Buzz on the Beach

Yesterday there was a buzz on the beach. All the wind and kite surfers had been lounging around for days in the 40C heat with no breeze and were getting hacked off with it. So yesterday afternoon up sprang the famous Datca wind and dozens of them rigged up their sails and headed off in the direction of Symi. Matt was among them wearing his very bright board shorts and he wizzed about all afternoon while I read my book on a lounger. He was one of the last to come back at around 18.30, looking very happy and then we sat on the beach for the best part of the day with a beer.

Later that night we dined at Maradona's Restaurant in the harbour followed by drinks at Yasar's bar where we met a couple of teachers on their holidays fron England. It was nice talking to them and we rolled home about 2 am.



You can see him for miles in these shorts!



A warm one

Oof it hit 40C in the shade today, too much for me and even now at 22.30 it is 33C. There was no wind for Matt or at least not the right kind of wind, so we had a lazy day watching the boats pass by, reading our books, snoozing, dipping in the pool, enjoying the kitten and then at 16.00 as the temperature dropped a little we went down to the beach for a few hours. There is a new beach bar where the ramshackle Twinkly Star Bar (our name for it) used to be and fast becoming one of our favourites as it is by the sea and so close to home. It is called Mercan Beach Club but no doubt it will remain Twinkly Star Bar to us as it is there where we have seen the most shooting stars.

So cute to watch



La Cattiva built in Falmouth UK



Mercan Beach Bar

Mum, you are bonkers!

This was said to me a few years ago when I decided to visit Lynne in Turkey. I had chatted to her in an online chat room for a couple of years and my gut feeling was that she was my kind of friend. Matt and my kids thought I had gone mad to meet up with someone who I had met via the internet. Of course I had always told my kids to never do what I was now about to do. Mad axe woman, nutter, swingers and various other names were suggested but I went any way and my gut feeling was right. Lynne and her husband are now on my list of favourite friends. They are a bit mad as they have 6 dogs and I reckon another one could join their throng at any time! However they are a lovely kind of mad and I have visited them several times in the past few years along with my sis in law and Matt.
After I dropped my international friends off at the airport I drove down to spend a couple of days with them. It was so relaxing and we chatted and swam in the pool. The dogs were very friendly and I fell in love with Molly a soft nosed Springer with big soppy eyes. We had a lovely dinner at a restaurant in Uzumlu, name escapes me. Then the next day an enormous breakfast at another restaurant. I was so very naughty as I telephoned Hil and introduced her to the waiter!!!!!
Last night I said my goodbyes and drove to Dalaman to pick up Matt from the airport. I am very pleased that I now feel confident to drive longish distances in Turkey alone. It opens up all kinds of adventures and I am lucky to have so many lovely friends to visit.

Breakfast at Uzumlu

Memories of a lovely week

Sadly the international ladies have now gone and Matt has taken their place for a very different kind of holiday. We had a great week with lots of laughs and adventures. Thank you ladies for coming and I hope to see you soon.
Here are some photos of our week together.

Supper at sunset at Palamut Buku

Lunch at Nirva beach Club

Shopping

More eating!

Squeaky introduced her baby

Visiting Aysel

Sleeping under the stars and full moon

Resting

Today I am lazing around while the others ladies headed for the beach. I am enjoying the pool and the fabulous flowers with Matt's favourite gliding, stripey butterflies everywhere. They were dancing in pairs over the pool but too quick for me to photograph.

Curious

My Turkish neighbours are very curious about my friends. They can't understand how I have so many international friends. So we have been spending time explaining it to them.

Many years ago I took part in a Comenius project through the British Council. Five European schools took part - England, Finland, Italy, Germany and Lithuania. The project lasted 4 years and since then many of us have remained good friends and luckily our husbands have also become friends. Some of us have got to know each others children and some of the children have become friendly. So now some of us meet up for social events such as birthdays and holidays. The International Ladies Week is a bit of a joke but it has become a tradition and we have a lot of fun together. There were some men on this project and of course they would be welcome to join our week, maybe they could dress in women's clothes rofl. However we now seem to have an annual ski week in February and they are very welcome to join in with that.
We sometimes see our Finnish friends although travel for them is difficult. Sadly we don't see the Lithuanian friends as international travel is very costly for them. Dahlia if you see this - we miss you! For the Germans, Italians and English travel is so easy and with Easyjet and Ryanair it is fairly cheap for us to travel around for regular meet ups.

So in order to join our ladies group, there are conditions that must be met.
For this particular week you must be female.
You must be a teacher in a European school.
You must enjoy travelling.
You must be adventurous.
You must enjoy discussing international affairs.
You must be a little crazy.

This opportunity to make so many fabulous friends was special and I have to thank the British Council for supporting and funding the project in our schools. It was so interesting to visit their schools and exchange ideas. Also a huge thanks to Mike who was my Head Teacher. He started the project and allowed me to become part of it. Whizzing off for a few days during term time to visit Milan, Stuttgart, Finland and Kaunus was brilliant. We enjoyed the professional stuff but also the socialising and the gossip and scandals!
Now I am semi retired I don't have the opportunity to take part in such a project again but I can still enjoy the gatherings with these old friends.

The International Ladies Week in Datca

It's that time again and this year the delegates arrived from England, Germany and Italy. We have settled in well and have stocked the fridge with many delicacies. Tonight my lovely German friend is at work in the kitchen and the smell wafting up to me is delicious. Later we will be partaking of the local drinks by the harbour.
Today we lazed around on the beach at Kargi Koyu discussing world affairs and reviewing our books. They both want to read mine!  Lunch was delicious at Nirva beach club. We have already fixed the next meeting with husbands in Austria next February this is also an annual event called the International Couples Skiing Week. Anyone wishing to participate should make it known soon.
PS most of the cats have called by to see me.

My kind of friends - at work in the kitchen!

Bird watching is one of our activities.

Lunch at Nirva Beach Club

Exercise is very important during our meetings.

We also love great views but such a shame that Turkish people drop so much litter.