Quiet Start and Fiery Ending

More like holidaymakers hours today, starting with an 800 am
Terrace breakfast on an absolutely stunning day.

We decided the 1000 metre climb up out of town was for younger kegs and we walked to the bus station instead , ito take a bus to a place that looked about halfway and meant an early finish.

The struggle of the full bus up the hill immediately justified the decision and our sky high farewell to Kalkan was finished in 15 minutes.

A nasty bike and car accident slowed us down a little bit. Interestingly it’s the first we have seen in a country where frenetic driving is the norm.

To my surprise the first bus stop was about 300 metres from where we were staying this evening, which meant it was not all downhill on a supposed doddle day.

Arrived at final destination at a cute elevate village green where 8-10 locals were solving the problems of the world.

We got a few rations and started in party mode with an ice- cream at 1030am.

Wandered through a very old rural village which is starting to undergo a change with more city people building holiday houses to enjoy the mountain cool.

The rustic part of town was made up mainly of ramshackle country houses where humans and stock lived in close quarters. We came across an elderly lady walking her two goats and I decided to take a photo snap – not sure if she was hissed off at me or just keeping the goats moving with the hissing noise she made.

Next part of track , was probably fit more the goats than us as it climbed up the hill at 30 degree angle – just getting a foothold was difficult let alone making progress.

Reached about 2/3 of the way up and we lost the track. Thankfully the licals had built a new road in last few years and an over grown pathway proved an easier way forward to a juncture with a main road we needed to cross.

Looking at map we decided a road walk would take about the same time and be less of a foot slog.

We headed down an alpine way passed by a pair riding tandem on a scooter – Dad driving and coasting to save petrol and Mum on back with a bag of crops.

At the bottom we ended up at the same bus stop and headed off to find our rural B and B.

Half way we found a funky cafe with a range of different eating areas, including elevated platforms where you sat on the floor. The decor was amazing for a place in the middle of nowhere and owner was someone who would have safely fitted in at Byron Bay.

There was a table of guys who were either locals or campers eating, drinking and playing backgammon.

Decided to have lunch because it was s bit early for B and B arrival.

Put our order in and watched an elderly lady wander around collecting sticks and then a fry pan in preparation to cook our lunch of meatballs and some form of a Turkish toasted sandwich on a fuel stove. They were both delicious.

It looks as though Croc’s are the shoe of choice here, with males and females , young and old wearing them -everywhere.

Found B and B in a prime position 5 metres from roads edge and next door to Mosque and opposite quite a large school.

Operators were a couple of thirty somethings , a lovely Turkish girl and the other her French partner. Both spoke good English.

Room was small but comfortable, with bathroom being a true WC, it was a metre by metre cupboard in which you took all ablutions.

Outdoor balcony had great rural views and of mountains we would have walked down had we not trod the road. They didn’t make good viewing as a bushfire had swept through on the weekend. It was probably where those water tankers were going on weekend because it would be impossible to fight it any other way.

When booking in we ran into the same Turkish walkers we have met on other days, but that was last we saw of them.

Quiet afternoon waiting for baggage to arrive so we could change. After changing went into town and provisioned up for tomorrow. On way in we noticed kids sand pits here are a little different- they are gravel pits.

In discussion with owner in the evening he said it would be an easier walk if he drove us to finishing town and we walked it in reverse. After such a lovely dinner who could refuse.

After dinner spent a little time reconstructing yesterdays blog which I accidentally deleted.

The sunset here was amazing.