Middle-aged flash packers

     14 very lazy days spent in Dalaman.

The first few days were spent in complete avoidance of getting in the car. My knees certainly enjoyed the rest and no longer ache from hours sitting in the same position.

We caught up with Dalaman ex pats, performed some chores and generally pootled about.

On the Friday we had an unexpected but very welcome visitor who was in need of recharging batteries and some tlc. 

Recharging batteries consists of doing very little other than sleeping, reading and lying in the sun – reading and sleeping. This enforced rest was actually very welcome. Our manic desire to rush around was soon quenched and it got to the point where even preparing lunch seemed like a damn nuisance.

Now our visitor has gone, we have one last day to clean up and plan our journey home. 

Monday is a return to Eceabat then Tuesday will be driving through Bulgaria. Exciting!

I will be sorry to leave Dally though. We keep toying with selling up but somehow this scruffy old town seduces us. It’s certainly not everyone’s cup of çay. Noisy, dusty, no tourist beauty spots, bars or beaches. But I like the fact the old Turkish couple next door come every night to tend their allotment, that when we arrive, the people in the apartments just down from us welcome us with grapes from their garden, and the lady down the road brings her goats to nibble the grass on the playground behind us. 

I like the pragmatic approach to life people have here. For instance, when we were at the bank, a disabled chap who rides around in some sort of cart doesn’t have to come into the bank – they go out to him. Another man in a similar predicament who sells lighters etc from his cart gets a shave from the barber who comes out to him on the street. No-one worries about widening doors, ramps etc , common sense prevails and people are helpful. There’s no fuss, it’s just done.

There are many things that make life hard work in Turkey but it will be a wrench if/when we decide to sell. 

   I’ll miss feeding up the little “bin cats” as we call them. It’s lovely to see them go from skinny, timid things to plumper, healthier animals. I do feel sad leaving them behind but tell myself at least they’ve had a few weeks of full bellies and feeling safe. The kittens in particular respond quickly. From being scared and apathetic, within a few days of food they’re jumping all over the place and having fun.