Drama at sea!

In my official capacity as chairperson and founding member of the BBC (beach bed club), I've been busy testing the beach beds at the Surf Camp near Datca. There are 10 beds there with parasols 2 metres from the waters edge. They are all in good order with a comfortable cushion, a short walk from the bar and the facilities. The camp is situated at Gebekum (pregnant sand) and the bay either side consists of protected areas of outstanding natural beauty. The sand is volcanic and has floating stones which are traced back to a massive volcanic eruption in the med thousands of years ago. Behind the beach there are dunes, home to many rare and exotic plants, insects, birds and reptiles. The sea constantly washes up amphora as this area once produced wine that was exported all over the med. The beach and dunes are mostly protected by a rocky reef although sadly the company that originally set up this camp removed some of these rocks to facilitate the launching of windsurfers.
So of course this is where my other half likes to spend his time with his little band of international windsurfing buddies. We have been meeting them there for years, some camp there in tents or camper vans and others like us have holiday homes in Datca and travel there each day. Most seem to be there again this year and report that the wind has been super for the last month. This has put the wind up Matt (so to speak) because usually when he arrives somewhere and they say that, the wind usually drops. but so far so good and he is a happy chappy - well almost.
On Wednesday there was an incident that I suppose in the worst case scenario could have left me husbandless! I was on sunbed number 2 and oblivious to the shinanagins at sea because I had just discovered they had wifi on the beach so was busy reading the Mail online. There were all sorts of interesting things on there such as when will the royal baby arrive and how the queen wants it to hurry up. It is supposed to be one of my jobs to keep an eye on Matt but quite honestly it is difficult because there are quite a few of them, mostly men and they all sail backwards and forwards half way to Symi (Greek Island). Then every now and again the wind changes and every one rushes back in and changes their equipment and sails so it really is quite hard to spot him. Also I have never mastered the art of using binoculars, Matt says it is because I am a woman but I just find them very uncomfortable. There are plenty of them out at sea and there is a rescue boat. All just as well really as Matt needed them on Wednesday. His mast broke, which of course they shouldn't do as when you are half way to Symi causes a few probvlems. He faced a long swim back and the decision of whether or not to abandon his kit which of course is expensive. Thankfully another windsurfer was near and noticed his problem and alerted the rescue chap who sped out and picked him up. So all was well - but I missed it all. So now he has purchased a new mast and decided it might be an idea to replace the boom as well. Flipping expensive but there you go. It's all my fault for buying him a windsurfer as a wedding present 30 years ago!


There are 10 beds for me to test at this beach, they are rarely used much as most people who visit this beach are too busy sailing. So really it is my duty to sit there - somebody has to do it.





Forgot to mention that before hitting the beach we strolled around the Wednesday farmer's market' Here are a few purchases'



Clevedon

This was a rather sad day as Matt and his brothers and sister said a final farewell to their parents and scattered their ashes from Clevedon pier. It was the nearest Sunday to their Mum's birthday and almost a year since she died.  Hil in her position of new matriarch read some poetry and the ashes floated off like a cloud over the Bristol Channel. It was all very beautiful.
It was a gorgeous sunny day so we had coffee on the pier, wandered round a beautiful garden and looked in a few shops. Later we had lunch on the balcony of a pub and then the fit ones went off for a hike.

Hil dressed for the occasion and wore her Mother's hat !

Ms Keevill and 2 x Mrs Keevills

Belgium

The Flea Market in Bruges

This trip to Brussels was fairly sunny and warm. Our last trip there was during one of the coldest ever March weekends, so it was a lovely change to be able to walk in the parks and enjoy beer and chips in pavement cafes. We went of course to see Jack who is still living there. We spent Saturday in Bruges which is a very pretty town and I must have walked every cm of every cobbled street. On Sunday we visited the Parliamentarium, my second visit there and I still haven't taken in all the information. It has made me realise why it is important that we stay in the EU and any people with doubts should go and visit. It is one of the best information places I have seen.

EU Parliament

Beer and chips a tradition it seems after work on a Friday.

We had dinner in a book shop come music shop.

The European Commission

Bruges

A Beer Shop

Smile!

yum

The Old Town in Brussels

Another Sneaky Week!

Hil had a week's holiday left and it was half term so we decided on a last minute booking and headed off to Datca. Today is our last day of what has been an action packed, fun filled week catching up with old friends and generally enjoying the sunshine. It has been tinged with sadness for Turkish friends who have been caught up in the Gezi Park protests in Istanbul and other cities around Turkey. However sleepy Datca was safe for us with just a couple of noisy but peaceful demonstrations.
Here are a few photos of our time here.



Breakfast at Papatya with Sylvia

 We always catch up with our lovely and very glamorous friend Sylvia and usually have breakfast with her. This time it was at Haldun's restaurant and it scored very highly on our best breakfast top ten - probably number one!  All of the food was home grown or home made and his Aunt's strawberry jam was the best ever. We lingered for the entire morning chatting and watching the world go by, later we were joined by Ruthie Babes and Alan for more laughs and chats. A perfect morning.

Our attentive waiters who filled the table with the most delicious and very fresh food - no supermarket lables here!

Haldun, the owner of Papatya. His restaurant is in a lovely position overlooking the harbour with comfortable chairs and delicious food. We have known him for 20 years and he looks just the same now as he did then! My female friends enjoy visiting as he is very handsome and very charming!!!



Ruthie Babes and Alan joined us for coffee.



Fevzi - my favourite Datca pooch, here on his holidays from England for 6 months!



In our quest to try every breakfast spot in Datca, we visited Beyaz Amca, another of our favourite restaurants. This was also very delicious and nicely presented. The restaurant is on the harbourside and well worth a visit.

The Mercan beach bar very near my house and very nice for afternoon tea.

The sea at Palmut Buku was very wavy!

Intrepid Hil rising from the waves.

The trip back from Palamut Buku.

Perili Kosk Hotel on the outskirts of Datca was the first hotel we stayed at in Turkey over 20 years ago. Then it was a Sunsail Club and just perfect for our family. Now it is an all inclusive resort and much bigger than when we used to go there. We went there yesterday for a look round and found you can get a day pass for 30 euros. For this you can eat, drink and use the facilities.





The thermal pool in Datca



The Bluebell Woods

I spend a lot of time chasing the sunshine all over the place and sometimes forget it when it is right on my door step. Here are some lovely photos of the woods not far from my UK home in Gloucestershire.