It’s purported that Hippocrates said ’walking is man’s best medicine’, but one has to wonder whether it relates to hiking / trekking because the only medicine involved in this walk was to treat one’s injuries, aches and pains. The mind had little time to absorb the joy.

Perhaps a little more in depth research would have helped, but that doesn’t help now, we can only reflect on what a really challenging undertaking it was and take some solace and pride from the fact we made the 509 kilometres relatively unscathed..

Today started with a pre- dawn rising and early breakfast before leaving to go 30 km downhill and 20km uphill to the starting point on the other side of the valley.

Not sure if it was host’s previous pilot experience, but a check of cars breaks before going down the steep hills seemed reasonable given the outcome of any brake failure.

Got to see an amazing sunrise across the Mediterranean and then headed for the hills, evading a pack of 4 dogs who chased the car. Not sure if the thud as we passed by was a pothole or we collected one. On the way back there was no carcass visible, so they must have survived.

Given the driver often took people to the starting point his balancing the GPS  and checking it every 20 seconds was quite distracting, especially when there was only one road to follow.

As we moved up into the hills a couple of slow cars in front gave him the privilege of overtaking on a hairpin bend, probably 10 metres separated us from hitting another car caming around in the opposite direction.

I sat with my eyes closed for the next few minutes, as we weaved our way through mountain roads just wide enough for one car.

After more GPS watching came a cry from Jane in the back ‘ we will get off here, think we have missed the track start’. Driver dropped us off, headed in opposite direction and we found the steep track down, plus a mangy mutt as a guide

It was steep and rough with many traps hidden by pine needles. Bboth of us took tumbles but mainly skin off, pride hurt and no major injuries.

Wound our way down for about 4 kilometres before a quick road walk and 2 more kilometres of the steep downhill which ended with a water crossing.

Most was on a wall and then some

slippery rocks, which I deftly avoided by going ankle deep in water and giving my boots a much needed wash.

We passed another set of ruins, just for the sake of it

About 200 metres up the road  a sign signalled the start /finish of the walk, though the track went another 700 metres up on to the main road according to the trail guide.

We had officially finished ‘twice’ at 1020pm, some 28 days since we started. Took  the obligatory photos and headed back to a camping ground to wait for our ride to arrive and ferry us to  Antalya 

Where we finished is very popular with climbers and we watched people free climb up some pretty crazy slopes- made you feel a bit of a wimp complaining about slipping off trails.

Jane spent the time reflecting on the great outcome of the golf club annual meeting which saw the silly old men lose the push to eliminate fixed start times for women on Saturdays. Her contribution before leaving played a major part in the success, so happy for her to hold onto the’ cat who got the cream’ smile.

Picked up in the absolute peace of the mountains and within 40 minutes back into the mayhem of Antalya. a city of 2 million and the traffic that goes with it.

The GPS was working overtime, like the horn on driver’s car, as we weaved our way through the one lane streets of the Old City in search of our hotel.

Finally arrived and what a wonderful  finish to the trip down. A hotel spread across 4 old Ottoman buildings and reeking with charm and history. Our room was beautifully furnished and comfortable.

Took a stroll through the town which is amazing. As expected it was  tourist oriented with restsurants, bars, trinket sellers and even Turkish Rug Shops with no ‘Closing Down Soon’ signs.

The architecture was stunning as was the views across the harbour, where ships new and old ferried the tourists around to the scenic highlight spots.

Enjoyed a drink in a garden bar within the courtyard of a grand old house. Surprisingly prices were reasonable, which was maybe a sign the tourist season is winding down or competition post Covid is tough.

A bit more wandering around in a town where dogs are catching up with cat numbers. Both are everywhere you walk, drink or eat.

Then it was a  bit of a  rest  for a body which seems to have realised that the walk is over and time to release the hidden aches and pains.

Enjoyed dinner at a traditional restaurant, where two staff serviced about 60 people and we had a short burst of entertainment from the 5 piece band, before treading deserted quite streets back to the comfort of a full sized bed.