Hotel A Side, Manavgat, Turkey (day 3)

Superb meal out last night at the nearby Chinese restaurant. Of course we're returning there again this evening!

Once again this morning we made a complaint at reception about the noise from the room next to us, only to be given the joyful news that the couple checked out at 2 am to catch an early flight. Thank God.

(In the Side language, "Side" means "pomegranate." The pomegranate has always been depicted as the city's symbol and emblem on coins and monuments throughout various periods.) 

(Marble Balustrade Panel with Ixion's Punishment. In Greek mythology, Ixion was king of the Lapiths. After his marriage he did not pay the bride's price, so his father-in-law stole some of Ixion's horses in retaliation. Ixion concealed his resentment and invited his father-in-law to a feast where he murdered him. Everyone refused to perform the rituals that would cleanse Ixion of his guilt (catharsis), however, Zeus had pity on Ixion and brought him to Olympus and introduced him at the table of the gods. There, Ixion grew lustful for Hera. Zeus found out about his intentions and made a cloud in the shape of Hera, and tricked Ixion into coupling with it. From the union of Ixion and the false-Hera cloud came the race of Centaurs. Ixion himself was blasted with a thunderbolt and thrown from Olympus. Zeus ordered Hermes to bind Ixion to a winged fiery wheel that was always spinning; only when Orpheus played his lyre did it stop for a while. Later, he was transferred to Tartarus.) 

(The frieze blocks featuring Medusa were used in the Corinthian-style temple built for Apollo, one of the main gods of the city, in the 2nd century AD. Similar blocks can still be seen in their original positions in the partially restored temple structure today. Medusa, believed to turn people to stone with her gaze, is a mythological figure sometimes used as a protective element in temple and tomb structures.) 

With more to see over in Side old town we headed back to the ancient city to visit Side museum which is located in a well preserved Roman bathhouse opposite the imposing amphitheatre built in 9,000 AD.

Sadly the amphitheatre is closed to visitors as it is undergoing an extensive renovation. The museum however was both interesting and amazing and we spent quite a while there before we were sucked into the throngs of Germans who seem to dominate here.

All the restaurant staff and stall holders touting for business just assume we are sausage eating and beer drinking Europeans. Having been in Side now for a few days we are ready to venture a little further out, so we've booked a couple of excursions, one includes lunch out. Hopefully there won't be a sausage in sight!

Hotel A Side, Manavgat, Turkey (day 2)

The high light of yesterday's flight to Turkey was the spectacular view of the alps as we flew over them. It was amazing!  Today our first 'proper day' in Turkey meant we needed to walk out locally, source a supermarket, meet our travel rep, and complain about the very noisy couple in the room next to us who we have to suffer for another night until we can be moved to another room.

A long walk out took us along the seafront to the old town. We were surprised at just how busy it was.

Melting into the crowd we made our way to the site of the ancient Roman ruins which bizarely sat amongst modern day shops and flats. There was lots for us to see, but as the heat of the day built we began to flag a little deciding to return tomorrow to continue exploring. Why did we decide to visit Turkey you may ask. Purely because it is one of the destinations we can fly to from our local airport and we fancied some warm sunny weather. Oh, and they do nice kebabs here! 

Hotel A Side, Manavgat, Turkey

We're on our travels again. Margery isn't with us, but we've plans to take her somewhere soon.

An early start this morning, and as always with an early drive to the airport we didn't sleep well last night.

So this evening we're whacked, and even though it's only eight forty five in the evening at home, to us it feels later, which of course it is here, three hours later.

So here we are in Turkey, it's very warm, which of course is why we're here. After our shuttle bus dropped us in the dark at our hotel, our hearts sank. Where had we booked? The faces of our fellow travellers didn't reassure us. But no worries, once inside we were happy, it is a very nice hotel.

A walk into town this evening for some food and we soon felt settled. After hopefully a good night's sleep we are very much looking to walking out and exploring the area tomorrow.

Poole, Dorset

We couldn't go home without stopping for another walk out and more coffee and cake. So we took the short drive from our campsite down the coast to Hengisbury Head.

Autumn has well and truly established itself now, and as we walked among the trees the leaves of fiery orange, reds and purple looked beautiful. Sadly though our walk over, it was time to return home. Time to plan another holiday we think!

Setthorns Campsite New Forest. (Day 4)

Our few days staying in the new forest are flying by. Today we once again walked to Brockenhurst. We love the village, and never tire of it.  We also love the scones baked fresh every morning in one of the tea rooms.

(Last time stayed at Holland's Wood was in our Landy Muddy Marge)

(The same spot today with the campsite shut)

And another pastime we love, is walking around the closed Holland's Wood campsite. It's very tranquil, and with many grey squirrels for company, we gathered mushrooms, whilst they gathered acorns. Everyone was happy.

(Orange Oak Boletes, slightly toxic so cook well!)

Especially John who left with quite a haul. As we made our way out of the village we stopped at the wilting brambles to pick the very last of the blackberries before walking back along the disused railway line back to Margery, stopping once for Angela to dive into the bushes, scrutinised by a judgemental cow who paused from eating fallen acorns to check she abided by the countryside code with regard to relieving oneself in the wild.

This evening as the sun sat on the horizon the sky was ablaze with colours of red, orange and purple. What a stunning sunset. If the weather holds, and it doesn't become too cold, we hope to return to the Setthorns campsite for a few days in November. Walking is beneficial to your mental health, it allows you to process the junk in your head. With so much going on in our lives at the moment we think some processing will probably be in order again soon.

Steps: 27,500