Turkey

30th September 201115th March 2020 By roychinnorNo Comments

We spent our rest day nosing around Istanbul just like typical tourists. Visited the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace, the waterfront and discovered Istanbul’s answer to Hampstead. There is an area of boutique hotels, bars, and restaurants. It comprises mainly of restored buildings so it is clean and very, laid back for Istanbul. As finding accommodation had taken four hours and resulted in budget breaking costs we only stayed for one rest day before moving on. Late change of mind meant we took the coast route south from Istanbul, along the coast opposite the Gallipoli Peninsula. After a hot days driving of just over 300 miles we stopped at Canakkale. This town is opposite the main battlefields, and now cemeteries, of the World War 1 action, so poignant for Australians and New Zealanders. We quickly found a hotel close to the ferry terminal and tried to check in. Having checked, with a rather beautiful receptionist, that they had rooms available,...

Last Post from Turkey

19th July 20089th March 2020 By roychinnorNo Comments

Well after five days Ordu was finally put behind us. We took the coast road to Trabzon, a distance of no more than 120 miles. The scenery was pleasant but not spectacular, much the same as many other coast roads in European countries such a s Spain or Italy. The traffic was its usual horn tooting, waving, jostling self and the day was shaping up to be a generally relaxed affair. Arriving on the outskirts of Trabzon around 11:00am I noticed one particular vehicle that had been trailing me for a little distance moved up on the outside of Bridget. I looked over and the driver made it clear that he would like to stop and chat. Being as I had plenty of time on hand and we were on the edge of town I thought ‘why not’, so I let him overtake and a couple of hundred metres up the road we stopped. He jumped out of his vehicle and...

Some Early, Some Late, Some Never

17th July 20089th March 2020 By roychinnorNo Comments

I am in Trabzon on the coast of the Black Sea for two days. I got a surprise today when a package from England arrived a day early!! Well done UPS. The package contained amongst other things a cable needed to enable me to upload files from my camcorder. However, the Turkish Government in their infinite wisdom has banned all access to the YouTube website which we use to upload our videos. So I am afraid the potential Oscar winning films will have to wait a little longer, perhaps I will have learnt how to use the camcorder by then. I have at last succeeded in fixing another technical hitch and uploaded the Departure photo's. So we are getting there....

Back on Track

10th July 20089th March 2020 By roychinnorNo Comments

Hello and good evening from Ankara. Yes, after a 400 mile dash we are back on course, but not for long! We will stay here for a day and then make our way up to the Black Sea. A few more photo's available, the first from people we have met on the journey. The album is called "As others see us" and today's are from Franz and Angelika Reither in Vienna. Bridget is well....

Off Course

8th July 20089th March 2020 By roychinnorNo Comments

Honestly there is nothing wrong with my navigation, they just keep moving places! I am currently about 400 miles off the published course. I decided whilst in Turkey to take a look at some of the historic sites and started by visiting Ephesus. I had thought of staying in Izmir for a couple of days then changed my mind and drove south. Glad I did as I have found charming little resort in a stunning location called Gokova, and I am staying here for the best part of three days....