Setthorns Campsite, New Forest

Well here we are again Margery. Setthorns is the only new forest campsite open now. It's back to basics here though. No toilets or showers, so you can't book on to the site unless you have your own loo. Our reason for being here is not that we're some sort of crazy people who would rather sleep in a van in the woods as temperatures plummet, but because today is the day a kilo, or thereabouts, of new forest venison is purchased from a local butcher. Christmas may have begun in retail, but to us it doesn't begin until the venison is bought. Last night was very cold. Tonight slightly warmer. But we should be all cosy in Margery. Chilli con carne for dinner. Ginger wine, another Christmas tradition for Angela, and new teddy bear bedding should keep us well snuggly. This afternoon John discovered some large hedgehog mushrooms.

The carpeting of the surrounding ground by the large brown fallen leaves of the sweet chestnut trees makes it difficult to spot the mushrooms. We know they are out there somewhere. A week ago we were in Turkey wearing shorts and t-shirts. Today warm coats and hats. That aside, for us being away somewhere makes us happy. 

Footnote: The teddy bear bedding was a success, we were well warm.

Poole, Dorset

Well here we are, home again. What a week! It's flown by. Our transfer to the airport wasn't until 2 pm so this morning after packing our bags we walked along the seafront to the ancient city, and boy were we glad we did. Unlike our visit on our first full day it was a long quieter and we were able to take more photographs without people constantly photo bombing us.

A coffee and tea stop at a cafe over looking the harbour was to be our final treat. The waiter spoke very good English and it materialised he was married, his wife's a senior nurse at a hospital in Warrington. Seemed a strange marital arrangement they had, but hey ho. John mentioned to him we'd been snubbed by a member of staff at the shop adjacent to the cafe when we last visited the area. Upon discovering we were not German, the free samples of apple and pomegranate tea we'd been proffered were promptly withdrawn. We know. Unbelievable! So today we were to be honoured with free apple and pomegranate tea, and a large plate of very sickly Turkish delight, which of course we had to force ourselves to consume as much as possible. That'll teach us to complain! Sadly with no more time to soak up the rays of the late summer sun we strolled back to our hotel. Sun beds were being collected from the beach and poolside, bushes were undergoing a trim and the stall holders seem subdued. We were told the season would end in about ten days. Why? It's 75f and sunny here. As our transfer mini bus took us to the airport we realised the other passengers were the ones who accompanied us on that dark night when we were deposited outside the Hotel A Side. Laughing now, they agreed they wondered where we'd been left. But after talking with the couple behind us who'd stayed further down the coast at a five star all inclusive it seemed we'd got the better deal. A very nice breakfast buffet that also provided our lunch of cheese sandwiches, technically upgrading us to half board, and the fantastic China Corner restaurant which we are already missing. They complained their hotel was too large and too noisy. Just shows you perhaps sometimes it's best to consider a three star hotel with breakfast only. Antalya airport was busy. But we stayed calm and easily managed to find our way. Extra security was in place, and of course Angela was stopped. Thank God John had our bag of dirty washing. Search over, she wondered why she'd bothered to pack her bag so neatly. Our Jet 2 flight home to Bournemouth was busy. There were quite a few children on board and the three Turkish children two rows in front of us were noisy, the youngest cried for the whole of the four hour flight! Slightly annoying. Now we are home and already we have itchy feet. We caught sight of a holiday in Tunisia in the window of Tui in the town. Might be worth a look. The clock is ticking, we know it's never been more important to 'go for it'.

One of the cat houses, where local wild cats live very well provided for with food by the locals. 

Hotel A Side, Manavgat, Turkey (day 7)

Our last full day in Turkey today. The time has flown by. As planned we were collected from our hotel just after eight thirty this morning and after picking up at a few other hotels driven to the nearby city of Antalya. Of course once again we were the only English on the coach.  Three Americans kept their heads down, whilst the Germans jostled for seats, unhappy we'd secured two right at the front.

Before being deposited in the older part of the city we visited the lower Duden Waterfall, a spectacular display as the Duden river falls 130 feet over the clifftop and cascades into the Mediterranean sea below. Whilst the falls were lovely, the area surrounding was not as we expected. The construction of many new towering blocks of apartments didn't seem to fit with the beauty of the falls. A quick head count to check everyone was back on the coach and we drove into the city, the coach stopping near the old town where we were set down and left to explore for four hours.

A pretty harbour, interesting mosque and minaret, many gift shops, and numerous clothing and accessory shops engulfed us. Knock off is key here. The shops selling fake designer goods are everywhere.

Who buys this stuff! Well apparently many of our fellow travellers. We like a quiet life, and were pleased to stumble upon a little Bohemian cafe where we settled for a while whilst drinking our hot beverages and eating light moist honey, walnut, cinnamon cake.

The lady running the cafe was French, and she was pleased when Angela spoke French back to her. We've been lucky here with the language. As we are in a busy tourist area everyone speaks English. Thank God. Turkish is a really difficult language to grasp. So now we ready ourselves for a walk out for our last meal at China Corner.

No doubt as yesterday evening we will spend our time talking of future adventures. Which we did. Nearly all the couples in the restaurant were English. The atmosphere seemed a little subdued. It was the last night in Side for some of us. The giveaway, we all paid our bills in cash. We thanked the owner for providing us with delicious fresh food all week, and told him we'd forever have fond memories of our time in this corner of Turkey. All good things must come to an end, but new beginnings await us.

To the three boys hanging onto the bus at 30mph along the dual carriageway in Antalya, I only wish we could have told John's late father about seeing them, I'm sure he would have had an even better story about daredevil young lads in 1930's Liverpool!

Hotel A Side, Manavgat, Turkey (day 6)

We've become regulars at the excellent Chinese restaurant just down the road from our hotel. To the amazement of the other English the manager shakes our hand upon arrival and leaving, and yesterday asked if we'd be returning tomorrow.

It's low season here now. In fact the agent we booked today's trip with says it's winter, and cold. Cold with temperatures in the high eighties, that would explain the need for him to wear a jacket zipped to his neck.

Up early this morning, as promised a coach arrived at our pick up point for today's trip into the Taurus mountains to Green Canyon. The water's green because of the copper that washes down into it from the mountains. Enroute we spotted the well preserved remains of a Roman aquaduct. 

On the coach, us, three French, a couple of Russians, one a dead ringer for the actress Sue Pollard, and a lot of very serious Germans.

En route to the canyon at stop at the bridge by the dam for, and we quote the driver, ' a chance to take photographs and smoke a cigarette'. The smoking of cigarettes is rife here, God knows how our lungs are fairing. Before boarding our boat to tour the canyon, we were told not to forget our coach number was Nine. Of course we fell about laughing like children. Nein, nein fraulein. Actually the title of a song sung by Anne Shelton in 1926.

German jokes aside we set sail. With a chance to swim in the green waters of the canyon during the trip bags and cool bags were opened and we watched as lager and tots of spirits were consumed. Just the refreshment to consume before swimming. However as the boat slowly drifted between the limestone mountains that guarded the canyon a cool wind blee, and despite being fuelled with bravado only four people braved the water after our guide informed us it's temperature was just 15 c.

A precarious drive back down the mountain to another lake where a lunch of either fish or chicken, rice, pasta, salad and bread awaited us. And very nice it was as well. We really enjoyed today. Driving out away from the beach and seeing more of the 'real' Turkey. Tomorrow we have a trip booked to the city of  Antalya, that's if the driver remembers to pick us up. And we must remember on the coach to sit only in the seat we chose when you getting on. On today's trip our efficient European neighbours were very unhappy that some people changed seats for the return journey. Honestly. What did it matter? A whole lot to some apparently.

Hotel A Side, Manavgat, Turkey (day 5)

Today didn't go to plan. We were up early, tired from the shenanigans of our new neighbour, who coughed all night, repeatedly opened and closed the sliding door onto his balcony and shouted into his mobile phone in the early hours. Enough was enough. We messaged our holiday rep and request we be given a room in a quieter area of the hotel. After much messaging John decided to talk to a member of the hotel reception who was more than happy to move us to a larger room overlooking the terrace and swimming pool.

 Here's hoping we're in for a more peaceful night going forward. Nine ten was our pick up slot for our excursion. Ready at nine we waited, and waited. Nobody came to collect us. Great. It was obviously going to be one of those days. Long story short, we will be refunded for the trip that never happened. Let's hope Tuesday's excursion runs smoother. With the heat building, the afternoon temperature nudging 35c, we walked along the seafront to explore the other end of the promenade.

Hotel after hotel towered over us. The beaches untidy with the bodies of sun worshippers yet again squeezed into ill fitting beach wear. Some giving up on it and deciding to go for a more natural look. Amongst the seasoned sunbathers, new arrivals, slowing turning from pale to pink to full on lobster red by this evening! Before walking out we booked a trip for tomorrow with one of the many agents selling excursions. The man promised we'd be collected in the morning and suggest we come up to him at just after half past eight to board the coach. Here's hoping all will work out, especially as we've paid him in advance!