Chasing the Sunshine: 2013

Tuesday, 10 September 2013

Last trip of the year - maybe.

Coffee time.

Beyaz called in to say hi.

My favourite beach.

This was the last week of August and first week of September. I started the holiday with Hil in Datca and then headed off to Uzumlu to catch up with old friends and a new one! Then for the last week we picked up Matt from the airport for another late night/early morning drive over the mountains back to Datca. We had a very strange experience at the very top of the mountain as we drove along for the first week but on the second trip we only saw donkeys - phew!!
The two weeks were over all too fast but we had a great time. The wind for Matt was really good and he sailed right up until 45 minutes before leaving on Sunday. It was a very sociable two weeks with meet ups with many friends.
Here are some photos to keep me going during the winter months. I think it is unlikely that we will return before next May.


David brought some singers to entertain us.


Belinda's birthday party and breakfast with the girls.

You never quite know what will be served at breakfast. This time it was a kind of fried Yorkshire pudding!!!

We had a lovely afternoon at the camp site beach watching the boats come in.

Lunch at Mesudiye ...

An afternoon at the Mare Hotel.


Lunch at home - note how food seems to feature heavily in our photos!


Then it was off to Uzumlu to visit our smashing friends.


Lynne and Dave had Guy to stay - he did well to keep us giggling during our visit.

Back to Datca - fresh fish for sale by the boats.

A view from our house.

Kormen - the other side.

A night at the amphitheatre.

I think this one gave Hil a bit of a fright!!


Ruthie babes, Alan and family rolled into town!

Wednesday, 7 August 2013

So Much Fun

Well our three weeks in the sun are over and we had a lovely time. Matt had lots of windy days so he was very happy. It was very hot but the breeze made it easier and we had lots of relaxing mornings on our terrace or swimming. Afternoons and early evenings were almost all on the windsurfing beach at Gebekum - fine by me they have good sunbeds and facilities. We had some evenings at home relaxing on the balcony watching the sun go down over the Med. Our cats were around much of the time - Beyaz, Aphrodite, Spot and Bruiser. Sadly my favourite, Bella wasn't and I think she was the one I spotted dead in the road :( she was a lovely friendly puss and this was her third summer with us. Cats there don't last long.
We had some very good meals although I lost my appetite and often had lentil soup for dinner. We didn't manage breakfast out as it would have been too much food and all I wanted was yoghurt but will catch up on that during the girl's week with Hil soon. I didn't go to the market either, just couldn't face it in the heat. I'll go in September.
We caught up with some very lovely friends and had a few boozy nights in the Sunrise bar laughing and chatting. We met a few new ones and I have Hil set up with a date for next August - that's if she's not married by then! We found a man of a similar age to her who loves going to night clubs. Could be a match made in heaven and such a shame he'll be gone when she returns soon.
There are some changes in Datca, it has grown considerably especially in the last two or three years. Some of the changes are good and there are some smart new shops. Many of the roads have been resurfaced and some pavements improved. The very ugly Ogretmen Evi has been pulled down and next year there may be a park in its place (hope so). There are a lot more honey shops and also bread shops and little cafes. The terraces by the harbour now have tables and chairs and there is a new cafe serving drinks. It looks lovely.
Metro cars came up trumps and gave us a brand new car so we looked very smart in it - he says I'm not just his best customer but his very best customer. I'm just glad we didn't prang it.
Only three weeks between visits this time so I didn't mind leaving and the cooler weather at home is rather nice.
Here are some photos of our holiday.