middle class. All the same they are all very welcoming.

Got internet and saw Parra’s  demise and an email from Michelle showing me a cut on Mitchell’s leg, inflicted on last school day, which makes mine look like a mossie  bite.

What a surprise another sumptuous meal. 

Over dinner we got all the fine points of Turkish wrestling being shown on Tv which Dad had his eyes glued onto right through dinner. Interesting they are thinking of duplicating the house in backyard – must be some money in B and  B’s over here

Got things organised for another early start tomorrow, then off to the Queen sized bed for a sleep.