Back to Datca

As mentioned before Datca is my favourite place for topping up the vitamin D levels so Hil and I have ventured back for our first trip of 2013. We travelled on a cheapy Easyjet flight from  Bristol costing around 100 pounds return. We ended up sitting by a man and his adult son and during the flight they consumed 5 bottles of champagne. The son told us his Dad had just got out of prison - not sure if he was joking!
I drove over the mountains from Dalaman avoiding the donkeys and hedgehogs but there wasn't much traffic after midnight.  Ercan has rented us a nice new Fiat Soleo, he says I am not just his best customer but his very best customer! So I usually get his newest cars - I did try to tell him it might be better to give me a battered older one.
On arrival at 2.15 am, we had a lovely surprise. Bella one of our favourite pussies came rushing over to meet us, purring and miaowing loudly. She hasn't seen us for 7 months but she followed us into the house and made a big fuss of us. This morning Beyaz turned up and Squeaky,  followed by a new one called Aphrodite. No sign of Bruiser or Sultana - I wonder if they made it through the winter? These four are looking glossy, fat and healthy so someone has been looking after them. I think our gardener has a soft spot for cats.
The garden is looking good and the trumpet flower tree is full of lovely yellow flowers. Last year I grew tomatoes in tubs and there are new baby plants coming up where some have seeded.
April weather can be rather changeable but today it was sunny, blue skies and 24C in the shade - smashing. After a late breakfast we wandered down to the harbour for coffee and then a delicious tuna salad lunch. Quite a few folk were swimming in the sea so Hil and I may give it a go in the  next couple of days. We have settled in now and did the grocery shopping and had a look round to see what had changed. Sadly they have started on the new marina and that area looks a mess, there is a new hotel by the harbour. The new harbour which was almost finished last year is now complete and the plants and trees have settled in well. Our little local mini market has closed down which is such a shame. The vet has also closed. We bumped into a few friends and had all the hand shaking, kissing and welcome routines.

One of our reasons for coming was to see the Spring flowers and they are gorgeous - papatya (big daisies) and poppies everywhere. We will venture along the peninsula on Sunday to see the wild areas.