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I'm sure you'll have worked out that TA (T'other 'Arf) and I have actually 'bought' a property.
The inverted commas are because we have just paid the deposit as we await military clearance. I am also not sure that even 2 weeks after we agreed a deal, the reality has sunk in yet.
At this stage, I won't be putting on photos or anything like that, out of respect to the vendors who still, at this stage, own the house. I promise to add them once we have the Tapu in our name and I am officially allowed to jump up and down and scream and wave my villa-buying knickers in the air.
In the meantime, get a cup of tea. This may just be a saga .......
Chapter 1: It's my thing
TA showed no interest whatsoever in my year long 'Research Into The Turkish Property Market'.
Every time I tried to engage his opinion on a property or discuss the merits of a location, I was met with a gently gestured flat palm and the words,
'Aisha, it's your 'thing', leave me out of it, I've got enough to think about running this business and doing all the work despite having 3 kids and a wife supposedly helping, blah blah blah blah'.
So other than checking that the budget I was working to was okay, I left him out of it. Completely.
My two youngest children displayed levels of interest verging on patronisingly polite and exchanged looks of 'Aw, bless our poor ol' Mum, least she's happy, what with her Turkey Obsession and everyfink ....'
My eldest son was very happy to listen to me and look at every link I sent him on Facebook Messages of a 'this one is really nice' villa. Thank goodness. I felt like I had an ally. Although in reality and hindsight, I think these were all differing reactions to humouring me, as not one of them believed we would actually buy anywhere in Turkey.
How on earth did all this come about anyway? TA and I spent 10 years without valid passports and became 'a few days away on the coast' experts in the UK.
And as much as I can genuinely appreciate the glorious beauty of our fair isles having traveled its length and breadth, I'm not sure either of us could take promenading around yet another struggling seaside town with a vista of closed and faded amusement arcades and mackintoshed elderly battling a summer gale.
So I actually got round to it and renewed our passports. A minor celebration ensued and I booked our first holiday abroad in 10 years to Portugal. First package holiday too. We went again later in the year. We then went to Dusseldorf for a Trade Fair. All enjoyable in their own way. All never longer than 7 days away.
Then I got ill. Found out I'd inherited my Dad's heart condition not at all helped by the fact that we were running a very busy late night bar, never had enough hours in a day and stress levels were sky high. After a short spell in hospital, I was under strict orders from docs and family to 'take a back seat in the business and not work so hard'.
I found this very easy to adapt to.
I also find a mere mention of the word 'stress' and a pained look in my eye is sufficient to garner a chair for me to sit down on and someone to pat my hand ...
But anyway, this sort of thing (cliche warning) makes you reassess life etc, etc. It also gave me time to plan our next sojourn abroad. Turkey. Specifically, Calis Plaji.
To be continued.
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Good on you!! It's a decision you won't regret.
I'm already looking forward to some pics but please don't show us the big girl knickers ??? ;)
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Great news.......... hoping you will be very happy living a ? stress free live here in Turkey. :) C
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Thank you, ladies. You sure about the knickers, Anne?
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Go Menthol! You've had a bit of a warning there? Life is for now - relax - you sound like you work very hard? I'm wishing you all the very,very best! I know you will love your new venture. Can't wait for the disclosure of new property! ;D ;D ;D
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Ooher.... I wouldn't have done that ;D ;)
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Enjoyable read Menthol and enjoy your new life ;)
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Enjoy, I am much more relaxed here - sure you will be too.
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Oh purleese - no more knickers already ! Shaping up nicely for Khan Family material -tbc...
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Great stuff Menthol. Fingers crossed all goes well for the purchase of your property and I can't wait to read all the rest of the (very ;)) entertaining chapters to come.
Moving out permanently isn't for us, but when OH retires next year we plan to spend more time in Calis, maybe a month at a time, May and September look most likely.
It's the only place we know we can go and completely relax. :)
Looking forward to seeing the photos.
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So happy for you and delighted to read such a well written first chapter......looking forward to more - thanks Mucker!
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Thank you very much everyone for the warm wishes and Scorcher, my knickers are big enough to paraglide down Babadag with. They probably deserve their very own TV series.
And to Bluwise: 't'pleasure's mine cocker.
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Great read Aisha, so happy for you and can,t wait to read more updates.
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Next chapter, please, Menthol!
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great reading roll on part 2
hope you are feeling ok after your turn.
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Good on you!! It's a decision you won't regret.
I'm already looking forward to some pics but please don't show us the big girl knickers ??? ;)
I love this assumption about your knicker size
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Good on you!! It's a decision you won't regret.
I'm already looking forward to some pics but please don't show us the big girl knickers ??? ;)
I love this assumption about your knicker size
No assumption - self confessed "my knickers are big enough to paraglide down Babadag with"
(Read the thread ;) )
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Very happy for you.
We left it too late to buy so we now rent for 6 months, it suits us as we don't like the hot summers anymore.
We must have a coffee at a harbourside cafe one day when you get sorted. We arrive on the 30th October until the 28th April. Booked our flight with Monarch using Tescos points vouchers.
DonM
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Love it. And I can't wait to see photos....but not of you paragliding in big-girl knickers.... :D
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Angela: you were right. I was in fact, deeply offended by Anne's very blasé assumption. Note: not big knickers but big girl knickers, a subtle but nevertheless very important difference. Humph. >:(
DonM Man, that's a shame! I leave Fethiye on the 28th October! However, I am sure to be back during your stay, so you have been warned ....... I will definitely hold you to that harbourside coffee ;)
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Chapter 2: Hello. Where have you been all my life?
That thud of hot air that hits you when you step out of the plane at Dalaman. It even smells hot. As you make your way to the luggage carousels, you feel the first of many beads of sweat tickle their way down the small of your back.
Smiling driver packs you and others into his very clean minibus. You set off, suddenly wide awake despite the lack of sleep and crane your neck to see the stately mosques, fruit laden orchards and hazy mountains.
I see it! A fleeting v-shaped glimpse of glistening turquoise as we rounded that dusty bend in the road. The sea.
Tumbling out of the minibus and greeted by grinning, tanned hosts, we reach our apartment in Çalış Plajı. I explain once more to TA how to pronounce our destination, 'It's CHaliSH, not Kaliss'. He nods and rolls his eyes. Again.
It was Day 3 of our very first visit to Çalış (and indeed Turkey) and I was stood on the balcony of the apartment at about 7pm and watching the sun set. The frogs started clicking their evening chorus and there was a faint waft of Turkish music floating from a passing water taxi. 'Hello, Turkey', I said quietly to myself, 'Where have you been all my life?'.
Dolmus. Kebap. Lira. Genuine Fake. Smiling waiter. Turkish breakfast. Süt. Otogar. Paspatur. Pazar. Kordon. Efes. Lemon Cologne spray. Every time you see the letter 'c' without a comma under it, you pronounce it as a 'j'. Look LEFT when crossing the road. All the eggs are white. Yes, the cigarettes really are that cheap. XL on that t-shirt means it will just fit your 13 year old son. Tomatoes the size of your fist and water melons the size of a chubby 12 month old baby.
Beaches you cannot contemplate walking barefoot on beckon you to sit and gaze and enjoy a welcome, gentle breeze. Dogs sleep in the shadows of a tree, half lifting a paw to knock away a fly. The sun sits on your head and your sunglasses slide down your nose again as you read a prom side menu and wonder if you are hungry yet. Riding the water taxi and seeing Fethiye actually shine in the midday sun whilst you dangle your arm over the side hoping it gets splashed. The mountain tops looking like they have snow on them and turning pink at sunset. Sitting at the harbourside cafe with a çay or a freshly made limonata and discussing whether that woman is Turkish or not without staring too hard.
The week felt like it had only been 2 days long. I already missed Turkey whilst sitting on the runway at Dalaman. I started thinking about when we could next go again. I knew it had to be soon.
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Menthol, that one brought tears to my eyes, you got it spot on! I know exactly what you are saying.
Brilliant! Roll on chapter 3 :)
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I was actually in Calis with you then.......beautifully described!
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Just a perfect description, missing our October visit, have to wait till next June, am living a second hand life through you lot till then!!
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Menthol you'd make a brilliant blogger! ;)
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she should be in the travel industry, a wasted talent!! :D
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*blushing* Thank you, ladies.
I do rather enjoy writing.
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Soooo looking forward to chapter 3 Menthol ;)
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Menthol you'd make a brilliant blogger! ;)
She is a brilliant blogger! So, blog on McMenthol!
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Thanks, Arty. And I've been really laughing to myself because I also know there are many others reading this thinking,
'FFS! So, you bought a house in Turkey. We get it. Show us the pictures, tell us how much it was and shurrup'.
;D ;D ;D
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Well you got that right !
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If you don't want to read it...
Don't.
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Well you got that right !
:-*
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If you don't want to read it...
Don't.
Hear hear! There's often topics on here that don't really interest me, so I don't read them. But I wouldn't want to spoil other people's enjoyment by making unnecessary comments!
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I can blether though. For a long time. Without stopping for breath.
And I've got to that age where I feel I have earned the right to 'say it as it is', which for an already plain speaking Yorkshire lass, is dangerous territory indeed.
I have wrought a whole next level of cringe from my kids. I love it.
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Menthol, as another 'plain speaking Yorkshire lass' who has been at a certain age for a while now ;) I understand entirely!
You can blether away to your heart's content for me! ;D ;)
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Aw shucks, Marina.
:D
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Da can't arf rabbit dee Menthol! ;D
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Dar can shut thi gob anorl, Bluwise.
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'appen.
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Ah, Menthol I am so excited for you.
I arrived in Uzumlu for my new life last weekend. Being a lone female I have played it rather cautious and have rented my UK house out, and rented over here for 6 months to see if I like it. I already absolutely love it and agree with everything you say about Turkey. Unfortunately I have now backed myself into a bit of a corner, I want to buy here but can't until my place back home is sold, and when my rental runs out in 6 months time I won't have anywhere I can afford rent at the summer rates !!! Dohh...
In the meantime I look forward to your next chapter, and can't wait for pictures x
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Oh, Susie! What are you going to do then?
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Enjoy your new life but I think you have been very wise to rent first. It is early days yet, don't burn yours boats, winters in Uzumlu can be extremely cold, so suck it and see how you feel at the end of the winter.
Don't worry about getting a rental property six months from now, I know that in Fethiye they are available all year round and at a reasonable rent - I am assuming you would be happy to live amongst Turks. As a lone female I think you are much safer in a predominantly Turkish area than in apartments and villas which are used mainly for the summer season.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do. :)
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Thanks, i know it makes sense to see the winter out first. It would be so much nicer with a log fire and some English tv and I can't get either where I am. I hope to adopt a dog eventually too!
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It would be so much nicer with a log fire and some English tv and I can't get either where I am. I hope to adopt a dog eventually too!
Susiepink, I noticed our neighbours, an English couple who live in Koca Calis permanently, have Internet and connect their laptop which has IPlayer downloaded onto it, via an HDMI (?) cable. They were watching 'Strictly Come Dancing' - perfect picture on their large screen TV. They watch all their favourite English TV programs that way.
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Don't worry about getting a rental property six months from now, I know that in Fethiye they are available all year round and at a reasonable rent - I am assuming you would be happy to live amongst Turks. As a lone female I think you are much safer in a predominantly Turkish area than in apartments and villas which are used mainly for the summer season.
Wise words. Rentals in this area are ten a penny, in fact its a renters market all year round really - and after a winter in the styx of Uzumlu, chances are you'll be gagging for a wee place back in civilisation by about March next year (if not before!).
JF
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CHAPTER 3: The Obsession
I needed to check out another area in Turkey. Needed to see if it had quite the same effect on me as Fethiye. Needed to understand why, as someone who had always vowed never to holiday in the same place twice, I now couldn't understand why I'd want to holiday anywhere else.
I booked us a week in November in Antalya. We stayed right on the edge of the Old Town in a lovely big hotel and really got into the vibe of a larger Turkish city. Bright sunny days and cool rainy nights. We really enjoyed it. Two days after we returned, I booked our next trip to Fethiye.
During the 6 month wait for the next holiday, I whiled away my spare time checking out property websites in the Fethiye area. This fast became a ritual of ensuring I had seen EVERY emlak site within the Mugla region. I became adept at mentally exchanging lira into pounds and Euros into sterling and could tell from the glance at a thumbnail photo and a scan of a tortured brief translation, whether a property was of interest to me or not.
I created files and spreadsheets and my inbox was full of short, stilted messages from Turkish estate agents with a stream of badly taken wide angle photographs of bathrooms and particularly the toilet. I marvelled at the many marble floors and winced at much of the furniture.
Exotic sounding and unpronounceable place names became as familiar as my hometown, as I poured evening after evening over Google maps. No one ever wanted Street View of the Fethiye region more than I did. Potentially suitable properties were 'blue/yellow pinned' on 'My Maps' along with a url link to the estate agent website.
TA was only slightly curious. Me hogging the laptop wasn't exactly unusual and anyway it meant he could watch all those rubbish TV programmes that I didn't have the patience for.
'Are you serious about actually wanting to buy somewhere in Turkey?' he ventured one evening.
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:-\I realise you have to sleep at some point...but come on..i,m enthralled. : :)
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This is like Listen with Mother, and now children.......... ;D ;D
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CHAPTER 4: A Day Out With An Agent
TA was unable to come with me on the next trip out. Very inconsiderate of him. The trip became a me, my Mum, my daughter and my youngest son trip. I was very keen to see what they thought of the region. My eldest son had already become a 'fan of Turkey' after one visit.
It was May. It was hot. The Calis Plaji mosquitos emanating from the Kus Cenetti area next to our apartment, were ruthless and fierce. Sinkov, lemon cologne, Repel, 80% Deet, applied several times a day and filled the bedrooms with choking fumes. Still my daughter and I resembled twitching paintball victims with huge glowing pink blotches.
The day I met with the Agent for our pre-arranged tour, was 42C and I was a spotty, sweaty, squelching mess concerned that my Mum would be able to withstand the heat. Kids were packed off to Fethiye for the day, me and my Mum enjoyed window seats in a leather upholstered, fully air conditioned Nissan Qashquai.
We toured Calis, Fethiye, Ovacik, Ciftlik/Koca Calis and Uzumlu. I have no idea how many properties we saw. It was a lot. I know I made the Agent stop several times to buy water for us and never once did I need to wee. We lunched in a lokanta in Fethiye and had the best meal I had had all the time I had been to Turkey.
We saw properties that looked as though they had been designed by a coke-addled architect and thrown together by a pi$$ed off builder. Bedroom you cant actually stand up in? Tick. Balcony designed to withstand the weight of 2 mosquitos and a plastic chair? Tick. Black kitchens with red tiles and disco lighting? Tick.
We saw properties so beautifully cared for and obviously loved that I wondered how the owners could possibly bear to leave them. Vine shaded and expansive terraces with fridges full of water and Efes to hand. Gardens full of carefully nurtured fruit and nut trees and heavy with glorious, multi coloured bougainvillea. Turquoise pools shining in full sun and beckoning you in. Portraits of shy, smiling grandchildren watching as you climb Gran's stairs. Spotless bedrooms with bespoke, handmade pine furniture. Bedside table with a Tupperware box full of prescribed medicines. A walking stick adorned with a blue eye amulet. A pair of BHS slippers peeping from under the bed.
My Mum and I caught our breath stood on Jean's terrace in Uzumlu. Despite the heat haze, we could see for miles. Mountains, forests and a wide valley dotted with houses and patchworked with fields. A priceless view that no-one would believe until they stood there and saw it themselves. And silence. Real silence. Not even a murmur of breeze. The kind of silence that erases cares and stress and fills you instead with an unreal peace. I had a real moment stood there.
It scared me.
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im enjoying this!
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Don't stop now, is this the one? Talk about enthralling, your writing is great :)
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Ah Menthol, this is so wonderful. You're voicing all the things I feel and you've brought tears to my eyes more than once.
I've been crazily busy for the last couple of weeks and this is the first time I've seen this. Can't wait for the next chapter. Thank you. ;D
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Can't wait for the next chapter Menthol, this is wonderful! :)
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CHAPTER 5: Location, Location, Location
The day out with agent had served several purposes it seemed. I realised three bedroomed properties were not going to be large enough. That a degree of privacy was important to us. A sense of openness and views were very much preferred and the ability to travel easily in the region using public transport became a Top 3 essential. Narrowing down the location seemed to be the next step.
That 'moment in Uzumlu', stayed with me for a long time after my return. My Mum confessed the same. I realised I wasn't quite ready for nirvana. Yet.
With some minor collaboration from my family, I settled on focusing my search in the areas of Ovacik and Calis. Very different from each other, these two locations offered many property opportunities. My previous potential 'ideal property' shortlist was now quickly reduced from over forty to approx eight villas. My eldest son was due a holiday and he was duly despatched to stay in Calis with three days of viewings set up for him with three different agents. We'd discussed at length the many criteria and I was confident that his opinion on the properties would be similar to mine.
On his return we agreed to reduce the shortlist to five, three properties falling short for various reasons. TA and I were due in Calis five days later to meet with the remaining two agents. AND I had actually booked us a two week stay! Our first in seventeen years after spending three months in Kashmir in 1996. I was actually wondering what we'd find to do for fourteen days .........
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........ and?? ...............
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;D
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Wish I'd been able to go with you, viewing all these villas - I'd so enjoy thrashing out the pros and cons of each (for you, of course - not for me/us!). Much better than just gazing in every estate agent's window I happen to come across. You sure have done your research - did all this really pay off in your final choice - or did you just walk in, look around and say "This is it!"?
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I have only just picked up on this thread and am well impressed. Menthol, you are an "easy" read and your descriptions are colourful and interesting.
It comes across that the fun is in the quest as it was with us. Sue and I had a "moment" in Uzumlu and are buying in December. Now were bored. No more internet searches. No more anticipation on visiting a new potential abode. But hey ! Sue is looking forward to trawling the shops for Turkish " stuff" in December.
Look forward to your next revelations
Me and Sue
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Marcia, if I'd known and we could have arranged it, I'd have been very happy for you to be a third eye on our viewings!
And Hugh, you are so right. All those nights trawling the net - and now I have nothing to look for anymore! But like Sue, I keep making sneaky glances at furniture pages. I think for a lot of the wooden stuff though, I'll be going down the handmade route as some of the nicest furniture I came across in other people's villas was all bespoke and for a fraction of the price we'd pay in the UK.
Thank you all for your comments, though I reckon I'd have written it anyway :D - I just enjoy rambling, on and off page ;D Bit of a 4-wheel mouth. (That's your cue, Scorch ;) )
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Well hello Hexatiydrothymol - what's the deal with the abbreviations ?
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Nope, not even a Google search is helping me with Hexatiydrothymol, so I'm either going to have to wait until TA the Chemist returns home or you are going to have to help me and risk posting something that could be more than one sentence long, Scorcher.
Many apologies for the abbreviation of your name. It hints at familiarity and even fondness and we definitely can't have that!
:-*
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I bet the chemist makes a decent concoction in the bar's cocktail portfolio !
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Ha! You hit the nail on the head there, Scorcher!
Neither of us drink, but boy oh boy does TA like inventing drinks! The two favourites with our customers appear to be 'The World Famous West Street Live Schit Bomb' and 'Coco-Milko'. And the 'Chuck Norris' is a special occasion drink.
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Celebrate the locale by "inventing" a cocktail calling it The Master Cutler ?
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or "Blade Runner" ?
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Oooh, I like Blade Runner.
My sons used to use an old Little Mesters workshop for their band practise room and one of the rooms opposite was still occupied by a master craftsman. He used to make decorative knives for the American and Japanese market. They used to love checking his latest work out.
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Oh wow Menthol what a story and to think where you have ended up I can,t wait to read the next chapter. ;) xx By the way it,s Jackie xx
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Hello Jackie!
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Not been on here for yonks was just having a catch up when I came across your blogs really good
:)
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I haven't been on board for ages either...but the football was so boring!
Menthol-you have a lovely story to tell and you tell it in a fabulous way. So I will certainly checking in for your updates.
Turkey has always found a way to get under our skin (we've been going since 1999) my Mum says we step into it "like old shoes" and I think you do too.
You certainly capture the essence of the place...enjoy your adventure and look forward to hearing all about it.
Jo.
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Thank you very much Jo and Jackie. When I feel a little more up to it, I'll do some updates. :)
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I haven't been on board for ages either...but the football was so boring!
Nice to know there's us when things get really desperate ;)
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Well have to make the most of times when OH doesn't moan about me being on the ipad ;D
So been on Facebook, CBF, Schnauzer-Forum, Pinterest, Flickr, Pret-a-Porter...lovely evening!!!
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C'mon, Menthol! Logged onto CBF to read the next chapter. . .
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Well have to make the most of times when OH doesn't moan about me being on the ipad ;D
You too eh? ;D ;)
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Oh wow. I can't believe that it has been A YEAR since I last posted on this thread.
I feel I might have to at least finish off the story so far, if only for my own benefit as I've just re-read everything and quite enjoyed it! :D
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Nudge, Nudge Mrs!!!
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Well..... Get on with it then!
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Yes come on! You're just a tease! ;) ;D
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And then? . . . ?
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She's too busy living the highlife to write about it these days.....we just trail along in her wake. ;D
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Perhaps we should write it for her!
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Chapter 6: 'Sweat and Tears'
'We aren't going to spend the entire two weeks looking at properties, are we?' TA whined as he wrestled with his seatbelt. I gave one of those distracted and barely-hiding-my-impatience-half-muttered, 'What? No', responses that most women will be familiar with. Firmly wedged into a seat on a Thomas Cook September flight, I was really hoping this was going to be the visit that finally secured us 'The House in Turkey'. If, only, I, could, get, comfortable ......!
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'I think she's here!' I called to TA as I pulled aside the white billowing curtain at the apartment window. Bang on time, our first agent Mandy, greeted us with a huge friendly grin and whisked us out of the searing heat of Calis to view the shortlisted properties in a marginally cooler Ovacik.
How can a house, in the flesh, seem SO different to the idea you had of it online? The first two houses Mandy showed us around had been okay but not for us. And now, finally the last on this agent's shortlist, House No.3. A definite favourite of mine from my endless nights scouring the internet back in Sheffield. I had been particularly excited about seeing it. And now we were here, stood on the driveway and I was so disappointed I wasn't sure if it was a bead of sweat or a tear trickling down my cheek.
The interior failed to lift my spirits. The windows were all in the wrong places, the crazy layout of the open plan downstairs area irritated me with its smallness and the pool was more 'plunge' than 'large family fun'. The 'authentic Turkish kosk' was so low it looked like a luxurious chicken coop. Was the house really owned by a diminutive family? Mandy hadn't met them, so was unable to answer ...
And our ever cheerful agent was not deterred by our tepid responses so far. 'There are other properties you may have not considered ...'
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It was always going to be the property that swung it rather than the agent. Mandy was excellent. Could not fault her unfailing enthusiasm, her encyclopaedic knowledge of the area (lived here for 20+ years) and her ability to think outside my very closed box of criteria. She arranged new viewings there and then on the spot, although I did wonder at times if she was making a phone call or really just delivering a little hushed aside directly to the TV camera à la Phil Spencer. But, it wasn't to be. Mandy, thank you though, you were fantastic.
Bring on Agent 002, Lennie. We started the day in Calis. Property No.1 was beautiful. Everything that could have been done, had been done. And with excellent taste. Even the furniture included in the sale was perfect. The location was flat and within yards of a dolmus route. And I am sure that if we had been 15 years older and wanted to see and speak to each and every one of our neighbours every day, and wave to them in their gardens, and nod to them on their balconies, it would have been a no brainer.
We exhausted Lennie's portfolio. I had a sort of favourite, TA had not seen 'the one'. Lennie showed us everything that came remotely near our criteria. The majority of which were handsome houses and often amazing value but just didn't press our buttons. We were all a little despondent and very tired so called it a day. As he dropped us off back at the apartment in Calis, he leaned out of the car window and called, 'I'll call you tomorrow. I have an idea'.
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Keep going, we await with bated breath
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Go Menthol, go! :)
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Chapter 7: 'Onwards and Upwards'
As Lennie's car trundled up the winding, steep, and crazy main road into Ovacik, I marvelled at the apartment blocks on the left clinging to the hillside and envied what must be phenomenal views over the stunning vista of Fethiye Bay. We overtook the man on the scooter clutching a large gas bottle between his bare knees and holding a long, perhaps 3 metre strip of wood under his right arm and looking like some modern down at heel knight heading into a joust.
Lennie's idea, as mentioned the previous day, was to introduce us to another estate agent based in Hisaronu. Lennie assured us this guy was the only other emlak he ever worked with because he trusted him completely and utterly. In everything. And although this most trustworthy of souls, Beni very cheerfully greeted us dressed from head to toe in stylish white linen, he'd clearly left the halo at home.
Four hours later we had exhausted yet another set of properties that ticked at least half a dozen of the must-have boxes on our list. And it was hot. Again. I resisted the temptation to jump fully clothed into the pool at the final villa as Lennie and Beni had a hushed private discussion and TA lit another cigarette and asked me if I thought the tree he was looking at would bear lemons come the winter. I couldn't summon the energy to reply.
'We know you are really wanting a re-sale but Beni wants you to check out this new build. He thinks it is perfect for you'. Lennie had developed that very fine skill of staying positive and relentlessly cheerful regardless of how awkward and uncompromising the clients were. Although all I wanted to do was go back to the apartment, lay on the bed and bathe in icy air from the air con, I felt obliged to at least try and match some of Lennie's zeal.
Now I don't know about you, and despite my artistic leanings, there's a definite limit to how far I can stretch my imagination. The 'perfect for you' new build was a pattern of 1 foot high concrete and red waffle bricks. The site was a death trap of trenches and loose stones. Whilst Beni waxed lyrical about how good it would eventually look, TA lit another cigarette, fixed him with a hard stare and interrupted him with, 'Just show us something really good. Please'.
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Brilliant, now you are teasing us, and loving it!
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I love your writing style Menthol - I'm intrigued!
Have you read Jack Scott's blog - 'perkingthepansies.com' originally about his move to Turkey but general stuff now and very funny. I read his book a couple of years ago and it was really good.
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Recently donated this book Perking the Pansies, at the charity shop, on the front of Calis beach.
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On my to download to my kindle list. Thankyou Menthol. Missing your unique humour on CBF lately. :)
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Thank you very much, Sadler. :)
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Next chapter please! My (one day) book to compete with your best seller will be entitled "How we eventually got our Tapu". It will be a laugh a minute and, no, we still don't have it, but it's coming…honest!
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Recently donated this book Perking the Pansies, at the charity shop, on the front of Calis beach.
Got those on my Kindle. Loved them. Especially liked the names he came up with the various groups - MADs etc!
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Going to be looking for Perking The Pansies, Sue. Cheers for the recommendation.
Can't believe you still haven't got your Tapu, Arty. Really hope it arrives very soon.
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I took Perking the Pansies back to the 3Cs shop on Friday. Enjoyed it in parts, but won't be looking for any sequel :( As for his names for the various groups, hardly original, as most of them have been doing the rounds for donkey's years for example, I first heard VOMIT 10+ years ago.
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Just to see what you are all talking about, have just purchased the pansy book from Amazon for my Kindle.
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I'm sure they were, Liz, but I hadn't heard some of them before and found them amusing. :)
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This is like one of my favorite novels, I know perfectly well what's going to happen, but still can't wait. Get on with it!
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Chapter 8: 'We're going to need a car'
It's a distinctive house. I recognised it immediately. As we rumbled along the lane, I could see the top facade of it against the backdrop of pine trees. I know that TA had challenged Beni but I also knew this house was way out of our price range. I'd admired it online many a time back in Sheffield as I visited and re-visited my favourite Fethiye area estate agency sites. However, it was too big and considerably more money than we had set the budget for.
Before I got chance to say anything to TA as we clambered from Beni's car, he was already up the steps and stood on the terrace. He turned to me, grin in place and said, 'This is it. This is the one'. We hadn't so much as stepped inside yet.
There was nothing to fault about the house. It had character, felt homely despite it's huge size and was different to just about every other place we had looked at. Beautifully tiled neutral coloured floors at every level and marble stair cases, with wrought iron bannisters. There was a strong sense of well thought design and well, yes, love, sitting in the corners and stroking the curves.
Stepping onto the upper covered terrace through the french doors, we were smacked in the face by the most glorious and expansive views. Mount Babadag soared into the blue at south east, the thin soil summit luminous white in the sun and the steep side facing us dark with dense forest. Directly south was a glittering, extensive wedge of sea spotted with paragliders silently swooping like colourful gulls.
South west to the left of a softly rounded high hill, a smaller wedge of sea and layer after layer of mountains marching into a final hazy horizon. Fethiye to the north west and revealing to us a smattering of tiny far away houses. And all around pine trees throbbing with the vibration of a million cicadas laying a white noise backdrop for the overbearing heat.
'We’re very high up the mountain side’, I mumbled to no-one in particular. ‘We’re nowhere near any dolmus stops or shops’. I directed this to TA.
‘Well, we’re going to need a car then’, he grinned.
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I'm intrigued..........
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I'm sitting here in my onesie, cup of tea in hand yet I'm there with you on your balcony taking in those fabulous views! 8) :D
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Evocative and prosaic.
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:D and :-\
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An excellent read Menthol. How about a sequel "my observations after a year in Turkey". ;) ???
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Chapter 9: 'Hoşgeldiniz!'
January 2014. The white Renault Symbol hire car struggled up the mountain road. A line of large gravel pieces deposited after the early morning rains, rasped under the tyres and shot like bullets into the roadside undergrowth. We willed the car upwards in stuttering second gear and then stalled as a large black rooster wearing feathered flares dashed in front of us, dangerously close to spinning tyres. Two failed, almost vertical hill starts later and we pulled up in front of the house. Our house.
We looked non-plussed at the large bunch of keys and teddy bear keyring in TA’s hand.
‘I don’t know, you are just going to have to try them all.’ I contemplated the huge vault like door with it’s mysteriously foreign three-lock system.
‘You do the door and I’ll go and switch the electricity on’, I called over my shoulder as I disappeared around the corner and down the steps to the lower terrace.
I re-appeared five minutes later, clutching my scarf to my forehead to stem the blood seeping from the gash I’d acquired courtesy of a palm tree trunk situated directly next to the electricity box. The flow was quickened by my regularly prescribed intake of Warfarin.
We still weren’t in the house. TA had resorted to profuse swearing and kicking and hitting the door. I continued to helpfully bleed, a lot, on the gravel driveway, nervously laughing at the bizarre scenario.
I heard a goat bleat, looked up and perhaps some 100 yards away saw one of our neighbours herding her flock onto the rough grass at the rear of our house. Figuring that she was Turkish and we were trying to get into a Turkish door, I called (a little desperately) for her help.
‘Merhaba! Merhaba! CAN YOU HELP?’.
She didn’t. I think she was more than a little alarmed by the two strangers shouting at her in a foreign language. One fiercely aggressive thug clearly trying to break into the house and the other an escaped lunatic with her face covered in blood.
Hoşgeldiniz!
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What a fabulous way with words 8) I am loving following your adventure x
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Chapter 10: 'Evim'
We've owned Villa Riana for just over 13 months now. I've lived here since 10th March 2014 and not yet returned to the UK. TA is here most of the time but has to keep popping back to the UK for business related matters.
Our two sons and our daughter have been over several times and every time they return to the UK, they arrange their next visit out here.
My Mum has spent a three month stretch over here and will be coming again very soon.
I also had the very dubious pleasure of playing hostess to seven 'lads' aged between 23 and 36, when my two sons brought out five of their friends to enjoy the World Cup. I have to say I enjoyed every moment of that week - very eventful and terrific fun!
Many friends have been over and I'm looking forward to my brother and his family staying with us in May. It's a great house to have people stay.
Of course it also very enjoyable showing people around the area and feeling huge pride when they love it!
But some of the best moments with friends and family have been small quiet ones. Sat on the upper terrace silently watching the sun go down behind the mountains and then washing the skies in incredible colours. Chins resting on arms on a boat rail as you slip over aquamarine waves and exchanging a soft smile that speaks of bliss. Walking in the forest area at the side of the house, coming to a clearing and watching the faces of your friends as they see their first wild tortoises.
Of course there have been some other moments too. Moments that have not always elicited a smile.
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Menthol, you and TA have done it all the right way and you are rewarded for it with your blissful new life. I love reading your blog. It has been the inspiration for my blog which I keep peeping at to see if my 'hit count' has increased. We'll be over in early June for 2 weeks - would love to meet up.
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I'm looking forward to reading about the "other" moments too!
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Yeah, the 'other moments' sound extra interesting. . .
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Ooh, I'd love to meet up too, Artymar!
I'm always a little wary of suggesting such a meeting to people coming over on holiday cos I realise how precious holiday time is but you tell me where and when and I'll be there! ;D
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I don't know why I missed seeing all of this but I have just spent a good half an hour on a boring very windy morning in Preesall reading it all. Thoroughly enjoyed it and yes looking forward to the other bits too.. It was a pleasure to meet you on the boat trip but we didn't get long to chat. Hope we will meet you again sometime... You are my type of woman. Yorkshire and a sense of humour that most people don't get.
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Aw, thank you Mercury.
I'm pretty sure we'll get to meet up again - you can join our coven!
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Menthol
Could I move this to the new member's blogs section?
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Yes of course, Scunner.
I was thinking the same but wasn't sure how to do it.
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Make it a condition that she writes an update. xx
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Mercury, not just an update, but ongoing updates!
Menthol, pm me your mobile number and when we're over, I'll be in touch - hopefully we can meet up.
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Ooh - bubble bubble toil and........ ;D
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. . .twubble! And we'll make more! I like the idea of a CBF coven! ;)
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We all know you have got nothing else to do all day, so get on with the story! ;D ;)
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. . .twubble! And we'll make more! I like the idea of a CBF coven! ;)
Witch one of you will be doing the stirring? : :) ;D
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Stirring things up a bit has always been my forte!
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recent coven gathering in Dalyan
(http://s30.postimg.org/hd4ntxv65/P1030335.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/hd4ntxv65/)
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Please ID those witches!
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L to R
Angela, Menthol, Wordbird !
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Glad it was a bottle of Coke in my hand and not wine.... :o : :) ;D
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Witch wine do you drink Wordbird.? You may know my ex mother-in-law, she's a test pilot in a broom factory. :)
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Usually whatever I'm given, Kevin!
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;)I think we're due an update here too please
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Don't think you will hear too much from Menthol for a wee while. I've just seen her in Kipa & she's stocking up for a deluge of visitors that are arriving in the next few days ;)
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Aaah yes, thought she'd been quiet - which is totally out of character! ;)
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Hello, Bluwise!
Liz is correct.
I already have my daughter, her friend and my Mum here and my brother and my two nephews land at 3am later tonight. Then my eldest son, his girlfriend and my son's friend also arrive on Monday.
I will get round to updating at some point. Have a million stories to tell! Just today, got back from shopping with my Mum and my super allergic daughter declares she has been stung by a bee in the pool and also 'seen a spider carrying a red button on its back across the terrace' ..... : :)
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This is the spider as she photographed it earlier today.
(http://s14.postimg.org/7oa6c20el/button_spider.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/7oa6c20el/)
It has been identified by friends on Facebook as:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eresus_cinnaberinus
My daughter has also survived the bee sting and wont require hospitalisation. As we have been to the Esnaf for 3 out of her last 4 visits, this is awesome news.
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Thank goodness she's alright!
Just read all the wiki blurb on the button-carrying spider - nothing about it being dangerous (phew) - That wouldn't stop me busting me gizzards to get away from it though.
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My 13 year old nephew who is due to land in the next few hours is quite the entomologist. He likes nothing better than lifting stones and poking round walls to see what he can discover.
Hopefully we are now rid of the kahverengi yılan (brown snake) that was living in the wall behind the honeysuckle creeper. Certainly not seen it for nearly a year now.
My 16 year old nephew on the other hand, holds the world in complete and utter disdain. I have challenged myself to be, just for him, The Most Embarrassing Auntie in The World during this week. :)
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I'm looking forward to hearing about that as I imagine you could be very good at it. ;D
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Sounds like a fun couple of weeks ahead! Nothing like family - enjoy! ;D
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I take my hat off to you - looking after them all!
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Glad your daughter is ok Menthol it rings a bell you saying about the Esnaf before when he got bitten R stung..
Wow I don't do spiders but that one looks pretty fascinating exactly as your daughter described carrying a red button on its back ;D
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As long as it's not a 'red back spider' such as we have in Oz: v dangerous, you would not want to be bitten by one :'(
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My nephew, Xavi is loving it.
So far he has adopted the tortoise that ambles outside our gate, called him Terry and feeds him strawberries.
He feeds our neighbour's goats with left over salad, veggie peelings and bread and it is quite the sight to see them come galloping from the top of the field down to our wall when they see him.
The red button spider lives in a hole between the terrace and the step and pops out to see us every now and again. Xavi has found innumerable creatures and particularly enjoyed chasing the cockroaches that were scuttling around the path next to the beach at Olu.
He loved the goriness of a blood splattered beheaded snake on the lane and has been enjoying lying in wait listening to the wild boar snuffle and tug up roots over our wall. They remain elusive to the eyes so far but a distinct piggy whiff caught our nostrils and caused much silent face pulling and gurning.
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You're living in a regular wild-life park - but it's the real thing! Not so keen on the snakes and spiders though :(
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Forget double parking. Turkey does triple parking. Sometimes it's even quadruple parking which blocks the traffic, especially outside bread shops at 5.30pm.
'No u-turns' sign at the lights? Hahahahahahaha.
No overtaking double lines on the downhill side of the main road from Ovacik to Fethiye? (Or 'The Road of Doom' as I call it) You really are 'aving a larf, guvnor!
How fast can you pack your shopping into the carrier bags at the supermarket checkout before the next person's shopping is rolled down it? NOT FAST ENOUGH!
'Do you have any *insert whatever*?' you ask in the shop. No reply. Shopkeeper looks at you. You ask again this time in strained Turkish. He says nothing. That's because he almost impercetibly moved his eyebrows half a milimetre upwards. This is the unspoken Turkish for 'Yok' (no). You missed it though and left the shop feeling invisible.
I have had to get out of my car nearly every day to move the tortoise that insists on sunbathing right outside the drive gate just as I want to drive somewhere.
I have also learnt to swear in the same tone and language my neighbour uses when she is herding her goats. This is usually to get the very same goats out of my garden and down from my olive trees. And I have given up trying to trail the wisteria down the outside of my wall as it is obviously the goat equivalent of crack.
I have also stopped being helpful and pretending I'm all rural like. Apparently the 2 baby goats bleating outside the closed fence gate, which is just at the end of my drive, and that I shushed into the paddock after opening the gate, were not in fact my neighbours goats. The chap who owned the goats was taking them and the rest of his herd for a walk but was having a nap under a tree on the lane round the corner. He accused my neighbour of trying to steal them. Apparently there has been a feud between these families for many years but relations were improving .....
This happened a several weeks past and I only found out about it 3 days ago. My continuing efforts to confess, apologise and make up for my yabanciness are pitiful and cringeworthy.
The pavements are not meant for pedestrians. They are for tea house tables and chairs, directly-planted-in-the-middle-of-the-path trees and lamp posts and scooters.
Tarpaulined markets in the heat. Not recommended. Tarpaulined markets in the rain. Not recommended. Attending at either time will get you wet.
Although sitting in a gozleme cafe on a very rainy Tuesday Market day and watching your fellow shoppers partake unwittingly in Turkish Roulette is rather entertaining. Will it be the woman with the black headscarf who gets totally drenched when the awning can no longer hold the rainwater? Or that imperious looking fellow in a suit and holding prayer beads?
Pollen. On the windows. On the terrace. On the table and chairs. On the surface of the pool. On the sea in the harbour forming a scum. On my car EVERY DAY.
Dust. See above.
Insects as large as a toddler's hand. Freaky as hell looking insects. Insects you can HEAR landing. Insects you can hear flying towards you from many meters away. Insects that bite and sting and keep you awake at night as you scratch your skin off.
I will counteract these moany observations in my next post. :)
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About blooming time too!!
Worth the wait - giggled out loud about the goats!
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Thanks, Menthol! I read your blog out loud to my OH whose hearing is not the best. All the people in the Angel loved it!
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Just seen! Just read! Brilliant! So pleased you finally chose Ovacik. Our 13th year part timers am sure you will enjoy all as we have and still do! Best wishes Menthol and TA ;D 8)
Alan & Pauline
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Thank you very much, Alan and Pauline.
We love it here so much. The views are to die for. :D
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Love your story Menthol and love hearing a success story of moving to Turkey, wishing you all the very best for your future lives there x
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Thank you, echogirl :)
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Insects as large as a toddler's hand. Freaky as hell looking insects. Insects you can HEAR landing. Insects you can hear flying towards you from many meters away. Insects that bite and sting and keep you awake at night as you scratch your skin off.
I will counteract these moany observations in my next post. :)
You'll need something pretty good to counteract this : :) !!
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Some of the many photographs we have taken around the Fethiye area. Just one of the ways I can express how much I love the place. (Please click on the photos to enlarge them).
Belcekiz Beach, Olu Deniz, January 2014
(http://s22.postimg.org/6iqiup3u5/IMG_0273.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6iqiup3u5/)
View from the house Jan 2014
(http://s18.postimg.org/ofjx3g4tx/IMG_0338.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ofjx3g4tx/)
Fethiye Bay Jan 2014
(http://s3.postimg.org/o6agvpuqn/IMG_0340.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/o6agvpuqn/)
Above Butterfly Valley, February 2014
(http://s23.postimg.org/ttbuw6zyf/IMG_0366.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ttbuw6zyf/)
The beach side of the lagoon, February 2014
(http://s9.postimg.org/kvou9tht7/IMG_0389.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/kvou9tht7/)
At the house March 2014
(http://s27.postimg.org/6ijbv5dz3/IMG_0399.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6ijbv5dz3/)
(http://s16.postimg.org/6foggyu1t/IMG_0406.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6foggyu1t/)
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Babadağ from the house March 2014
(http://s30.postimg.org/3x7v0wgy5/IMG_0419.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/3x7v0wgy5/)
Scunner the scorpion visited us at the house in March.
(http://s8.postimg.org/utvlvag35/IMG_0420.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/utvlvag35/)
The garden late March 2014, wild and unruly, just how I like it but the gardener came and neatened it all up later.
(http://s10.postimg.org/gqnreyx3p/IMG_0421.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/gqnreyx3p/)
(http://s21.postimg.org/cdz6s9ms3/IMG_0426.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/cdz6s9ms3/)
(http://s27.postimg.org/wjg0fi1vj/IMG_0428.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/wjg0fi1vj/)
(http://s14.postimg.org/ktkb0ldql/IMG_0430.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ktkb0ldql/)
(http://s23.postimg.org/78u9i3s7b/IMG_0438.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/78u9i3s7b/)
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Menthol......Great photos... Luv the house and views. How lucky are we!! See you in September.
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Great photos Menthol, chuckled at Scunner too! ;)
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Awesome views - great to see the place "out of season" too.
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I'm supposed to be clearing out another cupboard or sorting through 20 years of stuff from the grip of a shoe fetish but I fell upon this, and boy, how fabulous a way to be distracted. We will be moving to Turkey Later this year, hence the sorting and crying over 'so many shoes, not enough feet'. I really would like to bring the fabulous 6 inch stilettos I wore once in 2003 or the huge heels I wore for my wedding in 2012, anyway, I digress. Thank you for the wonderful words on you're journey so far, Menthol, very entertaining :)
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My pleasure, JaqDav. I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's always really surprising to hear people actually spent time reading the stuff I write.
And as a helpful tip - you don't need heels. Maybe one pair of 'dress up' shoes and the rest need to be as comfortable and easy to walk in as you can possibly manage. (Remember how uneven the pavements are/how hot it gets/how many times you have to take them off and put them on again).
I'm also fond of shoes, it has been said. This has now evolved into a love of the well padded flip-flop.
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Loved your posts Menthol, sorry we didn't meet up in June. Hope we do one day?
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Echogirl1, how about September? Menthol, Gillian and I will be there...
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Sounds like a plan echogirl ;)
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Garden April 2014
(http://s3.postimg.org/6e63iowun/IMG_0461.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6e63iowun/)
(http://s28.postimg.org/py1t6eh7d/IMG_0463.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/py1t6eh7d/)
After the storm April 2014
(http://s3.postimg.org/sh6bm5j67/IMG_0468.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/sh6bm5j67/)
(http://s27.postimg.org/8ow1eckr3/IMG_0473.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/8ow1eckr3/)
Emptying and cleaning the pool day April 2014
(http://s28.postimg.org/kmryit1g9/IMG_0474.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/kmryit1g9/)
(http://s28.postimg.org/j90bni26x/IMG_0478.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/j90bni26x/)
(http://s29.postimg.org/6nt054ekz/IMG_0483.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6nt054ekz/)
Summer's coming - or maybe not ... April 2014
(http://s27.postimg.org/delz2ybrj/IMG_0494.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/delz2ybrj/)
(http://s29.postimg.org/y4x2d8wyb/IMG_0500.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/y4x2d8wyb/)
(http://s2.postimg.org/3owg4avg5/IMG_0504.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/3owg4avg5/)
Nope, summer IS here! April 2014
(http://s30.postimg.org/cdjwe2t19/DSCF1104.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/cdjwe2t19/)
(http://s18.postimg.org/en95v4yp1/DSCF1158.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/en95v4yp1/)
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Jaqdav, I know exactly what you mean about shoes.....I had the most enormous collection in the UK!
The one pair I couldn't bear to leave behind were some stunning D&G heels that cost me a small fortune.....and no, I haven't worn them here yet!
I have pretty much lived in my Uggs and fluffy slippers (winter), Converse (autumn/spring) and flip flops (summer), plus walking boots. It's all you need! ;D
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The pool is a constant source of pleasure. Just looking at it glinting in all it's blue loveliness, then the jumping in to its welcome coolness on a scorching day. And then there's the kidding myself that swimming 30 'lengths' of it most days is the equivalent of training for the marathon. :D
We had it drained, acid cleaned and re-grouted last year and put in a new pump and lights. It has at various times been used mid morning right through to early hours of the morning. Family arriving at 4am at the house and jumping straight into the pool and watching the sunrise from there.
(http://s4.postimg.org/f2fc9v65l/IMG_0524.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/f2fc9v65l/)
(http://s28.postimg.org/82yszhv5l/IMG_0530.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/82yszhv5l/)
(http://s3.postimg.org/ozackqbhb/IMG_0534.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ozackqbhb/)
Late April 2014 - we had several rather impressive storms. Terribly difficult to catch the lightning on camera but we do have an excellent storm watching position and can see weather 'happening' to many areas of the Fethiye region before it gets to us or often misses us completely.
(http://s13.postimg.org/8tefmye9v/IMG_0599.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/8tefmye9v/)
(http://s15.postimg.org/n9cc53w3r/IMG_0602.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/n9cc53w3r/)
(http://s2.postimg.org/a79feporp/IMG_0632.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/a79feporp/)
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Magnificent views from your villa, Menthol! Can't wait to see them for real!
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Late April 2014 - finally we have some furniture delivered.
(http://s24.postimg.org/wbb3169w1/IMG_0651.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/wbb3169w1/)
(http://s3.postimg.org/56es5hvvj/IMG_0649.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/56es5hvvj/)
(http://s13.postimg.org/jjyuh0hc3/IMG_0521.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/jjyuh0hc3/)
The furniture delivery men left the driveway gate open when they left. Not too much of a problem generally speaking but I'd already had 'An Unfortunate Incident With A Goat In The Pool' and I wasn't keen to repeat it.
I didn't notice the open gate until later when it was dark. By this time I was in PJs, fleecy dressing gown and sporting a mud pack on my face but thought I'd better venture out and close it.
When I opened the door onto pitch black night and stepped out onto the driveway, I was struck by a very strong musky aroma. Before I had much chance to ruminate on this, I became aware of a large-tusked and bristly face to my left shadowed by another. And in the darkness I believe there was a third. As the wild boar, panicked by my presence seemed to be heading for the open house door, I also bolted back to the house, stumbling in slippered feet on crunchy gravel.
Door slammed shut, I walked back into my living room relieved that smelly boars had not had chance to rub their stinkiness on my new furnishings. I caught sight of myself in the wall mirror. I've decided to share the reflection with you.
(http://s24.postimg.org/gpbuhmlch/IMG_0653.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/gpbuhmlch/)
Good night all.
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No wonder they ran!! ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Ha-haha! - I wonder who was the most scared! Great pictorial series of events Menthol, keep it going. :D
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You know how the same image always pops into your head when someone's name is mentioned...........
;D ;)
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May 2014 heralded some stunningly clear weather. We can see for miles from the house and my particular obsession is glimpsing Rhodes on the southern horizon (on the left side of the rounded hill in the photograph below). I haven't seen it in months at the moment as the heat haze hides it from view but when it clears later in the year, I'll feel a special thrill for some reason when it appears as a blue shadow through the day and we can see the lights of Faliraki at night.
(http://s18.postimg.org/4gcq0bpgl/IMG_0720.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/4gcq0bpgl/)
TA's first dip in the pool of 2014.
DAY 1: Twenty minutes of 'umming and ahhing and walking round the pool, with two fag breaks. Teetering on the edge several times at various positions around the pool, staring at the water. When I finally said, 'For !***! sake, just jump in the bloody pool!', he sulked off into the house accusing me of bullying.
DAY 2: Twenty minutes of 'umming and ahhing and walking round the pool, with two fag breaks. Teetering on the edge several times, staring at the water. When I finally said, 'For !***! sake, just jump in the bloody pool!', he jumped in.
(http://s2.postimg.org/kfr8pti6d/IMG_0733.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/kfr8pti6d/)
(http://s16.postimg.org/9ukvlvq0x/IMG_0744.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/9ukvlvq0x/)
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We'd like to book the first 2 weeks of May please. ;) 8) ;D
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Looks lovely Menthol, not your mud pack face, I mean the pool!!
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mmm, your new furniture looks lovely and comfy, Menthol!
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We had some pretty fierce storms in June 2014 too
(http://s18.postimg.org/gihaxvoph/IMG_0764.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/gihaxvoph/)
(http://s28.postimg.org/ub120c5e1/IMG_0763.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ub120c5e1/)
But it all passes pretty quickly and the bright blue skies return and the lizards come out to sunbathe and the fruit tries to ripen. Fruit, I might add, that we never get to taste. We have cherry trees, fig trees, peach and plum trees. They all fruit bountifully and then the darn jays come and scoff the lot. The cherry trees are sporting stalks with stones still on them as the jays have pecked off all the flesh around the stone. We have tried many things to scare them off but no, I have yet to try printing off several copies of me in my face pack and hanging them in strategic places. Hmmm, perhaps ...
(http://s28.postimg.org/wrfbktpah/IMG_0775.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/wrfbktpah/)
(http://s12.postimg.org/rraiedhe1/IMG_0777.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/rraiedhe1/)
(http://s2.postimg.org/6982b1j91/IMG_0780.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6982b1j91/)
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The third week of June 2014 saw us being invaded. Seven lads arrived at the house for a week on the premise of 'going abroad to watch the World Cup'. My two sons and their five friends filled the house with smells, noise, mess and huge dollops of fun.
(http://s15.postimg.org/4er7xqs07/IMG_0786.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/4er7xqs07/)
(http://s11.postimg.org/lgs6jms33/IMG_0789.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/lgs6jms33/)