tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34538335699078926042024-03-13T14:29:39.985+00:00 Is Anyone There?
My thoughts on family and life!Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.comBlogger222125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-71636843660137762362022-10-15T16:39:00.000+01:002022-10-15T16:39:05.573+01:00Turkey Diaries 2022, - returning to the places we love<p> I looked at my blog to remind myself when I last published at post. I was amazed that it was a New Year post in January 2021.</p><p>In that post I'm wishing for the best to happen in the year, for vaccines to work and Covid to disappear. </p><p>One year and ten months later and everything now feels relatively normal except, covid is still around.</p><p>Despite my health problems or maybe because of them I haven't had covid yet. There's still time though no doubt.</p><p>I was shielding even when shielding wasn't deemed necessary by the government. I was careful everywhere I went. I didn't return to my zumba class when it restarted and when I eventually tried I took home an wanted chest infection with me. The class holds 60 people and I felt we were all so close together it was unsafe for me with covid,flu bugs etc.</p><p>On a brighter note,I'm so happy we can now see our families,especially grandchildren without restrictions. Life feels nearly normal.</p><p>"So?" I hear you ask, what has made me return to my blog? I haven't stopped writing, my book review blog has still been there as usual during the past few years as I have read more than ever. The reason is that after three long years my husband and I are going back to Turkey, yeah ! </p><p>We have treated ourselves to four weeks this year. I hasten to add that we booked it a year ago before this scary energy crisis kicked off. </p><p>We will be staying in three of our favourite resorts.The first is Dalyan where we have stayed five times in the past.</p><p>Before we left and mainly because of soaring energy bills I emptied and defrosted the fridge freezer and switched it off along with everything else so nothing is even on standby. I hope that means that September's bill will be £0.00.</p><p>Our flight with Jet2 left 15mins late which I thought was good compared with the horror stories I've read about flights being delayed for hours and departures cancelled. </p><p>A funny moment happened when the Captain spoke to us once everyone had boarded. He said that air traffic control were experiencing a lot of traffic over Europe so the flight would be delayed for 40mins. He said he would turn off the seat belt and toilet light sign so we were free to use the toilet and move about the cabin. Immediately at least 12 people lined up to use the toilet (mostly men). We had been on the aircraft about 10 mins at the most and it hadn't taken us long to get on as it all went so smoothly. Why do all those people need to go already? The mother in me was saying, "Why didn't you go before you came on the plane?" I went twice and both toilet accommodations were empty.</p><p>Another 5 minutes passed and the Captain spoke again, this time to say that a space had cleared for us and we could leave in 5 mins. Seat belt sign on and the hostess instructed the toilet queue to return to their seats, probably having to cross their legs until the light went off again. You should have went BEFORE you boarded!!!</p><p>It took my body and mind a while to get used to the cramped conditions again. I had my kindle with lots of books on it. I had audio books and had downloaded a film. I couldn't read,I couldn't listen and I couldn't even close my eyes to get some sleep. How did I ever manage this?</p><p>Our nearly five hour flight left at 4pm and as we flew over Europe the bright blue sunny skies changed slowly to dark blue to grey then black. Turkey is 2 hrs ahead of the UK so by the time we arrived it was 10.30pm. Our taxi driver was waiting for us with our name written on a card. He took our photo in the car with us holding the name card. It's just like at home when Amazon or Evri take a photo of your parcel on your doorstep he too had to prove he had picked up the right parcel, only this time we were the parcel.</p><p>We always book the same company, Dalaman Cars and they send a car the size of a people carrier with blacked out windows. Inside there is a TV, wi fi and a fridge with bottles of water. There are also lights around the inside of the roof. It can seat about six people so it's lovely to sit in after a cramped plane. The driver was pleasant and this would be the only normal, safe driving we would experience until we were picked up by the same company to go to our second destination.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YsNNZXAsHhyaTGcw5oV8Y6iVbf2lfc6FZgx3URFmgg44vkvxzz36hZHSRuHTLoQXmXQYz55UDCXE9vyw4Z7iNKwTqXU1qW8lf4UNQCV0lqcSgU9mxp8qogprPzObeBGbw5DnoRMHcl08ZqRzIcUrrnQ3oPSYvvDXr3R-hPdaRLGnOX-gpCyURTk2/s4160/IMG_20220916_124823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YsNNZXAsHhyaTGcw5oV8Y6iVbf2lfc6FZgx3URFmgg44vkvxzz36hZHSRuHTLoQXmXQYz55UDCXE9vyw4Z7iNKwTqXU1qW8lf4UNQCV0lqcSgU9mxp8qogprPzObeBGbw5DnoRMHcl08ZqRzIcUrrnQ3oPSYvvDXr3R-hPdaRLGnOX-gpCyURTk2/s320/IMG_20220916_124823.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIaLTFwfIpJgC8tm429JFpVMnF-Iq-tG3lahYGvJC-xtNdyJ5Kxgog1hc5WmvKHVYsKS7HG-zjt_QE-E6PY-KzeeoY2AUGCCyi2lhKLtv3O8IXLo_sEDYctUxg7aF-NT9JLb7aNYPFD_w64gjAADvgY4mmPOKL1pf2F6qSfNDa2GEzIeUIbuZTmtP/s4160/IMG_20220916_124828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIaLTFwfIpJgC8tm429JFpVMnF-Iq-tG3lahYGvJC-xtNdyJ5Kxgog1hc5WmvKHVYsKS7HG-zjt_QE-E6PY-KzeeoY2AUGCCyi2lhKLtv3O8IXLo_sEDYctUxg7aF-NT9JLb7aNYPFD_w64gjAADvgY4mmPOKL1pf2F6qSfNDa2GEzIeUIbuZTmtP/s320/IMG_20220916_124828.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The first glimpse of Dalyan is in the pitch black darkness of the night. We are staying at a small pension with only eight rooms but it has a pool and a pool bar and that's all we need. We were greeted by the owner and her son and shown to our ground floor apartment. We are worn out, tired and needed a good sleep. The delights of Dalyan and Turkey will still be here in the morning. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZcQJn3WwJ8ogpiq2g8b_9B4l_VPPqlVkEFiCglOb947-o5QDJZnI-wHbgPjaw-Y5arqD1VxOmoekeIKC_fPbQur9uHatqyEfTmaqArM9vR5Ny-8KMBqvo1K2ujT7nvufkLMhotwK7uneRP7MncnlwY12Pa9x-skNzXALK0lCt4Rsh8KeBLyUoiiR/s4160/IMG_20220906_153613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZcQJn3WwJ8ogpiq2g8b_9B4l_VPPqlVkEFiCglOb947-o5QDJZnI-wHbgPjaw-Y5arqD1VxOmoekeIKC_fPbQur9uHatqyEfTmaqArM9vR5Ny-8KMBqvo1K2ujT7nvufkLMhotwK7uneRP7MncnlwY12Pa9x-skNzXALK0lCt4Rsh8KeBLyUoiiR/s320/IMG_20220906_153613.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7-40-sOxY571dPX9VXe7a8xCMey5mNRgtXPilE3TSbR8SFD_Wa5fczSysmYIHGHkiKcCPs_WBdbO2aN7LqkTrhD29swFmnRyU1HTMeV63N8TDzvTzZ6wXuRWyoceoQeIljAKykV8Bu13Ld04517VFtfwLiYNftySkBuohPIW9NpGd4o5t4TmBI98/s4160/IMG_20220906_153703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7-40-sOxY571dPX9VXe7a8xCMey5mNRgtXPilE3TSbR8SFD_Wa5fczSysmYIHGHkiKcCPs_WBdbO2aN7LqkTrhD29swFmnRyU1HTMeV63N8TDzvTzZ6wXuRWyoceoQeIljAKykV8Bu13Ld04517VFtfwLiYNftySkBuohPIW9NpGd4o5t4TmBI98/s320/IMG_20220906_153703.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-41089975200979458122021-01-01T17:12:00.001+00:002021-01-01T17:12:56.182+00:002021 And Still in my Bubble.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ccAQeFr4tog/UVWwQxmAPhI/AAAAAAAADD4/_FhFoSp_n-swdDjb3JHFsBJxdO17aE4HQCPcBGAYYCw/s219/computer%2B2.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="202" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ccAQeFr4tog/UVWwQxmAPhI/AAAAAAAADD4/_FhFoSp_n-swdDjb3JHFsBJxdO17aE4HQCPcBGAYYCw/s0/computer%2B2.gif" /></a></div><br /><p> Happy New Year everyone. It's hard to believe that we have left 2020 behind us. I suppose not quite, as for a while 2021 will be much of the same except of course we now have a vaccine. I really hope we don't have problems in running out of the vaccine before we get our second doses or even our first.</p><div style="text-align: left;">Because of my health I think I'm being vaccinated with the over 70's but we shall wait and see. </div><div style="text-align: left;">My last blogpost was way back in April and never in my dreams did I think we'd still be fighting this virus. But here we are and we have to deal with it. I haven't been out to shops etc since March, I've only been out for short walks or drives in the car but because of the weather that has stopped too.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I was grateful during the summer to have my garden even if it is small it was someplace to get some fresh air and enjoy the sun,lots of people don't even have that. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I miss so many things that I took for granted. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Having my grandchildren sleep over.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Coffee with friends</div><div style="text-align: left;">My dance class</div><div style="text-align: left;">Going out for a drive into the countryside with hubby and have lunch somewhere.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Musical theatre shows </div><div style="text-align: left;">Going to the supermarket and choosing my own food</div><div style="text-align: left;">Having my son and daughter and families in my home</div><div style="text-align: left;">Going on holiday</div><div style="text-align: left;">And many more. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm sure everyone feels the same. Many many people have had it far worse than just missing normal things. People are grieving for family who have passed this year who will never get to do these things again. My heart goes out to them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My update from my previous post is ....I didn't carry on with the knitting ,I find it boring. I did sew some masks and I made bedding and pillows for a doll's bed and put the sewing machine away.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h9qbkYa8DWk/VONbCx3wwPI/AAAAAAAAE0k/07ODjL8T0DME2SfOw0cXrcfZpXLl_26jACPcBGAYYCw/s174/sewing%2Bmachine.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="147" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h9qbkYa8DWk/VONbCx3wwPI/AAAAAAAAE0k/07ODjL8T0DME2SfOw0cXrcfZpXLl_26jACPcBGAYYCw/s0/sewing%2Bmachine.gif" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>So what has kept me going through this year of not going out? </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I read 110 books and you can find the best of these books on my book blog <a href="http://bookswithwineandchocolate.blogspot.com/2020/12/my-best-books-of-2020.html">Here</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bgS5BjX3aUk/UWad8f4UiiI/AAAAAAAAC3I/vSZQfltrlIQ-ZGA7Xr0APNYHQ_XsD0JPACPcBGAYYCw/s82/books.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="82" data-original-width="82" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bgS5BjX3aUk/UWad8f4UiiI/AAAAAAAAC3I/vSZQfltrlIQ-ZGA7Xr0APNYHQ_XsD0JPACPcBGAYYCw/s0/books.gif" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I started doing something that I have always wanted to do. I started drawing and painting. I watched teaching videos and learned a few things. I bought paints and pencils. So far I have drawn,used colored pencils, water colors and acrylics . And I just love it all.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I remember in secondary school art class looking at what everyone else could draw or paint and just wanting to be excused from class, I just couldn't do it. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I haven't managed to draw much from my imagination but I have copied drawings and paintings. I have painted from photos too which is harder. I hope if I keep practicing I'll get much better.</div><div style="text-align: left;">If I feel brave I will post a few at the end. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cm17X9mKMXE/X-9N6VwKrCI/AAAAAAAAQFk/DDvSSFo03iMFG4fxPQ4k4I0yIMJ8BygDACLcBGAsYHQ/s382/56C7E333-9492-4A49-9040-EC1C73709E80.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="308" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cm17X9mKMXE/X-9N6VwKrCI/AAAAAAAAQFk/DDvSSFo03iMFG4fxPQ4k4I0yIMJ8BygDACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/56C7E333-9492-4A49-9040-EC1C73709E80.jpeg" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My husband ( I better mention him) married 43 yrs this year. I thought if we were together 24/7 we'd probably kill each other 😂 but everything has gone well so no murders here. We have been tolerant of what each other wanted to do with the time... actually he has put up with my paints and paper and taking over the kitchen table. He has went for the occasional shop by himself and collects our prescriptions. </div><div style="text-align: left;">He has walked with me really slowly so I could have fresh air and I couldn't be without him.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pDBr11ONvx0/X-9Pgs-wq4I/AAAAAAAAQFw/La5H5VduKRguWeH4ZTu_nrg2oMPCsgQYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s308/BD0F83D2-8227-4A03-9E19-4D151282FA5B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="308" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pDBr11ONvx0/X-9Pgs-wq4I/AAAAAAAAQFw/La5H5VduKRguWeH4ZTu_nrg2oMPCsgQYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/BD0F83D2-8227-4A03-9E19-4D151282FA5B.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My friend who I text or she texts me everyday, multiple times a day. We have moaned and laughed and decided we could do much better at writing scripts for the soaps than the paid scriptwriters. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I think we have kept each other's spirits up during the year. We 've seen each other only once briefly since March. I look forward to the days when we can go back to our coffees, dance classes and theatre shows.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks Carol. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dQbE1VqNwPc/UdMZH5FhAPI/AAAAAAAADQA/z7F0WOs5U58r1blx-1FZPphJ_htxMvwKQCPcBGAYYCw/s326/women%2Btalking.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="326" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dQbE1VqNwPc/UdMZH5FhAPI/AAAAAAAADQA/z7F0WOs5U58r1blx-1FZPphJ_htxMvwKQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/women%2Btalking.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And what would we do without Netflix ? I've watched many good series this year . My favorites are </div><div style="text-align: left;">Chesapeake Shores, The Crown, Sweet Magnolias, Good Witch, Virgin River, Home For Christmas and Dolly Parton's Heartstrings.</div><div style="text-align: left;">These have passed my time this year and I've enjoyed them all. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChrYthH7rCc/UWPvbzY3_QI/AAAAAAAACz8/9ywXMQ7EgwIUhHftg6PNsY8hQpLYIfCxgCPcBGAYYCw/s207/unique%2B5.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="207" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChrYthH7rCc/UWPvbzY3_QI/AAAAAAAACz8/9ywXMQ7EgwIUhHftg6PNsY8hQpLYIfCxgCPcBGAYYCw/s0/unique%2B5.gif" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm hoping that by Easter we will be over the worst of the virus. I will have had the vaccine and we can start to lead a more normal life.</div><div style="text-align: left;">My five grandchildren are all one year older, birthdays celebrated without me. The youngest has learned to walk,run and climb. The second youngest who was learning to talk when I last saw her could now talk for Scotland. And the other three have grown taller and matured. My sons three girls live out with our local authority and this year I have only seen them twice. Once in the summer and second time on Christmas Day when restrictions were lifted for one day. We only stayed long enough for them to open their gifts but to see them again was wonderful. </div><div style="text-align: left;">My daughter's two children live nearby so we have been able to see them more often. </div><div style="text-align: left;">All grandmothers will feel as I do. Some who's grandchildren are even further away won't have seen them at all this year apart from video calls. The pain in your heart is real and so is the longing to spend time with them and have a hug.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5vSP1waYkz0/X-9CxYKSDdI/AAAAAAAAQFY/t1G4okTOZugU73h92QUjmQNZyPc8og84wCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/87A5C451-B377-476C-BC3C-95BF52CB4B4D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5vSP1waYkz0/X-9CxYKSDdI/AAAAAAAAQFY/t1G4okTOZugU73h92QUjmQNZyPc8og84wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/87A5C451-B377-476C-BC3C-95BF52CB4B4D.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Everyone has nearly been in the same boat. Some have had to work in fear of getting the virus but they have worked anyway. Some have been unable to work through no fault of their own and been furloughed. They have had to live with less money than usual and it's not been easy. Some people don't believe there is a virus or it is just a flu. Tell that to Kate Garraway from breakfast TV, her husband is still in a coma, or to the many people suffering from long covid, a friend of my husband is among them. </div><div style="text-align: left;">If we could all and I mean all, old people, middle age people, young people and teens, if we could all just batten down the hatches for a while and be sensible while the vaccine takes its course then we could be free to do whatever we please in a few months. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I wish you all a healthy 2021. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A few of my paintings ( I'm feeling brave ) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkeeOavZzNw/X-9ULLpk-DI/AAAAAAAAQGs/DWN6ABDX1v03dZAqQdbW3XZQka2LzokbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/176E3E31-AC95-4C1C-99FF-AE0CB53DFC00.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkeeOavZzNw/X-9ULLpk-DI/AAAAAAAAQGs/DWN6ABDX1v03dZAqQdbW3XZQka2LzokbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/176E3E31-AC95-4C1C-99FF-AE0CB53DFC00.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7nbtFpTNf8/X-9Tg6mqvZI/AAAAAAAAQGM/v4Iky6tbwlkF1vOzegGEhzrqnd1zF8Y9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DF21DB40-592C-4BE7-9B29-8696D1575027.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7nbtFpTNf8/X-9Tg6mqvZI/AAAAAAAAQGM/v4Iky6tbwlkF1vOzegGEhzrqnd1zF8Y9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DF21DB40-592C-4BE7-9B29-8696D1575027.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vYNDtLSDS08/X-9UAimhajI/AAAAAAAAQGg/76y04s_1P-cGB1WsYWuIB_VNP9X0UnOGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1E40EB24-7CAF-4103-A02B-13DF53C1DBC9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vYNDtLSDS08/X-9UAimhajI/AAAAAAAAQGg/76y04s_1P-cGB1WsYWuIB_VNP9X0UnOGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/1E40EB24-7CAF-4103-A02B-13DF53C1DBC9.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s1-Nckwn-20/X-9UAzD2M8I/AAAAAAAAQGk/v-oltYNjydwUOhlWGxlkVOuw0RQGvThkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6F4798EF-C41E-49B6-B47B-0A0210008F08.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s1-Nckwn-20/X-9UAzD2M8I/AAAAAAAAQGk/v-oltYNjydwUOhlWGxlkVOuw0RQGvThkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/6F4798EF-C41E-49B6-B47B-0A0210008F08.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYrIhPZzsp4/X-9UBPluoZI/AAAAAAAAQGo/vSxKz582NFISd8eB5iuHajiibQPH5uJgACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/EADA4D6A-DA84-43F2-A21D-3CBAF25BC07E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYrIhPZzsp4/X-9UBPluoZI/AAAAAAAAQGo/vSxKz582NFISd8eB5iuHajiibQPH5uJgACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/EADA4D6A-DA84-43F2-A21D-3CBAF25BC07E.jpeg" /></a></div><br />Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-17340904909798110542020-04-24T12:37:00.000+01:002020-04-24T12:37:04.991+01:00My Lockdown Bubble<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1a8SlSbVT8o/UVgV-dHIDrI/AAAAAAAACr0/KucP6TEaaKUPeznuimJc_h-1zCwLidiYQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/chosen%2Bto%2Blive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="403" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1a8SlSbVT8o/UVgV-dHIDrI/AAAAAAAACr0/KucP6TEaaKUPeznuimJc_h-1zCwLidiYQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/chosen%2Bto%2Blive.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
I feel like I've been living in an invisible bubble, with my front door and the end of the garden being the outer edges of the bubble. I can't pass through it I have to stay within it.</h2>
<h2>
It's been six weeks since I entered this bubble and on hearing last night on the news that things may not return to normal until after Christmas I felt like bursting it and escaping.</h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<h2>
I have a fear of confined spaces. My worst nightmare would be to go exploring inside caves and have to lie on my belly crawling through tunnels with about an inch of roof above me. The very thought makes me shudder. Fortunately I have never had to endure anything like that, but last night I felt the walls were closing in on me. The feeling didn't last long as luckily the clock showed me it was 8pm and as it was Thursday I went to my front door to clap for the NHS and all the frontline workers. Some of my neighbours were out. I haven't seen any out in previous weeks so this made it so different. I felt really emotional and given how I felt before I shed some tears. I felt a lot better after that and watched my Netflix series to send my mind off somewhere else.</h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<h2>
As I said in a previous post I am lucky I only have to look after myself and my husband. I'm not a front line worker nor to I have young children to take care of but lockdown affects different people in different ways.</h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<h2>
If I was on Desert Island Discs tomorrow I would now have a good idea of what I would take with me. I now know what it takes to get me through the day but I'm not sure there would be wi fi on an island.</h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<h2>
I know what I wouldn't need as I look at the many, many handbags I have in my wardrobe with no place to go. </h2>
<h2>
The rings, earrings, watches and necklaces lying in a dish, unemployed.</h2>
<h2>
The lipstick, foundation, blusher, mascara are in the make up bag with no face to paint.</h2>
<h2>
Nice clothes are hanging in the wardrobe or folded in drawers, redundant, as I spend my days in sports trousers, leggings and shorts.</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bgS5BjX3aUk/UWad8f4UiiI/AAAAAAAAC3I/vSZQfltrlIQ-ZGA7Xr0APNYHQ_XsD0JPACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/books.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<h2>
Our car sits at the front door, neglected. It hasn't been out for six weeks either.</h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></span>
<h2>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bgS5BjX3aUk/UWad8f4UiiI/AAAAAAAAC3I/vSZQfltrlIQ-ZGA7Xr0APNYHQ_XsD0JPACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/books.gif" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="82" data-original-width="82" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bgS5BjX3aUk/UWad8f4UiiI/AAAAAAAAC3I/vSZQfltrlIQ-ZGA7Xr0APNYHQ_XsD0JPACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/books.gif" /></a>My books, kindle, craft activities and my ipad are what I've used the most and I couldn't be without any of them, especially social media. It's amazing how everyone has pulled together from celebrities to our local council. We have videos online from them showing us how to do just about everything, cookery, arts and crafts, exercises, dance and even how to make face masks.</h2>
<h2>
A big thank you to everyone who has contributed to this especially the dance teachers from my oldies dance class, Lesley and Niamh. Our class is so happy they're doing this online for us.</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V1m1HeH_qjk/UW6D64oJujI/AAAAAAAAC9M/LLi31le-Lyo0DVwo1phL2t76mfsdjnijgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/dancing%2B8.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="113" data-original-width="110" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V1m1HeH_qjk/UW6D64oJujI/AAAAAAAAC9M/LLi31le-Lyo0DVwo1phL2t76mfsdjnijgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/dancing%2B8.gif" width="194" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<h2>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BbdWkTzrlbs/T2DZ3VdEt3I/AAAAAAAAAQc/jXOBkuT380gC8AMcE4JVEypNGG7k5UhggCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Well that ended on a happy note and I feel good today. Hubby is pressure hosing the back garden, the slabs, the deck, the bins. I'm glad I'm inside looking out as I might be next if I stand still long enough.</h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BbdWkTzrlbs/T2DZ3VdEt3I/AAAAAAAAAQc/jXOBkuT380gC8AMcE4JVEypNGG7k5UhggCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="203" data-original-width="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BbdWkTzrlbs/T2DZ3VdEt3I/AAAAAAAAAQc/jXOBkuT380gC8AMcE4JVEypNGG7k5UhggCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/beach.jpg" /></a></div>
<h2>
Oh, wine.....I forgot about wine for the desert Island!</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UuoGdeR35A/UZTIDyTKhXI/AAAAAAAADCs/3DCv652yXZc48uZTl1TSNv-GFd77Z2RfACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/wine.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="133" data-original-width="142" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UuoGdeR35A/UZTIDyTKhXI/AAAAAAAADCs/3DCv652yXZc48uZTl1TSNv-GFd77Z2RfACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/wine.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-21071704490020145712020-04-11T14:23:00.000+01:002020-04-24T11:02:29.087+01:00Housebound.....4wks in....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJ1be8y7_10/UTiim1aQLVI/AAAAAAAACew/b0QBFNIHCl4GyC8B1phJg9v8F9fsHEjCwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/energy%2Bbar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="425" height="178" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJ1be8y7_10/UTiim1aQLVI/AAAAAAAACew/b0QBFNIHCl4GyC8B1phJg9v8F9fsHEjCwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/energy%2Bbar.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've stayed indoors now for 4wks and three days. All over the UK and the world there's other people doing the same. That doesn't make it any easier but the number of people who are in hospital or who haven't made it do make you count your blessings.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I wonder if it would be easier if I had children at home to keep me busy? The mums are now shouting,"No it would be easier without children." </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Children make you smile, make you laugh. Yes, they also can also make you tired and frustrated and....want to pull your hair out.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> But I'd love to have some noise and laughter in my house right now.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't yet done any of the things I said I would do in my last blog. I did manage to knit a dress for a Barbie doll but I don't think knitting calms me, it frustrates me a little. I do feel I should be doing something constructive with all this time but everything makes me tired especially reading which I love.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you're on Facebook go to Marian Keyes (author) page and she has written about not having to be a superwoman and learn Japanese because everyone is feeling tired and rundown and fearful.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Reading that did make me feel better about doing nothing.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I thought about other things I haven't done over the last five weeks.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't worn any kind of make up although I have moisturised.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't worn perfume,only deodorant.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't drank any wine. (unusual)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't worn a bra except for exercise classes. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't had my haircut. I cancelled appointment the week I went into lockdown, so it needed done then.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't worn jeans or a dress,only sports trousers and ones with an elasticated waist. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't cuddled my grandchildren.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I expect lots of people (is anyone there?) will be saying the same thing. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">One bright light in my world is that my oldest granddaughter who is eight has a laptop and has been face timing and texting me on an app called Hangout. It has been lovely to keep a day to day contact with her and her two younger sisters. I even played a word game with the two eldest and they loved it. It was lovely to laugh again as the youngest who's nearly two popped up saying Hiya every two minutes. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P273W-kNKIM/UWbpBdyVxwI/AAAAAAAAC5c/1berCWZ4cTIQO1KmmVbsTauRpxObkfYcQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/A%2Bday%2Bwithout%2Blaughter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P273W-kNKIM/UWbpBdyVxwI/AAAAAAAAC5c/1berCWZ4cTIQO1KmmVbsTauRpxObkfYcQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/A%2Bday%2Bwithout%2Blaughter.png" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">My daughter Facetimes with her children who are three and 10mths. Sometimes the three year old is shy and doesn't say much, sometimes she pulls faces and makes dinosaur noises and sometimes she sings and asks for granddad. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The baby is standing on his own,trying to climb and nearly ready to try walking. By the time I see him he will be running around and getting up to all sorts.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank goodness for Skype, Facetime and Facebook. I don't know what I would do without them. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I started a nightly diary about a week ago. I was trying to find things for my granddaughter to do so I suggested we both do this and write down what we did everyday, anything that was funny or sad and how we felt about staying at home. I said that when she went back to school the teacher would probably ask them to write about their time off school and all she would have to do was look at her diary. I have written in mine every night. She has missed a few nights but I said it's her diary to do as she wants, so we'll see how she does.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> I have found it quite cathartic to empty my head onto paper which is what I'm doing now I suppose. I wonder if I read my diary in a few years will I wonder how we all came through it?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Time will tell.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Stay safe and well.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-27390783700735020682020-03-22T12:59:00.004+00:002020-03-22T12:59:51.284+00:00Housebound...10 Days in....<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wUQeZ2d8BYI/UdMbDdkEGmI/AAAAAAAADQY/Fb5XXcEYUWYZ7xfIv1gEcA7TOIq98t4KQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/good%2Bmorning%2Bfriends.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="398" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wUQeZ2d8BYI/UdMbDdkEGmI/AAAAAAAADQY/Fb5XXcEYUWYZ7xfIv1gEcA7TOIq98t4KQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/good%2Bmorning%2Bfriends.gif" width="320" /></a></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm back! I haven't blogged since my holiday posts but since I'm under house arrest I thought this was the ideal time.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This will be my 10th day of staying at home. I have Cystic Fibrosis which is a lung condition where the lungs constantly fill up with sticky mucus and I have to work hard everyday to clear them. Because of this I am very prone to chest infections. If you have a sore throat and I catch your infection it means four weeks out of my life fighting another chest infection.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My normal chest infection (which has been about 5 or 6 times a year in the last few years) starts with a sore throat, then a hacking dry cough, extreme breathlessness and then a productive cough. Apart from the productive cough it sounds like Corona. Usually I have a weeks oral antibiotics and then 2 or 3 weeks intravenous antibiotics. These make me feel awful, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">like I have the flu. Probably another ten days after that to make me feel normal again.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This is probably just a touch like what it must be like to have the virus and I really hope I don't have to go through it.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So over ten days ago I decided not to to back to any of my exercise classes, cancelled hair appointment and cancelled a holiday to Wales.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Actually these past ten days have flew by pretty quickly. I wonder if it's because news has been changing so fast. Everyday there is a new measure being implemented. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I read everyday on social media about people not complying to guidelines. Some pubs and cafes still opened, people in camper vans flocking to the Scottish Highlands, over 70's and people with health conditions not staying indoors, the list goes on. Mainly because of these selfish people I am expecting us to go into lockdown fairly soon. How else are the government going to get these people to comply?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The next few months are staring us in the face and as we take to our homes how do we pass our time?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Let's look on the bright side.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I read..a lot but at the moment I'm getting very tired when I read. I brought out my knitting bag that I haven't touched for years and have started small, knitting a dress for a Barbie doll. That will make my granddaughters happy.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A few years ago I started making jewellery. I haven't touched that for about 10 mths so that will be coming out soon.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have a sewing machine. I taught myself from you tube videos a few years ago but haven't attempted anything more than cushions and small toys. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There are also many exercise tutorials online and I grudgingly say that's what I should be doing everyday.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If I'm lucky enough not to get this virus then I would like to be better at something at the end of all this.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A better sewer, jewellery maker, knitter. I might even be able to speak Spanish or Italian if I learn it online. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If I stop eating chocolate and crisps and drinking gin I might be slimmer, or even healthier if I take the exercise classes.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm lucky in that...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> I'm not a young mum with children to entertain everyday all day. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I don't have school children to educate at home. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I don't have elderly parents to worry about.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I'm not a nurse or a doctor putting my life at risk everyday and working all the hours god sends.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm not working in a supermarket putting my life at risk as people who could have virus symptoms continue to fight over food and toilet rolls.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm not Boris Johnston or Nicola Sturgeon with the important job of trying to manage a country in distress.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I do worry about my husband, children, their partners and my grandchildren and my friends and wider family getting this virus. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Most of all I miss seeing my five grandchildren terribly. We skype but it's not the same as hands on. All us grandparents are in the same boat. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What are you doing to pass the time while at home. Are you staying at home or still going out and about? Are you a nurse,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">a doctor or someone else who has to work to keep this country ticking over? Please tell me.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I will be back soon as this is going to be another one of my pastimes. And if you blog please leave a link in the comments and I'll visit you.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-61145363456954479462019-11-19T15:55:00.003+00:002019-11-19T15:58:27.071+00:00Turkey Diaries 2019. Time for a Boat Trip.One last post from Turkey and I'm hoping the thought of the warm sun with ease the cold of a November day.<br />
<br />
Before we left home we booked and paid for a boat trip. We have been on many such trips over the years in Turkey, some good some not so good.<br />
This boat has fantastic reviews both on trip advisor, Turkey forums and Facebook. It was more expensive than we've paid before but what the heck, we're on holiday!<br />
<br />
<h4>
What Makes a Good Boat Trip?</h4>
<div>
1) Pleasant people running the trip</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
2) Nice friendly passengers</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3) No overcrowding</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
4) Good food</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
5) NO loud music......Yes I'm getting old I'll admit it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This will be the longest boat trip we've been on as it be over ten hours long. We are picked up at our hotel in Dalyan and driven to Gocek which hosts the nearest marina to Dalyan. In fact it's called a Mega Yacht Marina, and you only have to glance at the yachts there to see that the name fits.</div>
<div>
We were last to be picked up by the mini bus. We entered it to a sea of strange faces saying good morning time and time again as we found the last two seats right at the back of the bus.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5i2N-ck6RSk/UGBy7ySajCI/AAAAAAAAA54/qmWv4QAiZnEH8d7XtSQV-JrAa1_KKFBOQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/P1000416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5i2N-ck6RSk/UGBy7ySajCI/AAAAAAAAA54/qmWv4QAiZnEH8d7XtSQV-JrAa1_KKFBOQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/P1000416.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Soon the twelve of us were on board and when you have been on the same size of boat with about 25/30 passengers before then luxury starts here.</div>
<div>
There was a sun mattress for everyone with a beach towel sitting on top. We were served tea or coffee by the captain, a lovely young Turkish man married to a Dutch girl who unfortunately was in hospital in Holland that day. We were given re-fillable bottles of ice cold water just as we set sail. These could be filled five times for everyone on board. There were also metal straws if you preferred to buy cans of coke or orange. This is the first signs of keeping the planet plastic free I have ever seen in Turkey resorts so well done to the captain and his crew.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_6LAiMxltg/XdPtUHte2fI/AAAAAAAAO_4/CQYvY4A-RFIfAPSUlH6BYppMV8lSvxIMgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_6LAiMxltg/XdPtUHte2fI/AAAAAAAAO_4/CQYvY4A-RFIfAPSUlH6BYppMV8lSvxIMgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/image.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gunay 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Once on board we sail very quickly and about an hour later we stop for Turkish breakfast.</div>
<div>
Twelve people who have never met before siting around a large table filled with breakfast delights.</div>
<div>
There were,</div>
<div>
Two Dutch ladies who had came separately to Dalyan and met by chance and decided to do a boat trip together.</div>
<div>
A Dutch mother and her daughter and daughter's boyfriend.</div>
<div>
Two husband and wife couples and one Scottish lady on her own and hubby and me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All the Dutch people spoke perfect English so there was no language barrier. They were also the most outspoken of the group.</div>
<div>
Breakfast was so good. Salami, fresh baked bread, feta cheese, tomatoes, honey, olives, melon, peaches, grapes, freshly squeezed orange juice and eggs anyway you like and cooked to perfection.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On the mini bus on the way to the boat we had stopped at a farm belonging to the Captain's father.</div>
<div>
He brought out bags of fruit and vegetables freshly picked from the farm. We then stopped at a small bakery and picked up the bread. I have never tasted feta chees or olives quite so good as these.</div>
<div>
The cheese was home made, the olives from the captain's own garden and the eggs from his chickens who live in trees and not hen houses.</div>
<div>
There is something really nice about knowing exactly where your food comes from. Everything else on the table including honey was home grown, not much was bought from shops.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Laoqmw94Uk/XdPtRpq4s7I/AAAAAAAAO_o/FutzejItzC0fmPGSS1I7UL0XNj0WcecsACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Laoqmw94Uk/XdPtRpq4s7I/AAAAAAAAO_o/FutzejItzC0fmPGSS1I7UL0XNj0WcecsACPcBGAYYCw/s320/image.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kjPBnYtgSIA/XdPtR2JLuPI/AAAAAAAAO_8/syj0izrgMccnVOK0eZMlWnwzq5b4BDNugCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kjPBnYtgSIA/XdPtR2JLuPI/AAAAAAAAO_8/syj0izrgMccnVOK0eZMlWnwzq5b4BDNugCPcBGAYYCw/s320/image.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The conversation around the table ranges from Brexit (which I thought I had escaped from) to Gemma Collins, Joey Essex, (who?) Love Island and Scottish independence. Bearing in mind that everyone apart from the young couple were 50 plus, some strange topics.</div>
<div>
We had time to relax, or swim in the crystal clear sea and this time I didn't get bitten by a fish looking for his breakfast.</div>
<div>
Off sailing again, lounging on a mattress, reading, watching passing boats and soaking up the sun and scenery. It was blissful not having blaring music and just listening to the waves. Everyone on board was really nice and we had conversations at various times with them. It made for a happy boat.</div>
<div>
Soon snacks were placed on the table for all to help themselves. I was still so full from breakfast so I didn't indulge but they were quite healthy.</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-btJIRiK7gYI/XdPtSurLCRI/AAAAAAAAO_w/fHUMQb4lCMoAVHxsUBBa7XbFFUkY48EXwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-btJIRiK7gYI/XdPtSurLCRI/AAAAAAAAO_w/fHUMQb4lCMoAVHxsUBBa7XbFFUkY48EXwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/image.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">healthy snacks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
In the many boat trips I have made in Turkey I have never once sailed on a boat with it's sails up. The captain had promised me that if wind permitting I would experience it today. I was actually very excited about this. And it happened! </div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5i_zHYirzo/XdPtO6MI-8I/AAAAAAAAO_k/z1wNJzrI6_0BC9K7afmJ4bl5JuXkKSNNACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5i_zHYirzo/XdPtO6MI-8I/AAAAAAAAO_k/z1wNJzrI6_0BC9K7afmJ4bl5JuXkKSNNACPcBGAYYCw/s320/image.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gg5kmDlV1JE/XdPtO3hKDPI/AAAAAAAAO_k/D0PmS05EvTs9cr035DOCnHF7rAF1GkHpwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gg5kmDlV1JE/XdPtO3hKDPI/AAAAAAAAO_k/D0PmS05EvTs9cr035DOCnHF7rAF1GkHpwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/image.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gbcip-UOCKs/XdPtU6mlo8I/AAAAAAAAO_8/zafxgpnGBgkBFU-teRwcMQ-6yVjAOgDKACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gbcip-UOCKs/XdPtU6mlo8I/AAAAAAAAO_8/zafxgpnGBgkBFU-teRwcMQ-6yVjAOgDKACPcBGAYYCw/s320/image.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The feeling of sailing along in silence with no engine was one of these "Things to experience before you kick the bucket" moments. Bliss!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tea and coffee was handed round with a slice of home baked cake (I didn't refuse that).</div>
<div>
Another few stops along the way for swimming where masks, snorkels, foam noodles and water hammocks were provided to keep us all entertained. As we enjoyed the sea, dinner was being prepared and soon we were all eating again.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The table groaned with the weight of the food. By the time I sat down one silly woman had sat at a different seat therefore no one knew where to sit. It was a bit like musical chairs until we all found the place we wanted to be. There's always one isn't there?</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUxk-CIycFA/XdPtTgH16dI/AAAAAAAAO_4/qmLynBvUIC4GOeZ3slDFfLF44GuNjHP-ACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1316" height="155" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUxk-CIycFA/XdPtTgH16dI/AAAAAAAAO_4/qmLynBvUIC4GOeZ3slDFfLF44GuNjHP-ACPcBGAYYCw/s320/image.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2zdd2pEJPlY/XdPtT8f0VuI/AAAAAAAAO_8/uyvXu2idCz0Gfwvb-ZMWdV_-RVQxuuh0QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1316" height="155" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2zdd2pEJPlY/XdPtT8f0VuI/AAAAAAAAO_8/uyvXu2idCz0Gfwvb-ZMWdV_-RVQxuuh0QCPcBGAYYCw/s320/image.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-baQa2Sj5HBU/XdPtTNEfImI/AAAAAAAAO_0/5mpRIyLgbgQwUHPHUG09rUrmPBgnlpY4gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-baQa2Sj5HBU/XdPtTNEfImI/AAAAAAAAO_0/5mpRIyLgbgQwUHPHUG09rUrmPBgnlpY4gCPcBGAYYCw/s320/image.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #000032;">The food which is usually prepared by the captain's wife was made by his mother. There was, meatballs, burgers,turkish rice, stuffed vine leaves, borak pastries, chips, potaoes, all different vegetables in different sauces,the list goes on. Nothing there tasted like any food I had ate in Turkey before. It was amazing.</span><br />
<span style="color: #000032;">We all had to lift a dish and serve ourselves them pass it to the person on the left and so on. This worked so well and there wasn't one dish I didn't have some of the contents on my plate.</span><br />
<span style="color: #000032;">I was pleased there was no more swimming after that lot. We then headed to a special place where we can watch the sunset.</span><br />
<span style="color: #000032;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #000032;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #000032;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #000032;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #000032;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #000032;">After some strawberries and cream we sail along to see our sunset. </span><br />
<span style="color: #000032;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zd8VyL85x8U/XdPtQQGL2nI/AAAAAAAAO_s/t_CeSDGeONk2xucZi1ODdn-Yhj29DVnxwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zd8VyL85x8U/XdPtQQGL2nI/AAAAAAAAO_s/t_CeSDGeONk2xucZi1ODdn-Yhj29DVnxwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/image.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GrmCt-IKPQY/XdPtQoDmkFI/AAAAAAAAO_k/DE47ujOWE1wU_X0ppa1ZMoj22xO_Jo1GACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GrmCt-IKPQY/XdPtQoDmkFI/AAAAAAAAO_k/DE47ujOWE1wU_X0ppa1ZMoj22xO_Jo1GACPcBGAYYCw/s320/image.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jn-hfQ-vvm8/XdPtQ2aisZI/AAAAAAAAO_4/0Kq3v_OVeycQ8HUklE_ly4JtBqPYGjE5gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jn-hfQ-vvm8/XdPtQ2aisZI/AAAAAAAAO_4/0Kq3v_OVeycQ8HUklE_ly4JtBqPYGjE5gCPcBGAYYCw/s320/image.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #000032;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pbAkHv4kGuc/XdPtTQgaMWI/AAAAAAAAO_0/7-31rjNh_UkvfOPyD9tLmyeOQbI3Ey4CgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pbAkHv4kGuc/XdPtTQgaMWI/AAAAAAAAO_0/7-31rjNh_UkvfOPyD9tLmyeOQbI3Ey4CgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
A beautiful ending to a perfect day. I can't thank the captain and his crew enough for this trip. They were professional, friendly, considerate and helpful. It really was a special trip.</div>
<div>
Unfortunately due to personal circumstances the family has sold their boat now and headed back to Holland. They will be sadly missed in Dalyan and I only hope that someone takes heed from this boat and does a similar experience.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cT58o08DQoM/XdPtRhbo_qI/AAAAAAAAO_s/WwFtGis4pRsxEJfkg3BPThU9rG-qQ2gdQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cT58o08DQoM/XdPtRhbo_qI/AAAAAAAAO_s/WwFtGis4pRsxEJfkg3BPThU9rG-qQ2gdQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/image.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Last goodbyes and min bus back to hotel. Exhausted but happy.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That's my last entry for Turkey Diaries. Where to next year? I don't think it will be Turkey. It might be a road trip through Holland and France but with Brexit rearing it's ugly head it might not be so easy. We may indeed tour in the UK and hope for some good weather. In the meantime the thought of another airport and flight fills me with horror.</div>
<div>
We were caught up in the Thomas Cook crisis as our flight home was booked with them. I never thought I would ever say I was being repatriated which is exactly what happened.</div>
<div>
After a few days of not knowing about our flight I eventually found out what to do through the power of Twitter and it's good people. Yes! who knew how good Twitter was ? </div>
<div>
We were on our same flight at the same time. We were lucky as some people were put on flights to Manchester instead of Glasgow. </div>
<div>
On arrival at Glasgow airport we were greeted by members of the Civil Aviation Authority welcoming us back home. I felt as though I had just returned from a war zone after being held captive for months. I wanted to say to them, "We're fine! We've been in the sun for three weeks and had plenty of food and water."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-82030306506543176472019-10-28T09:00:00.000+00:002019-10-28T09:00:03.788+00:00Turkey Diaries 2019/ Dalyan..To Shop or not to Shop.<br />
I love shopping whether it be in real shops or online. I especially like shopping when I go on holiday.<br />
This year however I felt as if I had exhausted all of the shops in Turkey over the years of buying things.<br />
Things I don't need but feel I need and mostly end up lying in a cupboard forgotten about. This year I decided to window shop. I feel the prices in Turkey are much higher and most of the items I like can be bought online for cheaper. It's sad as I do like to help support the shopkeepers in the smaller shops.<br />
Most places this year had no prices on their merchandise and this is always a red flag to me. Why can't people just be honest with the price they want? I don't haggle as when I have tried in the past I have been very unsuccessful at it. Just tell me the price and I will decide if I can afford it and if it is worth the money you are asking.<br />
<br />
The things I like to look at in Turkey and I am drawn to these like a moth to a flame are the mosaic lamps and lanterns and hand painted dishes. These are mostly too big and awkward to carry home with me but I do have lots of small painted dishes but I love the large ones. The colours are amazing.<br />
Even the smallest of the bowls you can see in the photo have the initials on them of the person who painted it. Imagine how difficult and intricate it would be painting those large blue plates.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yeapUuB4vq8/UJD9fhEswDI/AAAAAAAABP0/P6PJZuPvuqEgTQTn5GHxPUal0sQqetJawCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/kalkan%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yeapUuB4vq8/UJD9fhEswDI/AAAAAAAABP0/P6PJZuPvuqEgTQTn5GHxPUal0sQqetJawCPcBGAYYCw/s320/kalkan%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3JiDjuNRhJw/UJD_6qJDfwI/AAAAAAAABQs/OlxyGhNFrw0edDsr995wTW2ftB_hVEHnQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/P1000632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3JiDjuNRhJw/UJD_6qJDfwI/AAAAAAAABQs/OlxyGhNFrw0edDsr995wTW2ftB_hVEHnQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/P1000632.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJQ3QHDROlY/UJEBdpCrDrI/AAAAAAAABRI/aIiFTzdm7mAfgComZdCNto0hAJ2mQoKlgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/P1000635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJQ3QHDROlY/UJEBdpCrDrI/AAAAAAAABRI/aIiFTzdm7mAfgComZdCNto0hAJ2mQoKlgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/P1000635.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Sg1d601zJQ/UJECYn2ah2I/AAAAAAAABRg/34_vDAXxVM4eykYRrrxB7Jw2H9zVM6xdwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/P1000637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Sg1d601zJQ/UJECYn2ah2I/AAAAAAAABRg/34_vDAXxVM4eykYRrrxB7Jw2H9zVM6xdwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/P1000637.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YeWNno5y7O4/UJEDHPhOlnI/AAAAAAAABRo/cHqPefnkd5wbuqAY6y7iw5-D9tb4Gi9-wCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/P1000638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YeWNno5y7O4/UJEDHPhOlnI/AAAAAAAABRo/cHqPefnkd5wbuqAY6y7iw5-D9tb4Gi9-wCPcBGAYYCw/s320/P1000638.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A04BwbA-0vE/UJERkLssxRI/AAAAAAAABTc/D1qrYOJ6BM4bVj9XGxtVi0zQ1UxLseY-gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/P1000608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A04BwbA-0vE/UJERkLssxRI/AAAAAAAABTc/D1qrYOJ6BM4bVj9XGxtVi0zQ1UxLseY-gCPcBGAYYCw/s320/P1000608.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
There is a large stall selling silver jewellery. I usually always buy something silver on holiday. Once again no prices on anything. You pick what you want and the silver is weighed and price given. I perhaps sound a bit cynical but I think that sometimes ( I'm not saying everyone does it) this is to convince the buyer that they are buying real silver. Well it's being weighed for it's value why would they do that if it wasn't real silver ?<br />
Last year I bought a silver chain with two pendants to put on it . Pendant price was set but chain was weighed. I asked if it was silver and shopkeeper said he only sold real silver. The chain went black and although I cleaned it it stayed black. So this year I decided I had enough silver and didn't buy any.<br />
<br />
Fake designer watches used to be ten a penny in Turkey and they actually lasted quite well. This time even the watch shops had no prices and I just couldn't be bothered with the whole rigmarole to get a price.<br />
There are shops called Primark and Sport's Direct selling fake t shirts etc.. We did tell them that the real Primark was cheaper but I don't think they believed us.<br />
<br />
One shop caught my attention every time we passed by. It was a lady's clothes shop (no prices) and every day the hanging display outside was a different colour. It was so attractive and I'm sure it brought many customers to the shop but as my case was full already I didn't buy anything. Maybe next time I will go with an empty case and fill it for coming home.<br />
<br />
So you know I must have bought something. Let's face it no one can go on holiday without buying something to take home. Or is that just me?<br />
I bought a wooden backscratcher...stop laughing, it's practical. Two haman towels for sunbeds. They are light, dry quickly and pack up small. I'm doing the practical again. Finally, some olive oil soaps in cute little tins for gifts for friends and of course for myself. I have been so good this year.<br />
Maybe if we visit another country next year I will be enticed back into the shops with new and amazing things to buy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RJ1fuciUfc/XbLahV1GYpI/AAAAAAAAO58/9dfiof49vGMTL8ORsZU54gWeHUn2KVF_ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RJ1fuciUfc/XbLahV1GYpI/AAAAAAAAO58/9dfiof49vGMTL8ORsZU54gWeHUn2KVF_ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2979.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vXCxxItGQvY/XbLahcs0oiI/AAAAAAAAO58/mUOStrpxKyUySJFALsNfHTdqtSdleu0zwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vXCxxItGQvY/XbLahcs0oiI/AAAAAAAAO58/mUOStrpxKyUySJFALsNfHTdqtSdleu0zwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2970.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3nftDb7Z-Sk/XbLahbNAA1I/AAAAAAAAO58/w1MxLC2tYAMNdrVno96-NQq4rs8pX-jRgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3nftDb7Z-Sk/XbLahbNAA1I/AAAAAAAAO58/w1MxLC2tYAMNdrVno96-NQq4rs8pX-jRgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1717.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjy_gb3RbGs/XbLahVyUEtI/AAAAAAAAO58/M7I-3E6x97sJk9iFB8jfcfdUg2SIMnOgwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjy_gb3RbGs/XbLahVyUEtI/AAAAAAAAO58/M7I-3E6x97sJk9iFB8jfcfdUg2SIMnOgwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1718.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYbD6W1DUEU/XbLahblksfI/AAAAAAAAO58/vWVExETUOVA-C0VnGl5rIAFHk9UNUCbZQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYbD6W1DUEU/XbLahblksfI/AAAAAAAAO58/vWVExETUOVA-C0VnGl5rIAFHk9UNUCbZQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1719.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6W0Lvet5lk/XbLahesARVI/AAAAAAAAO58/h_9fcl2nozUxKt5916w75gEoBff0NzOmQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">a</a></div>
As a postscript form my last post when I wrote about going across the river in Dalyan to see the ruins of Caunos. Here are some photos from my last trip there, it really is worth seeing. It seemed not to be a very healthy place to live as the people there had a short lifespan and it seems no one else wanted to move there. I don't blame them. Now a larger boat to take you across.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-76bCrVy44uQ/UBqwOI6jIII/AAAAAAAAAp8/5dVvHaYr6CQ7A4u-luybWlRFxejft3GoQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/536813_439219246107251_1258548946_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-76bCrVy44uQ/UBqwOI6jIII/AAAAAAAAAp8/5dVvHaYr6CQ7A4u-luybWlRFxejft3GoQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/536813_439219246107251_1258548946_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes,the rowing boat that took us there. Met by a goat!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZHizweALyc/UBqwP4jQokI/AAAAAAAAAqE/-JqBOMplJXQQgJzfdEOm2E0z1WzzrOPRACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/540459_439217292774113_1742197945_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZHizweALyc/UBqwP4jQokI/AAAAAAAAAqE/-JqBOMplJXQQgJzfdEOm2E0z1WzzrOPRACPcBGAYYCw/s320/540459_439217292774113_1742197945_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shDLXI13rIg/UBq6Pfmn1RI/AAAAAAAAAsk/p1Qd6Ag7xQI1s8mvfBV7El5xlBpf31fIACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/P1000304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shDLXI13rIg/UBq6Pfmn1RI/AAAAAAAAAsk/p1Qd6Ag7xQI1s8mvfBV7El5xlBpf31fIACPcBGAYYCw/s320/P1000304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPJ7tva0g3o/UBq2sorYlCI/AAAAAAAAAr8/T2lkIon0ItENUsllQrI0TJ_pngx7P21rgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/522329_439210842774758_1863994765_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPJ7tva0g3o/UBq2sorYlCI/AAAAAAAAAr8/T2lkIon0ItENUsllQrI0TJ_pngx7P21rgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/522329_439210842774758_1863994765_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Next post..The ultimate boat trip.Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-59330069463969514202019-10-21T15:25:00.000+01:002019-10-21T15:25:10.566+01:00Turkey Diaries 2019- Dalyan.We're back in Dalyan after seven years. Doesn't time fly? This is our fourth visit here and I wondered if anything had changed. Dalyan was always very quiet with only one street with bars and shops.<br />
It has changed. There are more bars and restaurants and what looks like another whole street is filled with them. It is busier but not too busy that you can't find a quite place to sit and people watch.<br />
<br />
Dalyan means "fishing weir" in Turkish. It is set on the banks of the River Cayi. As well as turtles "Caretta Caretta" the river is home to sea bream,mullet and bass. Boats are the preferred form of transport either to the beach or the various historical sites and the markets.<br />
Our favourite time of day is just after 10am sitting in a restaurant with tables overlooking the river and facing the ancient Lycian tombs. This is what I love about Dalyan, watching the boats go by and sitting dreaming of life in bygone times and wondering who else has sat in this spot dreaming like me.<br />
The last time we were here a small rowing boat took us across the river to visit the ruins of the city of Kaunos. It was quite a hike and one I couldn't even attempt now. The only part that would attract me is that it is now a bigger motorboat that goes across, that small rowing boat was scary.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E2h4j7CygRA/XaMcjNGHyPI/AAAAAAAAO28/0fNXy9us9wEFPpI8xGi1eprlVP8ZaDobwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E2h4j7CygRA/XaMcjNGHyPI/AAAAAAAAO28/0fNXy9us9wEFPpI8xGi1eprlVP8ZaDobwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2967.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wish I was here right now</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AlKE10TlASo/XaMcjKfpUPI/AAAAAAAAO28/PKWo4tZBS9UPQL_IkQ-ytjfecusHH6N9ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AlKE10TlASo/XaMcjKfpUPI/AAAAAAAAO28/PKWo4tZBS9UPQL_IkQ-ytjfecusHH6N9ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2969.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a boat garden?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jE78VrHOsoY/XaMcjADrcvI/AAAAAAAAO28/L1PU6yEeKsQ6NWpNq1H_Bp53wkFXtrI0wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jE78VrHOsoY/XaMcjADrcvI/AAAAAAAAO28/L1PU6yEeKsQ6NWpNq1H_Bp53wkFXtrI0wCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2968.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yoL-G3Y-uiQ/XaMcjPSLdWI/AAAAAAAAO28/qIjXUBW-bhMMzy3aDhVGvDdVNenKuwyMgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yoL-G3Y-uiQ/XaMcjPSLdWI/AAAAAAAAO28/qIjXUBW-bhMMzy3aDhVGvDdVNenKuwyMgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2959.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tombs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dbBEZ0j9k0/XaMcjJXuCjI/AAAAAAAAO28/YhuKE27ximEImBYY2AKwvD3OPwZHEk36QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dbBEZ0j9k0/XaMcjJXuCjI/AAAAAAAAO28/YhuKE27ximEImBYY2AKwvD3OPwZHEk36QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2960.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The tombs date from 3bc and are over 3,000 years old. As I gaze at them I wonder, how the men who carved them managed to climb up to the rock face and hold on while they carved. What tools did they have? How long did it take? I wondered if they made use of the long reeds and pleated them together to make a sort of sling. At least that's my theory, I'll probably have to ask Mr Google.<br />
<br />
The larger the tomb the richer the person was who was buried there. A false wall was made behind the main wall to store treasures but over the centuries they were plundered so nothing is left now.<br />
A warning to spend your money while you can enjoy it as someone else will only reap the benefits.<br />
<br />
As we sit beside the river I'm on turtle watch. We've seen them here before but these past few days we've only been treated to a little head bobbing up now and again. According to the waiter they mostly come out at night.<br />
There are birds in the river who dive under the water and come back up with a fish in their beak. They seem to be able to stay under the water for such a long time. I have no idea what they are but very interesting to watch them.<br />
We've had breakfast and when the waiter comes to take our plates away he empties them into the river. Toast, sausage, fried tomatoes,everything that's been left goes straight into the river and straight into the mouths of the fish. The river turns black as a shoal of tiny fish go crazy for the food and nothing is wasted.<br />
The waiter turns to us and says, "Same fish everyday come here, they're our fish"<br />
Well whether they're the same fish or not they're definitely well fed. The ultimate in re-cycling.<br />
<br />
We stayed at a small pension. At it's busiest there was only about ten people staying there which was ideal. The pool was lovely and the rooms basic but when the sun is out why would you stay in your room?<br />
<br />
The rooms were spread around a central open atrium with some upstairs. In the photo there should be gorgeous pink flowers hanging from the trees but this is Autumn and only a few flowers remain.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhDsmTMY7jc/Xa29uNkj9qI/AAAAAAAAO38/fv4bVffgIHcmLcH6WGmdPlSGZ5-9_0_4QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhDsmTMY7jc/Xa29uNkj9qI/AAAAAAAAO38/fv4bVffgIHcmLcH6WGmdPlSGZ5-9_0_4QCKgBGAsYHg/s400/IMG_2904.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q2o_TjmVx9M/Xa29uJwOr3I/AAAAAAAAO38/PY0ebmttVTcdgX9sK5Uwsghhg2QBum0RgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q2o_TjmVx9M/Xa29uJwOr3I/AAAAAAAAO38/PY0ebmttVTcdgX9sK5Uwsghhg2QBum0RgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2905.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An arty photo! I just loved the refection.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pa3uwiyqfP0/Xa29uNQ1fQI/AAAAAAAAO38/LwzsuSWrB5E_tLOHesFJ1feHd-sTU3-_wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pa3uwiyqfP0/Xa29uNQ1fQI/AAAAAAAAO38/LwzsuSWrB5E_tLOHesFJ1feHd-sTU3-_wCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2900.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K2orez7Bcvw/Xa29uMNyd8I/AAAAAAAAO38/6_8wQ3zLF_oyoKWuMxQqq8CNOgjxnrrGACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K2orez7Bcvw/Xa29uMNyd8I/AAAAAAAAO38/6_8wQ3zLF_oyoKWuMxQqq8CNOgjxnrrGACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2897.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZaSCiygcTA/Xa29uNXk2mI/AAAAAAAAO38/TK3bWvw4z1IY7IMwWvTFffUlZ8BSPgPWwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZaSCiygcTA/Xa29uNXk2mI/AAAAAAAAO38/TK3bWvw4z1IY7IMwWvTFffUlZ8BSPgPWwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2930.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching people trying to sit on this was hilarious</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-unKZcryiF0E/Xa29uAK1uqI/AAAAAAAAO38/iUALQO5MxVwI3llZkgwltcp-NHquYCbPACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-unKZcryiF0E/Xa29uAK1uqI/AAAAAAAAO38/iUALQO5MxVwI3llZkgwltcp-NHquYCbPACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3034.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Who could resist that wee face?</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L94StlhYVhY/Xa29uFZ66nI/AAAAAAAAO38/fmoJipwpmLAj6tAQ5wNuzEPhP-cLXM14wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L94StlhYVhY/Xa29uFZ66nI/AAAAAAAAO38/fmoJipwpmLAj6tAQ5wNuzEPhP-cLXM14wCKgBGAsYHg/s400/IMG_3037.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No pink flowers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6NP5g0H5QF0/Xa2-KARKcZI/AAAAAAAAO4E/89kF3AOLO54aNkRZ8XppMc5KSfyMNBCiwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6NP5g0H5QF0/Xa2-KARKcZI/AAAAAAAAO4E/89kF3AOLO54aNkRZ8XppMc5KSfyMNBCiwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3048.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's no getting away from cats here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next post......Shopping!Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-34832897322079692742019-10-13T13:30:00.002+01:002019-10-13T13:30:40.145+01:00Turkey Diaries 2019 . Fethiye and Dalyan.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>It's been a year since I posted on my blog. The last one was about a hospital stay. The winter was a worrying time for me as my health deteriorated quite unexpectedly. From October to July I spent a total of 8 wks in hospital. Although I have a lot to thank the NHS for, the drugs I needed were not available through them. My consultant applied on compassionate grounds to the drug manufacturers and I was thankfully given them. They have made a big improvement although I'm unsure if I will get back to the way I was before October but every little helps. I don't think I've mentioned on my blog before but I have Cystic Fibrosis. It causes sticky mucus to clog up the lungs giving you less room to breathe and causes lung damage.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Thankfully as of last month Scotland are providing the new drugs on the NHS. Newer and better ones are coming next year and I'm patiently waiting for them.<br />
<br />
Anyway after all that and with my health improving I needed a holiday and so did hubby. Three weeks in Turkey sounded good. We decided on one week in Fethiye in a lovely hotel at the Harbour with sea views and two weeks in Dalyan in a small pension.<br />
<br />
<br />
Let's skip the very early morning flight and pretend the aeroplane was comfortable and relaxing and airport security was fast and we boarded straightaway. I'm not one to moan!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YrW3PIXWNaI/XaIJykO0tPI/AAAAAAAAO1E/2C4TD4iOosoOvwGOtsi_7szEhGRaFpy-QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YrW3PIXWNaI/XaIJykO0tPI/AAAAAAAAO1E/2C4TD4iOosoOvwGOtsi_7szEhGRaFpy-QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2850.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from balcony</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We have visited Fethiye a few times but never stayed overnight. Fethiye is a working town so it can be very busy. Our favourite place for eating and drinking and shopping is the Paspatur. It's like a market with everything in one place. I can easily get lost in it and walk around in circles trying to find my way out. There are a few entrances so you could end up coming out on a completely different street.<br />
It was very, very hot during the first week and I found walking very hard going. Even in the evening it was 25-28 deg.<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vJJSw1DC23U/XaMMNvcwdGI/AAAAAAAAO2M/qvie72O8R2cnQLJLpUUcCvU1bA7I3WkFwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_T4asc5DShA/XaMLQAi2x0I/AAAAAAAAO2A/J8Pu8MFBC_QGO0FnWykU0A2-BE5ZALJmwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_T4asc5DShA/XaMLQAi2x0I/AAAAAAAAO2A/J8Pu8MFBC_QGO0FnWykU0A2-BE5ZALJmwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2878.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umbrella St in Paspatur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wu-Ud-qkZ_c/XaMLQJtJw2I/AAAAAAAAO2A/lJwAeJYhR5EiFfkduBT-Z8pcbl1vz-M9wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wu-Ud-qkZ_c/XaMLQJtJw2I/AAAAAAAAO2A/lJwAeJYhR5EiFfkduBT-Z8pcbl1vz-M9wCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2870.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paspatur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The hotel only had a very small pool, really just a plunge pool but the hotel had a private ( stoney) beach and a free boat taxi to take us there. What a pleasant way to travel. Twenty minutes on the small boat and we were there. The beach was reasonably quiet, never busy and if the staff at the restaurant/ bar had stopped playing music it would have been great.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GAGyvV3rLHg/XaIKWXsGCyI/AAAAAAAAO1M/uAme2b-r9zotYJ8Auc0YzsHjpAiB02bNACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GAGyvV3rLHg/XaIKWXsGCyI/AAAAAAAAO1M/uAme2b-r9zotYJ8Auc0YzsHjpAiB02bNACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2854.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
Private beach with a couple of rabbits for company</div>
<div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YrW3PIXWNaI/XaIJykO0tPI/AAAAAAAAO1E/2C4TD4iOosoOvwGOtsi_7szEhGRaFpy-QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YrW3PIXWNaI/XaIJykO0tPI/AAAAAAAAO1E/2C4TD4iOosoOvwGOtsi_7szEhGRaFpy-QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tkydye41NG4/XaIL-jH6EcI/AAAAAAAAO1Y/UjumGL4Toto-rKORQngJr6Vj8HFhMLengCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tkydye41NG4/XaIL-jH6EcI/AAAAAAAAO1Y/UjumGL4Toto-rKORQngJr6Vj8HFhMLengCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2884.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="color: #000120;"></span></u><br /></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YrW3PIXWNaI/XaIJykO0tPI/AAAAAAAAO1E/2C4TD4iOosoOvwGOtsi_7szEhGRaFpy-QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></a>
I did go in swimming but there were nasty little fish that just loved biting feet and legs. They seemed to bite if you didn't move so as long as you remembered to keep swimming you were okay. It was good fun watching others get a fright when bitten, actually it was hilarious.<br />
<br />
The next resort to Fethiye and more of a holiday resort is Calais Beach. You can walk ( long) or cycle along a cycle path or take a dolmus. We preferred a taxi boat, only a few lira and 10 mins and we were there.<br />
I didn't like Calais so much although it's well loved by lots of holiday makers. The council have made a lovely playpark and interesting fountains and things to look at if you walk along the front. There are many holiday clubs where you can have a sunbed and umbrella if you eat or drink there.<br />
We had a walk through it and a few drinks along the way and decided we liked Fethiye better and hopped back on another taxi boat.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CP_dZKqH0E8/XaMKufiDN8I/AAAAAAAAO14/wY-sxY89Ag0Yc41EvtTKmApdZ3OiGCRAgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CP_dZKqH0E8/XaMKufiDN8I/AAAAAAAAO14/wY-sxY89Ag0Yc41EvtTKmApdZ3OiGCRAgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2859.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calais Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OKMLsj4boMY/XaMKuTWc-yI/AAAAAAAAO14/fB4emVkllfcIQ_LRjrPGXpvnpn29GXUQwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OKMLsj4boMY/XaMKuTWc-yI/AAAAAAAAO14/fB4emVkllfcIQ_LRjrPGXpvnpn29GXUQwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2860.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calais</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We met a lovely couple at the hotel. Sometimes you meet people you just gel with and it can really make your holiday. Caroline and I had a love of crafting to share and although she makes completely different things to me it was so interesting to exchange views. We also liked the same authors so that was a big plus.<br />
<br />
There was a strange design feature in our hotel room which I had never seen before and wondered what kind of hotel we had booked into. I have since found out this is normal practice in many countries.<br />
Between the bathroom and bedroom there was sliding louvre doors from which you couldn't enter but could see into the shower and toilet. Why? I don't get it. I can assure you that it was never opened when we stayed there except when I took photos. Some things have to remain private. What do you think? Have you ever come across this before?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0xcNWam7SwA/XaMNsgwX12I/AAAAAAAAO2Y/CZdA9gQHgDIHvGCD5V9WfCUU2fhB-mynwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0xcNWam7SwA/XaMNsgwX12I/AAAAAAAAO2Y/CZdA9gQHgDIHvGCD5V9WfCUU2fhB-mynwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2852.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from shower into bedroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jQx_GgMMS1A/XaMNstjzw9I/AAAAAAAAO2Y/TcFY9q7eBAAJQdWZa9JkHCGkyN3BSdYewCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jQx_GgMMS1A/XaMNstjzw9I/AAAAAAAAO2Y/TcFY9q7eBAAJQdWZa9JkHCGkyN3BSdYewCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2869.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from bedroom to bathroom and you can see toilet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I became bored with the food after a few days. It was all very repetitive in all the restaurants and not as good as in other places in Turkey we have visited.<br />
One night we decided to look for a Chinese restaurant for a change. We saw one not far from our hotel. It was upstairs and we could see people from it's balcony so it looked busy, always a good sign. We had noticed there were lots of Chinese people in our hotel and around Fethiye so if they choose to eat here it must be good.<br />
I climbed what felt like hundreds of stairs to get to the restaurant and when I got to the top I had no breathe left. I thought I would have time at the top of the stairs to take my inhaler and get my breathe back and as I cough a lot when I'm breathless hopefully have a private cough. No such luck!<br />
The stairs led straight into the kitchen where about a half dozen people, cooks? family? all stared at us.<br />
So holding my cough inside me we walked into the restaurant and found a table.<br />
we weren't greeted, just handed a menu. The restaurant was full of young people, probably family used to make it look busy. When they finished their people they stood against a table next to us and spoke to each other for ages.<br />
Starters came and my spring rolls were burnt on one side. My husband had soup and prawn crackers, the crackers were burnt too. When I told waiter about them he just shrugged. The main course I think was chow mien which was okay just not very flavoursome.<br />
The restaurant emptied and no one else joined us. The whole atmosphere wasn't very pleasant. We asked for the bill and they had removed the charge for the spring rolls. Needless to say no tip was left and we left, going downstairs quicker than we had came up.<br />
<br />
I think a week here was enough but my hubby said he could have stayed longer. I really need a pool.<br />
Our next stop is Dalyan where we haven't been for seven years, I wonder if it's changed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLX6fQYgrD8/XaMUAtfmNMI/AAAAAAAAO2k/o7p_nnyvTLUJwTmsYqv6dY54b7HqcpGrgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLX6fQYgrD8/XaMUAtfmNMI/AAAAAAAAO2k/o7p_nnyvTLUJwTmsYqv6dY54b7HqcpGrgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2856.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pM6ZXuZUGO8/XaMUAhrDLsI/AAAAAAAAO2k/dv95zYYSm6E-O6NZRsO6UQ1vC1_9XqBzACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pM6ZXuZUGO8/XaMUAhrDLsI/AAAAAAAAO2k/dv95zYYSm6E-O6NZRsO6UQ1vC1_9XqBzACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2874.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hG_7AB7cJdQ/XaMUAt9TP4I/AAAAAAAAO2k/xuCPAL8ZalosD0BM4SEbal1igHQc8CJbwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hG_7AB7cJdQ/XaMUAt9TP4I/AAAAAAAAO2k/xuCPAL8ZalosD0BM4SEbal1igHQc8CJbwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2892.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didn't get to see what he was selling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uy0qlT1zfDw/XaMYWFIvUiI/AAAAAAAAO2w/buHQ4XDw4ZUY6mzdaYmdmRigXnhXlzWnQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uy0qlT1zfDw/XaMYWFIvUiI/AAAAAAAAO2w/buHQ4XDw4ZUY6mzdaYmdmRigXnhXlzWnQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2887.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside Paspatur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxfLvWi0cCs/XaMYWAymrxI/AAAAAAAAO2w/DX8SGNlagXcsbPPnTEaOVgH2SGGlwuG4gCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxfLvWi0cCs/XaMYWAymrxI/AAAAAAAAO2w/DX8SGNlagXcsbPPnTEaOVgH2SGGlwuG4gCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2886.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">£100,000,000 boat privately owned</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-irjXckMNUcE/XaMYWIJXMDI/AAAAAAAAO2w/hUnye88N7I45bB8tTCioFHagKmL9sJ2oQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-irjXckMNUcE/XaMYWIJXMDI/AAAAAAAAO2w/hUnye88N7I45bB8tTCioFHagKmL9sJ2oQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2880.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">breakfast table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IX-SCypZTLY/XaMYWJEHcRI/AAAAAAAAO2w/MAvT39OnKasNDAdGcss5iRXMTdlafhThQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IX-SCypZTLY/XaMYWJEHcRI/AAAAAAAAO2w/MAvT39OnKasNDAdGcss5iRXMTdlafhThQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1806.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fethiye</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-91479288216080258932018-10-10T11:26:00.000+01:002018-10-10T11:26:15.028+01:00Life Inside! I’ve become institutionalised. This is my 10th day as an inmate in a NHS hospital. The doctors and nurses have been great and the treatment I’m receiving is hopefully doing it’s job so I'm not going to moan (I might later) I just want to share with you a few things I have noticed and how I have changed over the last 10 days.<br />
In my normal life I can't sleep at night unless the room is pitch black. Even a red or green light emitted from a phone or charger can annoy me even if I can't see it with my eyes closed, I know it's there.<br />
After a few annoying nights I can now sleep with a red light pulsating from the ceiling above my head. I think it's a smoke detector then sometimes think it may be a hidden camera. Your mind can play tricks in a strange room at 3 am.<br />
Some nights other lights are left on in my room as nurses come to take temps and give drugs. I’m done with jumping out of bed and switching them off.<br />
<br />
Every patient has their own room here and I like that immensely. I love reading and writing and messing around on social media and that's hard to do in a ward with other patients. Some people enjoy the company and the chat but listening to someone else's ailments all day long is not my cup of tea. When visitors used to appear on a ward the competition began to see who can speak the loudest, who can be seen to have brought up the most sweets, magazines or food for their loved one.<br />
Talking about food! I remember patients being brought full three course meals by their family or pizza or Chinese food. The ward would be stinking and no one thought of the other patients who had to sit and watch this picnic extravaganza performed. Luckily now they could even bring curries in and I wouldn't know anything about it from my nice quiet room made for one.<br />
<br />
At home I only like ice cold Coke and ice cold water both with ice cubes if available. In here we do sometimes get water that is cold but my cans of Coke are always warm. Has this stopped me drinking them? No way! Like in the desert you drink what you get and I even drink the water when it's warm,<br />
I miss making a cup of tea when the notion takes me. I also miss hot tea, tea with more than a thimbleful of milk and tea that tastes like tea. But I have grown accustomed to not getting what I like so I make do with the lousy lukewarm tea and I'm thankful for it.<br />
<br />
I always like my room door closed. Some nurses ask if you want it open or closed, but 99% of the time it is left wide open. The first few days it bothered me now I just don't care.<br />
Is this me being institutionalised? Where things that mattered to me (silly things) just don't matter so much anymore. It's too hard to fight against it. Too tiring to be getting up and closing a door or putting a light out.<br />
Of course there has to be some sort of order when you're dealing with a lot of people. Like Pavlov's dogs you react to stimuli, towels are brought in it's time for a shower. When you hear the trolley wheels it's either time for a cup of tea or the shop from downstairs is selling goodies.<br />
<br />
Sometimes when the little choice you have over your day to day life is taken away it affects your mood. When tea comes round about 10 am we are then given a choice for dinner that evening. If you happen to be in the toilet,at X-ray, or if someone is taking your blood pressure you are passed by. No tea and no choice for your evening meal. Lucky there are lovely nurses here who will make me a (hot) cuppa and tell me they’ll change my meal if I don't like it. But it's the removal of the original choice that's annoying.<br />
<br />
The Internet has been my lifeline. It's not always working well and up until today my blogs have been blocked, ha ha, it's as if they knew. Messaging friends at night has been great just like having real conversations after all when you watch Strictly or Corrie you really want to discuss it with someone, thanks Carol! To all my words with friends players too, you keep me going.<br />
<br />
You’ll have all realized that I must be feeling better now as I'm getting more irritated. That's true but I have another six days to go in here before I'm declared well enough for civilian life. How I will fit into society again I have no idea.<br />
What has kept me going in here? Visits from my family and grandchildren have been great. The two oldest girls made me cards which made me cry later after they had gone especially now the eldest ( remember tiny girl) who’s seven now can write what she wants all by herself.<br />
She wrote I was, “ The best Gran in the whole wide, wide,wide world.”<br />
I now hope one day she will read my blog and understand just how much that meant to me.<br />
My hubby has been the best,here everyday listening to my moans,worrying about me and taking home my washing and bringing it back washed and ironed ( yes ironed!) I don't know what I would do without him.<br />
I started this post when I had been here for ten days, it's 15 days now and as I said before six more to go. Soon everything will be back to normal…..until the next time.<br />
<br />
<br />Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-44724019004856327622017-09-25T09:00:00.000+01:002017-09-25T09:00:21.608+01:00Crete Diaries 2017 / The Face in the Mirror.After seeing someone almost every night in Crete while I was on holiday I tried to put myself in their shoes and wrote this story. Of course I don't know their real story and I've probably got it all wrong but I couldn't get this person out of my head until I had written something. Hopefully the real person will never read this but if they do I apologise in advance but this story comes from the heart.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Face in The Mirror.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was feeling quite happy when I came out this evening. My usual walk to my usual haunt is uneventful but somehow tonight feels different. Holidaymakers pass me by jostling playfully with each other, having fun. As I get to my spot,the spot where I stand and wait for "friends" I am joined by a man and a woman, maybe in their fifties, I'm not very good at guessing ages. I know they're waiting for the mini bus that will take them back to their hotel. I see different people waiting there every night for a while then they're gone,home to start saving again for their next holiday. The woman smiles at me and tries nor to look as if she's staring but I can tell that she's never seen anyone like me before, she's led a sheltered life.</div>
<div>
The man avoids any eye contact with me. I can tell he's uncomfortable standing there within touching distance but that's where the bus stops so he has no other option. </div>
<div>
Usually people looking doesn't bother me but tonight for some reason it does. I feel different to all the other people out and about on holiday. A difference that has nothing to do with me not being on holiday but living and working here.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tonight is hot and clammy. I think about how I looked in the mirror before I left my bedroom. I have a good figure,long red frizzy hair that could do with conditioning. I'm wearing skin tight jeans and a long t shirt with fringes around the bottom. Red six inch heels make me look even taller than I am. I'm on the wrong side of thirty five but make up works wonders. I look into my face. It's never the face I want to see. I look into the mirror and the face of a man looks back at me.</div>
<div>
That's what those people see, a man dressed up as a woman,a man who is standing outside a gent's toilet waiting for business. And they're right! They're completely right! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The cars pass slowly through the carpark next to the toilets, most because they're looking for that valued space in such a busy place but some because they're looking for someone like me.</div>
<div>
Someone like me? Is that what I've become ? A cliche? One of those people who haunts toilets that your mother warns you to be wary of. </div>
<div>
I was born in the wrong body. I've always felt female,I always have been female.</div>
<div>
I suppose I'm lucky I've always been tall and slim, no matter what I eat I never put on weight,I know,every girl's dream.</div>
<div>
My parents couldn't cope with their son,their blue eyed blonde hair son telling them he was a girl. They're still in denial. I left home at sixteen and lived on the streets for five years. Eventually I was given a place in a hostel and an address. I found a job in a supermarket and had money for the first time. </div>
<div>
I dressed as a man during this period as it was easier to keep my job and get on with people. Some friends were going on holiday to Crete and the cheap flights enticed me so I went with them and never left.</div>
<div>
In Crete I became me again. Most of the time I dressed as the woman I felt I was but to be a complete woman is much more complicated and costs more money than I have. I work on a tourist boat during the day, hair tied up,cap on and at night I apply my make up and untie my hair.</div>
<div>
If the right people come along I make good money but it's a dangerous profession, having sex with strangers. My clients are usually married men with 2.4 children. As long as they pay I will let them live they life they want for a few minutes.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I read in the newspaper today about a famous footballer who has undergone a sex change. Everyone says how brave he is,what courage it took for him to tell the world he was born into the wrong body. I felt like crying. He who has millions in his bank account is brave? He who paid for the best plastic surgeon in the world is brave? Oh no! Brave is standing outside a gent's toilet night after night and watching the looks on the faces of normal people going about their normal lives wondering what happened to make you live this life.</div>
<div>
Brave is taking money in return for sex and saving and saving. Not eating, not drinking, no drugs,nothing to numb the humiliation of what I do.</div>
<div>
Soon, when I have saved enough I will board a plane to Thailand where a surgeon (not the best in the world) will change my body. Facial surgery and fillers will change the shape of my face and my life will begin again.</div>
<div>
I will return to Crete as a woman. I will find employment and I will walk past my old haunt and no one will recognise me. I will not stop at the toilets I will walk past. I will smile at the people waiting for the hotel bus. Someone else will be in my place,perhaps someone like me. Someone else hurting as much as I did. As I walk by I will not look back I will only look forward.....one day.</div>
Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-6790575634816507682017-09-22T09:00:00.000+01:002017-09-22T09:00:12.874+01:00Crete Diaries June 2017 / Last MemoriesWe've had a heatwave here for the past few days and it's far too hot to do anything but lie in the shade near the pool,read then swim. It's reasonably quite here, plenty of empty sun beds and the youngsters who like to play ball (with a tennis ball) and have a carry on in the pool, anything except swimming, have gone somewhere for the day.<br />
<div>
The noise I can hear and which I usually enjoy is the noise of the crickets. The noise is synonymous with being on holiday in a hot country. These crickets however outdo any crickets I've ever heard. I've described them in posts before as, " The gentle chirping of the crickets." But here they sound more like those howling monkeys I've seen on wildlife programmes. The strange thing is the all stop chirping at the same time..and then start all over again. We are under the shade of trees where they probably live but they must be masters of disguise because no matter how hard I look I haven't seen one yet.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The hotel is two miles out of town and at the top of a hill which might be the reason for the beautiful butterflies that flutter around us. They look so regal in their blues,reds,creams and greens. A cream coloured butterfly with black stripes lands on a flowered bush. It has huge wings and I try unsuccessfully to photograph it with my phone. I wish I had brought a proper camera with me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As I swim in the pool two swifts swoop down for a drink. They think only one of them should drink and like two fighter jets they have a dogfight in the sky. </div>
<div>
Talking of fighter jets, there's an American airfield near Chania and we can hear the fighter jets flying overhead. The noise is incredible and like the crickets we can very rarely see them.</div>
<div>
Three little sparrows line up on the railings at the side of the pool. They take it in turn to bathe in the overflow of water and return to the railings. They ruffle their feathers until the sun dries them and the fly away. This is probably a daily ritual and I feel privileged to have witnessed it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We have loved being here in Crete and hope to return one day. We have found it to be very much like Turkey and it has made us want to go back there next year,so look out for my Turkey Diaries once again. </div>
<div>
I said people watching gives me inspiration for writing stories and that's what my next post will be,a story I wrote in Crete from something I observed. </div>
<div>
I'll leave you with some photos....including food! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1usGI712_5o/WcJwoiKYOuI/AAAAAAAAJXQ/TCrqKh4Fy545n562qUkq8WgJmgUD1WoowCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-833194219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1usGI712_5o/WcJwoiKYOuI/AAAAAAAAJXQ/TCrqKh4Fy545n562qUkq8WgJmgUD1WoowCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-833194219.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2dixyiHtbIs/WcJwlndbgNI/AAAAAAAAJXM/pGayfdJDRCs_LJHwDKPm7GL3vSGdf_fSACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1825702800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2dixyiHtbIs/WcJwlndbgNI/AAAAAAAAJXM/pGayfdJDRCs_LJHwDKPm7GL3vSGdf_fSACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1825702800.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W5fl721u-u8/WcJwcZdc_8I/AAAAAAAAJXA/L8fsfCA0YxseWS7GhUVxQdGQlUIi6N1ZwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-490510239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W5fl721u-u8/WcJwcZdc_8I/AAAAAAAAJXA/L8fsfCA0YxseWS7GhUVxQdGQlUIi6N1ZwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-490510239.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OuhHwwsupsg/WcJwZDacF-I/AAAAAAAAJW8/niDN_IcM_k8kfLQLk-TmXa6dqncQ6i15ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-2052362293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OuhHwwsupsg/WcJwZDacF-I/AAAAAAAAJW8/niDN_IcM_k8kfLQLk-TmXa6dqncQ6i15ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-2052362293.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dVhH2BgDeAI/WcJwfVW6x9I/AAAAAAAAJXE/RA8nQXOpsos2gGGJDUslCZILxVvCIFc-gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1549243620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dVhH2BgDeAI/WcJwfVW6x9I/AAAAAAAAJXE/RA8nQXOpsos2gGGJDUslCZILxVvCIFc-gCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1549243620.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aisAp90aRbk/WcJwieS8ltI/AAAAAAAAJXI/BA7Z3VbDsSgmSTWi0GrNmisygoREK02DgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1583967178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aisAp90aRbk/WcJwieS8ltI/AAAAAAAAJXI/BA7Z3VbDsSgmSTWi0GrNmisygoREK02DgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1583967178.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-diN420f7Etg/WcJwrjHzC_I/AAAAAAAAJXU/xukhSJ7jJvIVmzEEOEydFm4cuSdBPrEHgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--19594396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-diN420f7Etg/WcJwrjHzC_I/AAAAAAAAJXU/xukhSJ7jJvIVmzEEOEydFm4cuSdBPrEHgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--19594396.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-24519318948810455152017-09-20T13:20:00.001+01:002017-09-20T13:31:29.194+01:00Crete Diaries June 2017 ...Who Is He?Does Anyone Know This Man ? <div><br></div><div><br></div><div>While I'm on holiday I like to people watch as I'm sure many other people do. Watching people gives me inspirations for stories.</div><div>Hubby and I were having dinner in a restaurant in the old town of Chania. Greek musicians and singers are entertaining us, two men and a woman. The woman is playing what looks like wooden spoons and the men have Greek guitars. We have no idea what they are singing about but most of the songs seem to be soulful and sad.</div><div>A man and a woman are sitting at the table in front of us and right in front of the musicians. I would say they are a bit older than us,she has long brown hair and a nice smiley face. He has long grey hair past his shoulders with a long unruly white beard. He has a scowl on his face and we christen him Catweasel (from the sixties children's tv programme ) I must add here that although he is causally dressed like everyone in Chania he is dressed well.</div><div>The reason we notice him is,he complains about everything except the music, to that he nods approvingly, mouthing the words to the songs. He goes over and talks to the musicians and leaves money in their tip box but the waiters are not so lucky. </div><div>He sends back his starters,his wine,he complains in a haughty and aloof manner and then it's back to nodding approvingly to the musicians. I'm so glad something makes him happy.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u87YlILjn2U/WcJdF1EqrcI/AAAAAAAAJWs/bLdUVVRIem0MbawsC9fpY4WgWTBIGHgEwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1323025802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u87YlILjn2U/WcJdF1EqrcI/AAAAAAAAJWs/bLdUVVRIem0MbawsC9fpY4WgWTBIGHgEwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1323025802.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Two nights later we're in a different restaurant with a group of three different musicians. Who comes and sits at the table in front of us and in front of the group? Yes! Catweasel and his partner.</div><div>What is the first thing he does? Well after nodding and appreciating the music, he sends back the wine! He sends back a whole litre of the same house wine we are drinking and saying how lovely it is. Wine connoisseurs we are not but I don't think we have ever sent wine back. He complains about his main course again and when the ice cream dish comes,complete with sparklers he makes the waiter take them out of his dish before they have finished burning. I can tell from the waiter's face that they are hot. We decide that the couple are Greek as he converses fluently with the waiters. We think he maybe is a musician himself, a celebrity in Greece or someone rich enough to demand the attention he gets. </div><div>I whisper to my husband, "Imagine having to go to dinner with that grumpy old man every night, what a nightmare!" </div><div>Later in the evening when we were leaving the restaurant Catweasel's partner gave me a lovely smile and said goodnight. So,she can speak English,I wonder if she heard what I said. If she did then I got from her smile that she found it amusing.</div><div><br></div><div>A few nights later we celebrated my birthday at the second restaurant. We had just started our meal when Catweasel and his partner appeared. All we could do was laugh. I think they might be stalking us as we have always been at the restaurants before them. There are hundreds of restaurants in Chania so it is funny we keep choosing the same ones.</div><div>Three waiters are around his table in an instant, pulling out chairs, bringing them water and menus. It seems they were expecting him and are well prepared.</div><div>He never cracked a smile, just gave them a nod. </div><div>So, do you know Catweasel ? Is he a film star? A musician? A Greek idol? A millionaire? Or just a grumpy old man. </div><div>Who Is He?........</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F7YY81SFr0k/WcJdCetVDFI/AAAAAAAAJWo/5uvlL2rsajoe1sbWscDfedGRLYkptZGnACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--2014791746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F7YY81SFr0k/WcJdCetVDFI/AAAAAAAAJWo/5uvlL2rsajoe1sbWscDfedGRLYkptZGnACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--2014791746.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GV1HjTX-Q9I/WcJc--r6-pI/AAAAAAAAJWk/i35LHD62s8Qe8UbXg7NywbQ5s-X6lGV3ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--2022125960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GV1HjTX-Q9I/WcJc--r6-pI/AAAAAAAAJWk/i35LHD62s8Qe8UbXg7NywbQ5s-X6lGV3ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--2022125960.jpg"></a></div>These photos were all taken of the restaurant. It wasn't until I started to write this that I realised he was in them. The bottom one is blown up.</div>Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-55169124618025843502017-08-21T08:30:00.000+01:002017-08-21T08:30:08.400+01:00Crete Diaries June 2017. Another Decade Begins.Today is 30th June, I'm in Crete and tomorrow I will turn sixty. I spend time today thinking and wondering what it means to be entering this new decade.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BrxQHrCBOlY/UdMXPix622I/AAAAAAAADPY/UWm-XMgP_74EZWFjAP4ma8vMFHEWApsCQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/birthday.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="238" data-original-width="216" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BrxQHrCBOlY/UdMXPix622I/AAAAAAAADPY/UWm-XMgP_74EZWFjAP4ma8vMFHEWApsCQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/birthday.gif" width="181" /></a></div>
<u><b>TEN</b></u><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When I turned ten at the end of my first decade I had what I remember as being my first and only birthday party of my childhood. I think on other birthdays I had a cake with my family and was allowed to invite a friend.</div>
<div>
There were conditions to this party. No one was invited until about a half hour before it began. The reasoning was, my mum didn't want any of our neighbours to buy presents they could ill afford.</div>
<div>
I don't think children's parties were so big back then in 1967 certainly not the way they are today with themes and soft play area and bouncy castles. Oh what we wouldn't have done to jump on a bouncy castle. I did receive a few gifts from girls whose mothers had ran to the corner shop in a rush to buy something for their daughters to bring. I think my mum had just made it harder with the last minute invites but she meant well. They were probably cursing her as most people wouldn't go to a party without at least a card. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lL3Bs6CV8Bc/U-t9l0Art_I/AAAAAAAAEik/utfDqYAnBEo2ueu34tz931sQ2CBHR1oXgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_1676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lL3Bs6CV8Bc/U-t9l0Art_I/AAAAAAAAEik/utfDqYAnBEo2ueu34tz931sQ2CBHR1oXgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_1676.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
When my dad came home from his work a short while after the party started he had seen one solitary child playing in the street at peever. He asked her why she wasn't at the party as she stayed just across the street from us. The truth is we had fallen out and I hadn't invited her. I wasn't best pleased when she appeared at our front door with my dad to join my party. I was taught a few lessons on that tenth year.</div>
<div>
A friend's presence is more important than any gift money can buy.</div>
<div>
Never leave anyone out. It's awful to be on the outside looking in.<br />
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u><b>TWENTY</b></u></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I remember the joy of turning twenty and I was no longer a teenager. It was also the year I would be married so it was a very exciting year. I had the milestone of my twenty first birthday the following year to look forward and my first as a married lady.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--hsfalptwtc/UWKPXIqH2nI/AAAAAAAACxY/U1vsKbAtoTY9EhiQpTbnXgA2q8SdrXYLACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/bride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="1382" height="279" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--hsfalptwtc/UWKPXIqH2nI/AAAAAAAACxY/U1vsKbAtoTY9EhiQpTbnXgA2q8SdrXYLACPcBGAYYCw/s320/bride.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u><b>THIRTY</b></u></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When I turned thirty I had two children of five and three. I celebrated this birthday by going out for a meal to a Greek restaurant with four of our friends. I remember being reluctant to leave my twenties behind. I had to be a proper grown-up now.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u><b>FORTY</b></u></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was party time when I turned forty. After only remembering one party from my childhood I was determined to have one now. We hired a hall and a disco and invited all our friends, it was a great night and I still enjoy looking at the photos. It was marred by the fact that my parents couldn't attend. My dad wasn't feeling well and mum didn't want to leave him. We didn't realise it was the start of something serious and he passed away with a sudden illness a few months later.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2R1jrTs6_7Q/UYo5LrUFmXI/AAAAAAAADBc/55Ue470TkNomCRvjyjT_aTy4m4ScO4AtgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/stage.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="211" data-original-width="282" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2R1jrTs6_7Q/UYo5LrUFmXI/AAAAAAAADBc/55Ue470TkNomCRvjyjT_aTy4m4ScO4AtgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/stage.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u><b>FIFTY</b></u></div>
<div>
I have no recollection how I celebrated my fiftieth birthday. Hubby and I probably went for a meal. I don't think I liked turning fifty and just wanted the day to pass.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u><b>SIXTY</b></u></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
HOW do I feel tonight,on the last day I can truthfully say I'm fifty something? Well, I'm on the beautiful Island of Crete, the sun is shining everyday and I have my lovely husband beside me.<br />
I have two children whom I love dearly and who are happy and settled with their chosen partners and to top that I have three beautiful and amazing granddaughters.</div>
<div>
How I feel is thankful. I am thankful that despite not always being in the best of health I'm still here, alive and kicking (although not very high admittedly.)<br />
</div>
<div>
A few months ago my long time childhood friend passed away very suddenly not long after her 60th birthday. My brother passed away three years ago after a short illness at only 54 yrs old. </div>
<div>
So tonight on the eve of my birthday I am thankful and happy that tomorrow I will have reached the age of sixty. I will swim in the pool here in Crete and hubby and I will go for a special meal tonight and toast absent friends and family,the ones we wish could still be here. When I return home I'm hoping for a small celebration with my family.</div>
<div>
Another hope is that when this decade comes to a close I will still be here writing about my seventieth year. Until then I rather agree with the idea that 60 is the new 40!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E02Kc_EkeYw/UVR2u2EydEI/AAAAAAAADEA/P9q9OqP2WhIAVagAQIyp-_lyJPKh0cT_gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/person0017.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="185" data-original-width="136" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E02Kc_EkeYw/UVR2u2EydEI/AAAAAAAADEA/P9q9OqP2WhIAVagAQIyp-_lyJPKh0cT_gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/person0017.gif" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-78663055327029500042017-08-17T09:00:00.000+01:002017-08-17T09:00:32.369+01:00Crete Diaries June 2017 : Boat trip, Gramvousa and Balos.A boat trip today to Gramvousa and Balos. A coach picks us up from the hotel to take us to Kissamos where we will be transferred to the boat. The coach took a few detours to pick up passengers at their various hotels. This gives us a chance to see more of the surrounding area and different hotels.<br />
<div>
Once we're all aboard it's a pleasant hours journey to Kissamos.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We arrive at the port and the penny has just dropped that we are not going on a boat cruise like the ones we usually do in Turkey where we lie on mattresses on the deck and sunbathe, no nothing like that at all. We are going on a huge ferry with hundreds of other holiday makers. My husband thought there must be about 500 on board.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The ferry journey was enjoyable and there was a self service restaurant where you could buy lunch or soft drinks. We hired a sun umbrella as we were told there was none on Balos beach.</div>
<div>
As we embark on Balos beach 500 people try to do so at the same time down two flights of stairs.</div>
<div>
We have to negotiate a very rocky uneven ground to get to the beautiful beach. </div>
<div>
It is not beautiful, it is Stoney and rocky and what sand is there is boiling hot.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We spread out towels on the rocky sand and put up the umbrella crawling under it searching for some shade. Ouch! Oh! No! Lying on stones? No way I can't have that. I'm turning sixty during this holiday, I'm far too old to be lying on a bed of stones I need a comfortable padded sunbed and preferably a large cold drink in one hand and a book in the other. No chance !</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Let's go for a swim to cool down." Getting into the water was like one of those challanges on I'm a Celebrity. First we had to cross the boiling hot sand full of sharp hot pebbles. Next came the slippery chunks of sea grass, and then the hidden holes beneath the water where I fell and jarred my knee. </div>
<div>
Before the water was quite deep enough to swim in you had to just throw yourself in. </div>
<div>
The water was ice cold. All we could do was laugh as we looked around at the amount of people in the water,on the beach perfoming the walk on hot sand dance to get to the sea. After a short swim we did the same walk again in reverse and went back to the boat. The stop there was for an hour, ha ha, we lasted about 30 mins.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w2aUh-2Et3k/WZQpSZ_NCRI/AAAAAAAAJTE/A39Eg0vDTFIWBAAa3wAK-g98uoE_BdfBACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1467300234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w2aUh-2Et3k/WZQpSZ_NCRI/AAAAAAAAJTE/A39Eg0vDTFIWBAAa3wAK-g98uoE_BdfBACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1467300234.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Balos beach.You can't see what the ground is like underwater here. I read that the earth here is always sinking and shifting so maybe that's the reason for deep holes in the water. They might have told us!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aAgFPAxeZtk/WZQpPsTxz2I/AAAAAAAAJTA/8w2YHKg0w9kKDyPaGMP5HLyK4-kbQSlpACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--979365853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aAgFPAxeZtk/WZQpPsTxz2I/AAAAAAAAJTA/8w2YHKg0w9kKDyPaGMP5HLyK4-kbQSlpACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--979365853.jpg" /></a></div>
There are ruins of a Venitian castle at the top of that hill. Needless to say I didn't attempt it but many did,maybe it was better than trying to get into the sea. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Next stop was Gramvousa, the island of pirates (I have no idea why)</div>
<div>
This we are told had a beautiful sandy beach listed as one of the best beaches in the world. It also has sunbeds. Yes, it had 15 sunbeds for our 500 plus people and the visitors who are already there when we arrive. The walk to the beach was just as bad as the first,like walking on land where there had been an earthquake and I found it very challenging.</div>
<div>
All the sunbeds were full but we lasted a bit longer here by about ten minutes. The sand was a little softer but eventually my bones were too sore to lie any longer so we went back to the ship. As I was sitting on the sand and running my hands through it I found the tiniest shells I have ever seen and I brought them home for my shell collection in my beach themed bathroom. I've just seen online that you are not allowed to take the shells from the beach. Oh well no one told me!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On the journey home we inadvertently sat behind the bench where the children's entertainer did her stuff. She was dressed as a clown with a slightly scary face and wearing glasses, she was also the most annoying person ever. She made more noise than all the children put together between blowing a high pitched whistle and screetching. The clown was making balloon animals for the children and made quite a good job of them after her third or fourth attempt at each one. I felt sorry for the parents who had to travel back to their hotel with huge balloon flamengos, dogs and swords. It would have been so much quieter if she had given them iPads.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So we have learned today that when in Greece as in Turkey make sure you know what kind of boat trip you are signing up for. Ask how many people will be on board and if you will be sunbathing on hard rocks or sunbeds. </div>
<div>
We have been disappointed a few times in both Turkey and now Crete with beaches we have been told are beautiful and turned out not to be. Imagine if they saw some of the beaches we have in the UK. The only thing we can't provide here is the sunny weather. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is the second beach the beautiful one! </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dXIUc2PQk5g/WZQpVPfeoZI/AAAAAAAAJTI/WyNg5LMXQNAROwOZ4qyiGlfUuhd6ASZ6wCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1871867718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dXIUc2PQk5g/WZQpVPfeoZI/AAAAAAAAJTI/WyNg5LMXQNAROwOZ4qyiGlfUuhd6ASZ6wCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1871867718.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aLukiORGuWw/WZQpMnRFVeI/AAAAAAAAJS8/kNH3UF_Lz_8i6XQklol9apgomq0V7JHwACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--2133740671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aLukiORGuWw/WZQpMnRFVeI/AAAAAAAAJS8/kNH3UF_Lz_8i6XQklol9apgomq0V7JHwACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--2133740671.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-91901740499075813022017-08-16T11:30:00.000+01:002017-08-16T12:23:05.012+01:00Crete Diaries; June 2017: The Old Town of Chania.Chania old town is full of charm. It has everything I like all rolled into one. Just outside the old town there is a indoor market. This building is built in the shape of a cross with butcher stalls occupying one wing,fishmongers another, fruit shops and clothes and souvenirs the other two. There are also a few cafes dotted around. I don't fancy having coffee in the one across from the fishmongers.<br />
<div>
<br />
<div>
It has been there since 1913 although they started building it in 1908. It was also occupied during the war by German soldiers,so quite a history which is why it's a listed building.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I love the smells of these markets as you move from butchery to fruit to fish and then to spices. The decoration of the stalls and the creative way everything is set out is a work of art.</div>
<div>
Oh I forgot the cheese stalls.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jbCViroEb8M/WYLgQ7L5LQI/AAAAAAAAJRE/SJeZViHvqkkc3wZYLGdl1TSb4afrvErwQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--2108878519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jbCViroEb8M/WYLgQ7L5LQI/AAAAAAAAJRE/SJeZViHvqkkc3wZYLGdl1TSb4afrvErwQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--2108878519.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ntzftv95DXM/WYLgNzHu-VI/AAAAAAAAJRA/z_HCU_ygZ3MJeSJotAzyj22-zagtEcc7ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--476607729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ntzftv95DXM/WYLgNzHu-VI/AAAAAAAAJRA/z_HCU_ygZ3MJeSJotAzyj22-zagtEcc7ACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--476607729.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fPSxFOKA694/WYLgToeFseI/AAAAAAAAJRI/A7SneM6eWBQHj6aObqm4OhnAA0rsjzRrACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1232458387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fPSxFOKA694/WYLgToeFseI/AAAAAAAAJRI/A7SneM6eWBQHj6aObqm4OhnAA0rsjzRrACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1232458387.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
And handbags...lots and lots of handbags.</div>
<div>
Walk behind the market past some designer shops then we find the old town. Each street has lots of smaller streets leading off from it and eventually leading to the Venetian Harbour looking out to sea.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As I wander through these streets the smell of leather is so strong it makes me suspicious. I know that not all these bags are leather,so do they have cans of air freshener will the smell of new leather? I wouldn't be surprised if they did. The smell draws me into those shops but as in Turkey most shopkeepers won't let you look, they want to sell,to show you things. I don't know about you but it takes forever for me to choose a handbag and what I don't need is someone in my face while I'm choosing so I came home without a new bag.</div>
<div>
The pottery and ceramic shops are in abundance. They make you wish you had more than 20 kg luggage allowance. The colours are magnificent.</div>
<div>
Other shops contain the usual souvenirs you will find in any holiday resort the world over. I suspect there is a huge factory in China making them and putting different place names on.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We enjoyed sitting having a drink in the restaurants (of which there are plenty) around the Harbour,in fact that is hubby's hand photo bombing my picture. People watching is a great pastime and you do see some sights! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Venetian Harbour was built by the Venetians probably around the years 1320/1356. Many towns around Crete have harbours like this. There is also a building that was a Mosque built in 1625 when the Turks captured Crete. It hasn't been used as a Mosque since 1923 and is now a gallery for displaying local artwork. </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s0Fs63PnteI/WYLnnOiGzbI/AAAAAAAAJRg/oHx8-XnTR7gUVL6zMwV-uq47PRnDZkQQgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1142606644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s0Fs63PnteI/WYLnnOiGzbI/AAAAAAAAJRg/oHx8-XnTR7gUVL6zMwV-uq47PRnDZkQQgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-1142606644.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OccDVXdNJPY/WYLnp3LR4fI/AAAAAAAAJRk/C7Cv83Ymj80jpb1I1iaETDNB2htGGi9CgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1692196351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OccDVXdNJPY/WYLnp3LR4fI/AAAAAAAAJRk/C7Cv83Ymj80jpb1I1iaETDNB2htGGi9CgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1692196351.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cXUAC085sy8/WYLntEErcWI/AAAAAAAAJRo/TkSJ_i3SN1A0s2HS02mO54tt2u31CpUmwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--252610622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cXUAC085sy8/WYLntEErcWI/AAAAAAAAJRo/TkSJ_i3SN1A0s2HS02mO54tt2u31CpUmwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--252610622.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ENVzSRzKP3U/WYLnjprFfII/AAAAAAAAJRc/K8HVXfODuSMKbCKkdt09S1QILqiF2hPHACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--173619644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ENVzSRzKP3U/WYLnjprFfII/AAAAAAAAJRc/K8HVXfODuSMKbCKkdt09S1QILqiF2hPHACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--173619644.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There are just as many clothes shops as there are fancy goods in both the new and old town. Some must be designer as they look very posh inside with no prices and very few rails of clothes. As I look in the window that old saying runs through my head, "If you have to ask the price you can't afford it."</div>
<div>
I see many items I can't afford! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-74707206506238429932017-07-19T16:17:00.001+01:002017-07-19T16:18:29.534+01:00Crete Diaries 2017 : Flying and ArrivingJune 2017.<div><br></div><div>I know that one day I will not want to fly again.It's not a pleasant way to travel but if you want to chase the sun you have to grin and bear it.</div><div>Flights are becoming more unbearable. Straight back hard seats, less legroom than ever before. The table that I unfold from the seat back in front of me slopes towards me, well good luck with the hot tea Anne. </div><div>I'm thinking to myself, " Whatever happened to the little string bag which usually sits below the pull down table and holds the in-flight magazine and a sick bag?"</div><div>It was a place to pop your book or magazine into and a packet of mints or glasses case. Goodness there's not enough room to move and now they've taken away our little storage place.This is the second flight we've been on that hasn't had one. The flight attendant hands a flight magazine to everyone. Ours is a bit chewed around the edges probably by a child who was bored and it's a bit sticky too but they have to flog their food,drinks and duty free goods so they don't seem to care what they are handing out to us. </div><div>At the end of the four and a half hour flight the same attendant comes to collect the magazines. Everyone seems to have done the same as us and put it on the floor at the window and they have now travelled under seats. He didn't collect many but as I leave the aircraft I see magazines scattered around the floor, lost and forgotten probably looking for the little string bags on the back of seats that used to be their home. </div><div>It will take the cleaners longer to clean the aircraft crawling around looked for the sticky, chewed magazines!</div><div><br></div><div>Our plane landed in Chania ,Crete st 6:30 pm,Greek time was 8:30pm and it was getting dark.</div><div>Our taxi ride from the airport to the hotel was only 20mins and my first thoughts on Greek soil were,</div><div>"This looks like Turkey."</div><div>Turkey,my favourite place to be, where because of recent unrest we had decided to try some other countries,last year was Malta. I don't suppose any Greek or Turkish person would be too happy at me saying they look similar but each day of our holiday we were to find more and more similarities.</div><div><br></div><div>We received a great welcome at the hotel where the manager asked if I was Scottish (I am). He said he knew because of my frequent use of the word lovely (when asked what we thought of the hotel,the view etc.) </div><div>I now find that I do say lovely if asked about how I like something. I will need to invest in a thesaurus and find some other words to replace it, I can't be stereotyped.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oDaEIModKug/WW93-MX6uSI/AAAAAAAAJP4/YZVqS48wskIDcX08m10DTXocuHj-6LkbQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-173479236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oDaEIModKug/WW93-MX6uSI/AAAAAAAAJP4/YZVqS48wskIDcX08m10DTXocuHj-6LkbQCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-173479236.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hZeORv2KvkY/WW932ZNZgCI/AAAAAAAAJPw/rAX3iocZgSYg4X1bBOBKALjc_klbmouLACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--294739367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hZeORv2KvkY/WW932ZNZgCI/AAAAAAAAJPw/rAX3iocZgSYg4X1bBOBKALjc_klbmouLACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--294739367.jpg"></a></div>The hotel sits at the top of a hill overlooking the town of Chania (pronounced Hanya )with it's sweeping Venetian harbour. What a beautiful (lovely!) view from the balcony.</div><div>A few drinks at the bar and then sleep after our long journey.</div><div>Tomorrow we will investigate Chania.</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qu2rf5owpXE/WW935vzSDoI/AAAAAAAAJP0/4pqDLIowLQ4NVNC0HNONChsIxUpciXKkACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-942733393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qu2rf5owpXE/WW935vzSDoI/AAAAAAAAJP0/4pqDLIowLQ4NVNC0HNONChsIxUpciXKkACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-942733393.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>LOVELY : beautiful,pretty,attractive,marvellous, wonderful .....</div>Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-6172121186657199152017-03-21T12:30:00.001+00:002017-03-21T12:35:06.543+00:00I've been tagged!Reading the title it sounds as if I've been let out of prison early and they're keeping an eye on me. <div>It's nothing like that of course! I've been tagged by author Valerie Poore to answer quick fire questions on my reading habits.</div><div>As you know (I hope you do) I have a book review blog at http://bookswithwineandchocolate.blogspot.co.uk</div><div>where I give what I hope is my honest opinion on the books I read. Here goes.....</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US">eBooks or physical books?</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US"><br></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Both. I love turning the pages of a physical book. I like the weight and feel of a book in my hand but we have to move with technology and I also love my kindle.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I can read in bed without disturbing my hubby. I can take as many books on holiday as my little heart desires and read in brilliant sunshine.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">With my kindle I can also balance it on my knee while I eat a sandwich and drink a cup of tea,you can't do that and turn the pages of a physical book.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US">Paperback or hardback?</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US"><br></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I love hardbacks. I like to smell them! True!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US">Online or in-store shopping?</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US"><br></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">As a book reviewer I very rarely have to buy books but when I do it's probably be online for kindle. I do however love browsing in bookshops. </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US">Trilogies or series?</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US"><br></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I enjoy a good trilogy,that way I can keep the characters in the story in my life for longer.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US">Heroes or villains?</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US"><br></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Heros every time. I have no patience for people who are vile although I know a good story usually needs a baddie I can't wait for them to come to a sticky end.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A Book You Want Everyone to Read?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Oh ...so many. That's why I review books,to shout about the good ones. Probably, The Island by Victoria Hislop.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Recommend an underrated book.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">That's a hard one but... and mainly because she's an American writer that you may not have heard of I'd say Tanya Peterson. She's written about four books now all brilliant and on the themes of, Autism,anxiety,depression and multiple personality disorder.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tanya-J.-Peterson/e/B008O742JG/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3?qid=1490096975&sr=8-3</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Weirdest thing you used as a book mark?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Although I have proper bookmarks I can never find them when I need them so really anything that's handy. Torn pieces of paper,sweet wrappers. Here's my latest made by my granddaughter. We made lots for a puppet show and I just realised they make good bookmarks.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-83GZ_XAVEtM/WNEc45YQ46I/AAAAAAAAJFg/xD3ycam3uK4/s640/blogger-image-2083743064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-83GZ_XAVEtM/WNEc45YQ46I/AAAAAAAAJFg/xD3ycam3uK4/s640/blogger-image-2083743064.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US">Used books, yes or no?</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US"><br></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">If it's a book I'll read it no matter where it comes from.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US">Top three favourite genres?</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US"><br></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">WW2 fiction, all woman's fiction,autobiographies</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The last book you finished<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Girlfriend by debut author Michelle Frances a psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. Due to be published in April.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nO2XwhoupgI/WNEcrhpPMyI/AAAAAAAAJFQ/1rioQvXEdgM/s640/blogger-image-1600662961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nO2XwhoupgI/WNEcrhpPMyI/AAAAAAAAJFQ/1rioQvXEdgM/s640/blogger-image-1600662961.jpg"></a></div>https://www.amazon.co.uk/Girlfriend-gripping-debut-psychological-thriller-ebook/dp/B01M1ENASA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1490097666&sr=8-2&keywords=The+girlfriend</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US">Characters or plot?</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US"><br></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Before I read a book I like to know the plot. Sometimes it takes a while to get to bond with the characters. Where the book is set can make a difference too.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Short or long book?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Medium! A hugely thick book can put me off.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US"><br></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US">Books that make you laugh or cry?</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US"><br></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Depends what mood I'm in. I like a good cry but I don't read books anymore that I know from the start will be heartbreaking. After a cry I like my next book to be more light hearted.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US">Our world or fictional worlds?</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US"><br></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">If it's a book it has to be our world but I enjoy fantasy films.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US">Do you ever judge a book by its cover?</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US"><br></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It's probably the cover that would attract me to the book but sometimes it has nothing to do with the story. I don't like covers that have photographs of real people on them unless it's a memoir or autobiography. I have read some books which have been good but I would never have gave then a second look in a book store.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US">Book to movie or book to TV adaptation?</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Book always. Tv or film adaptations never stick to the book and sometimes change the ending completely. So disappointing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US">Series or standalone?</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> I love a series but stand alone is fine.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US">Long or short chapters?</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> I never notice.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US">Name the first three books you think of?</span><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Well because I can see them from where I'm sitting....</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The Girl Below Stairs by Jennie Felton</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HgQcY87Zngg/WNEc1rujNgI/AAAAAAAAJFc/SCPl1BB5bXc/s640/blogger-image--1973239263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HgQcY87Zngg/WNEc1rujNgI/AAAAAAAAJFc/SCPl1BB5bXc/s640/blogger-image--1973239263.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Mussolini 's Island by Sarah Day (my next read)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vl-FYOeaDlk/WNEcuoEC0oI/AAAAAAAAJFU/IOBg7Ki4qqs/s640/blogger-image-15584527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vl-FYOeaDlk/WNEcuoEC0oI/AAAAAAAAJFU/IOBg7Ki4qqs/s640/blogger-image-15584527.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Midnight Blue by Simone Van Der Vlugt</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KoKH-meI1Y0/WNEcyqRwt0I/AAAAAAAAJFY/oUcFEuoNMw0/s640/blogger-image--216666732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KoKH-meI1Y0/WNEcyqRwt0I/AAAAAAAAJFY/oUcFEuoNMw0/s640/blogger-image--216666732.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Thank you Val for suggesting I do this,it has made me think. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">If you would like to answer these questions on your blog too just write your name in the comments and consider yourself tagged and I'll look out for your post.</span></div></div></div>Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-19648900503004739602016-12-28T17:11:00.001+00:002016-12-28T17:15:52.812+00:00Farewell to 2016<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I hope you all had a good Christmas and have ate your fill. There's only a few days left until we vow to give up fattening food and get fitter. That will probably last until February when we decide we're lovely as we are and who needs to diet?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This has been a good year for my family as our third granddaughter was welcomed when my daughter and son-in -law's first child was born in October. The joy of holding a new born baby in your arms is immense, another little person to love.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm still attending my gym and dance classes although there's no weight loss I suppose it's doing me good from the inside and my heart and lungs are healthier. Now if it could make me a size ten that would be nice. This coming year brings a big birthday for me which I'll be celebrating in Crete so if I can't loose some pounds for that there's no hope for me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">In the wider world what a year this has been. It began with the sad death of David Bowie and ends with the deaths of </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">George Michael and Carrie Fisher. The months inbetween saw us losing more and more of our favourite people from the world of the big screen, the small screen and music and books. I'm not going to list them for fear of leaving someone out but most of us will have lost an idol from our youth who made life a little bit better for us whether it be with their humour or their music. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">With the passing of each one of them we were shocked.</span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">My personal favourite people were George Michael, Alan Rickman, Victoria Wood and Denise Roberson (This Morning agony aunt)</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">This year terrorism has held us in it's grip as each month brought another tragedy and we remember, Brussels,Belguim,Istanbul,Nice, Orlando and Berlin and the people who lost their lives there and others whose lives have been changed forever because of it.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">In June we in the UK voted to leave the European Market and in doing so gained a new Prime Minister,let's hope the good sense of a woman can sort this country out as we withdraw from Europe.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">While we get a snappy dresser for PM, America gets Donald Trump and I think we should be afraid ...very afraid!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">We can't leave 2016 without thinking of the humanitarian tragedy that is taking place in Aleppo. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Each day the reported news gets worse and the videos and photographs more harrowing. A city crumbling to dust and it's people trampled on. When will it all end?</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">If only we had the recipe for peace. If only we could make the terrorist lay down his guns and his bombs. If only the sight of happy families shopping at Christmas or having fun on holiday could seep into their hearts and stop them from destroying it. If only.....</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"> All we can do is enter this new year 2017 with hope and optimism that the world will one day be a better place.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Best wishes to all my readers for a happy and peaceful New Year.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1CDDMl49jhE/WGPywzbrmII/AAAAAAAAI8Q/hgl977oq_6k/s640/blogger-image--1584271738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1CDDMl49jhE/WGPywzbrmII/AAAAAAAAI8Q/hgl977oq_6k/s640/blogger-image--1584271738.jpg"></a></div><br></font><div><div><br></div></div></div>Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-55742639941514410932016-12-08T14:56:00.001+00:002016-12-08T15:42:06.426+00:00Malta Diaries 2016: The Last Outing,Marsaxlokk.<div>I'm squeezing in one last diary post before Christmas.</div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The last place we visited was a picturesque fishing village in the south east of Malta called Marsaxlokk.</span></div><div>I have no idea how to pronounce it, I just say it as it sounds.</div><div>Once again we took a bus to Valletta where we caught another bus. This is the way to see Malta.</div><div>When we arrived at our destination what struck us straightaway was how quiet it was, where had everyone gone? </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qT36jKMckS4/WEl0hI8gvII/AAAAAAAAI6Y/bHhqlbHjmX8/s640/blogger-image--2119896214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qT36jKMckS4/WEl0hI8gvII/AAAAAAAAI6Y/bHhqlbHjmX8/s640/blogger-image--2119896214.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We had coffee and cake outside a cafe in the main square across from the church. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f5Zq8FUPmfo/WEl0WVBaizI/AAAAAAAAI6I/kdbZBB6mmI8/s640/blogger-image--1293420551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f5Zq8FUPmfo/WEl0WVBaizI/AAAAAAAAI6I/kdbZBB6mmI8/s640/blogger-image--1293420551.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gGe3tTM85FA/WEl0YvwUz0I/AAAAAAAAI6M/WMYwxcQASFg/s640/blogger-image-169630735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gGe3tTM85FA/WEl0YvwUz0I/AAAAAAAAI6M/WMYwxcQASFg/s640/blogger-image-169630735.jpg"></a></div>They closed the church doors before we could have a look inside.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7knZI9BF-M0/WEl0eZsq6RI/AAAAAAAAI6U/YqqwLuSBiY8/s640/blogger-image-1736237210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7knZI9BF-M0/WEl0eZsq6RI/AAAAAAAAI6U/YqqwLuSBiY8/s640/blogger-image-1736237210.jpg"></a></div>The church, Our Lady of Pompei dates back to 1890</div><div><br></div><div>Marsaxlokk is famous for the brightly painted fishing boats called Luzzus. If you look at photos online they look lovely but when we visited there didn't seem to be very many about.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ppHUA4T2O-s/WEl9TGaOFdI/AAAAAAAAI60/o78h-Ai5j94/s640/blogger-image-108788100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ppHUA4T2O-s/WEl9TGaOFdI/AAAAAAAAI60/o78h-Ai5j94/s640/blogger-image-108788100.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t6wBAxx-Cgg/WEl9LjCMYhI/AAAAAAAAI6o/p0GmuKSWrtc/s640/blogger-image--2075690704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t6wBAxx-Cgg/WEl9LjCMYhI/AAAAAAAAI6o/p0GmuKSWrtc/s640/blogger-image--2075690704.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I loved the bronze statues of a father returning from a fishing trip being met by his little boy who has a little toy fishing boat of his own. Also the cat looking for some fish to eat.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U4LFI-bgqGI/WEl0Tl2w-SI/AAAAAAAAI6E/zTINNm2Be_o/s640/blogger-image--2098536708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U4LFI-bgqGI/WEl0Tl2w-SI/AAAAAAAAI6E/zTINNm2Be_o/s640/blogger-image--2098536708.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-enWBUyDWGWw/WEl0b2_YneI/AAAAAAAAI6Q/B2QZUK35_xM/s640/blogger-image-1257109485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-enWBUyDWGWw/WEl0b2_YneI/AAAAAAAAI6Q/B2QZUK35_xM/s640/blogger-image-1257109485.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-19SjFq-gCi4/WEl0RFksb0I/AAAAAAAAI6A/bHhSNa7cGX0/s640/blogger-image--1344776126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-19SjFq-gCi4/WEl0RFksb0I/AAAAAAAAI6A/bHhSNa7cGX0/s640/blogger-image--1344776126.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Look at the streets! No crowds! It was bliss for a while but empty restaurants and cafes are boring </div><div>( I know! There's no pleasing me.) We did find a market where I managed to find gifts for my granddaughters which were homemade so I was quite pleased.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fg_2RipGUHU/WEl9QxAGLRI/AAAAAAAAI6w/Kp0HgLE674g/s640/blogger-image-553118896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fg_2RipGUHU/WEl9QxAGLRI/AAAAAAAAI6w/Kp0HgLE674g/s640/blogger-image-553118896.jpg"></a></div>I think these are really cute. The girls store their purses and play phones and a host of other things in the pockets for when they next come to stay.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>My eyes were drawn to these colourful doors. I couldn't get the whole row in the photo but there are lots of photos on them online. I was curious as to when and why they were first painted. Did the residents get together and say," Let's make this a tourist attraction?" Do they repaint them every year? </div><div>I asked myself these questions then I asked Google. It seems they are quayside apartments for the holiday rental market. So now I know.....tourist attraction! </div><div>They even have a pull down screen to prevent the paint being damaged by the sun......clever! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PAj0-LwX0c4/WEl9JfwxstI/AAAAAAAAI6k/NUQ_l8gh5Zk/s640/blogger-image--1788636579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PAj0-LwX0c4/WEl9JfwxstI/AAAAAAAAI6k/NUQ_l8gh5Zk/s640/blogger-image--1788636579.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>A not so well looked after old door and tiny window, but I love it! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P5vJfDzA-xM/WEl9VyARtdI/AAAAAAAAI64/BTmtxBmJ96I/s640/blogger-image--1019949700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P5vJfDzA-xM/WEl9VyARtdI/AAAAAAAAI64/BTmtxBmJ96I/s640/blogger-image--1019949700.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We caught the bus back to Valletta and spent some more time wandering around the capital,my favourite place in Malta.</div><div>When we returned to the bustling St Julians the streets were being decorated for another celebration, St Julian's Day. We would miss this by a few days which is such as shame as we would have had a great view from our balcony especially of the planned fireworks display. We did manage to see the local band practising as they marched past our front door.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iOqkyy5DVU4/WEl9OJlCl0I/AAAAAAAAI6s/JMVexalPTwU/s640/blogger-image-1548601340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iOqkyy5DVU4/WEl9OJlCl0I/AAAAAAAAI6s/JMVexalPTwU/s640/blogger-image-1548601340.jpg"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B7jHZ3TL7tk/WEl9YQ1gsOI/AAAAAAAAI68/LgYnwWUSrU4/s640/blogger-image-1258293267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B7jHZ3TL7tk/WEl9YQ1gsOI/AAAAAAAAI68/LgYnwWUSrU4/s640/blogger-image-1258293267.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've enjoyed writing these diaries. I didn't realise we had seen so much of the country until I started writing. My advice to anyone who wants to visit would be, don't go in July or August,too hot and too busy. So goodbye Malta,next year my holiday diaries will be from Chania in Crete.</div>Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-89763100985190998622016-11-07T16:47:00.001+00:002016-11-15T16:25:56.549+00:00Malta Diaries 2016: The MdinaAnother popular tourist attraction is Mdina which is the ancient capital of Malta. Named The Silent City because of the lack of interest in it when Valetta became the capital. All the ministerial offices and the people who worked in them moved to the new capital and today only 250 people live there within its walls in a space of 0.9 sq km. <div>The only cars allowed through he gates are of residents. </div><div>We took a bus to the huge bus station at Valletta and another bus from there to Mdina. Traveling by bus in Malta is so easy. </div><div>Once again like Valleta the Mdina was really busy when we visited. There was a lot of parked cars which spoiled taking photos. The streets were narrow as expected and when the noisy clip clip of the horse drawn carriages passed by ringing their bell you had to press yourself against the nearest wall to save being trampled. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>The fortified walls of Mdina</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CZlnsMUpLpE/WCCv7M2-2oI/AAAAAAAAI1A/5WDalfya6yE/s640/blogger-image--674542966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CZlnsMUpLpE/WCCv7M2-2oI/AAAAAAAAI1A/5WDalfya6yE/s640/blogger-image--674542966.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U_CE1h2gOOE/WCCvrzCApGI/AAAAAAAAI0o/zdtS3i_kxsg/s640/blogger-image-1528070964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U_CE1h2gOOE/WCCvrzCApGI/AAAAAAAAI0o/zdtS3i_kxsg/s640/blogger-image-1528070964.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I did manage to take a photo of one of the streets without tourists.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r3_ODJSMfgI/WCCv2AnlJgI/AAAAAAAAI04/-L1GibgwnBs/s640/blogger-image--881570597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r3_ODJSMfgI/WCCv2AnlJgI/AAAAAAAAI04/-L1GibgwnBs/s640/blogger-image--881570597.jpg"></a></div>At night the streets are lit with gas lamps and it's quieter. I would think it quite an eerie place to live but living surrounded by all that history would be amazing.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eP84KGddstM/WCCvmkFvvBI/AAAAAAAAI0g/qFLtpAEyv7o/s640/blogger-image-1914913117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eP84KGddstM/WCCvmkFvvBI/AAAAAAAAI0g/qFLtpAEyv7o/s640/blogger-image-1914913117.jpg"></a></div>The Mdina has churches,cathedrals, museums and at least one nunnery. I think the largest cathedral is St Pauls. They were opened for visiting at different times but an entrance fee has to be paid for everything and it can get quite expensive. </div><div>The nunnery of St Bennidict where twenty nuns still reside is a closed order where the nuns spend their days in prayer. The nuns never leave even when they die they are buried in the crypt. The only men allowed in are the doctor and the decorator. The doctor I can understand but a decorator? </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cOLfyMLREQM/WCCv9igVhwI/AAAAAAAAI1E/4EEIQkQ-3vI/s640/blogger-image--1639256037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cOLfyMLREQM/WCCv9igVhwI/AAAAAAAAI1E/4EEIQkQ-3vI/s640/blogger-image--1639256037.jpg"></a></div>I think<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> this is one of the Windows to the nunnery. I'm not sure if it's one that is not used now or the Benadictine one. </span></div><div><br></div><div>If you love history then you'll adore Malta. My advice would be to read as much as you can before you go and don't go in the height of summer. </div><div><br></div><div>Some more of the Mdina.</div><div><br></div><div>The stairs to nowhere.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mxg9hZQh8rM/WCs2nR8eH_I/AAAAAAAAI14/9-88skhM-sY/s640/blogger-image--170027152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mxg9hZQh8rM/WCs2nR8eH_I/AAAAAAAAI14/9-88skhM-sY/s640/blogger-image--170027152.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div><br></div>I forgot to say there are lovely eating places here and here are views I took from one of the restaurants.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cYxblVrdD6o/WCCvz0xrkCI/AAAAAAAAI00/iGKh7bhjPn0/s640/blogger-image-1582537779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cYxblVrdD6o/WCCvz0xrkCI/AAAAAAAAI00/iGKh7bhjPn0/s640/blogger-image-1582537779.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wmIacRbGCIk/WCCvukzkayI/AAAAAAAAI0s/LDGzLQnJ3n0/s640/blogger-image-786743676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wmIacRbGCIk/WCCvukzkayI/AAAAAAAAI0s/LDGzLQnJ3n0/s640/blogger-image-786743676.jpg"></a></div>And my favourite ...old doors.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xeR_l7-w43w/WCCvxNB0X0I/AAAAAAAAI0w/nqvJd3oT3BI/s640/blogger-image-1566527723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xeR_l7-w43w/WCCvxNB0X0I/AAAAAAAAI0w/nqvJd3oT3BI/s640/blogger-image-1566527723.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0r991VV08ro/WCCv4uOoPLI/AAAAAAAAI08/Fho1i-RR_sE/s640/blogger-image--471152400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0r991VV08ro/WCCv4uOoPLI/AAAAAAAAI08/Fho1i-RR_sE/s640/blogger-image--471152400.jpg"></a></div>Many doors like this with a fish or whale.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8ConATCpm5g/WCCwCVfubYI/AAAAAAAAI1M/t4qxCOPtw-Y/s640/blogger-image-1626371817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8ConATCpm5g/WCCwCVfubYI/AAAAAAAAI1M/t4qxCOPtw-Y/s640/blogger-image-1626371817.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zwd76vsDUUE/WCCvpatZq6I/AAAAAAAAI0k/BxDKyrUlNeQ/s640/blogger-image-19142442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zwd76vsDUUE/WCCvpatZq6I/AAAAAAAAI0k/BxDKyrUlNeQ/s640/blogger-image-19142442.jpg"></a></div>Mdina is such an interesting place to visit. It's like time has stood still here. I still think without the cars it would be much better, and I'm not too keen on the horse and carts either. There are very few shops here , just a tourist information centre and a few souvenir shops.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm left wondering... What kind of people live within the city? Have the properties maybe been in their family for generations? Are they permitted to sell the houses ? What price would they sell for? What would it be like to live within a tourist attraction? I wish we had gone back at night to experience it in the dark with fewer tourists and gas lit streets.</div><div>If you google Mdina you will find ore information and much better photos than I could take with my iPad. I really must take my camera when I next go on holiday. I must find out how to work my camera first! </div>Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-11213147887681007482016-11-07T12:49:00.001+00:002016-11-07T15:22:09.567+00:00Malta Diaries 2016 : Gozo<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One of the trips I wanted to do in Malta was a boat trip to Gozo. We could have went on our own by a large ferry and then take a bus to the capital, Victoria but we decided on a smaller boat trip.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We caught a bus from St Julians to Bugibba. We had been here a few days before to book a seat on the boat. I felt this place was very commercialized and a bit like a very old British seaside resort. There is a sea life centre here which although we didn't go to see the sea life we did sample it's lovely restaurant. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Qawra which is next door to Bugibba looked a bit more upmarket. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Back to the boat! When I say small it wasn't like boats trip we had taken in Turkey where there are maybe fifteen people at the very most on board and mattresses are provided for sunbathing. Lunch is always provided on the Turkish trips and bathing in the sea is usually done at a quiet cove. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This boat in Malta was big,filled with rows of wooded seats and filled with people. Food, filled rolls, chips and drinks could be bought onboard from a kiosk but it was a reasonable price and okay. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The boat stopped at a blue lagoon and we had a swim but when other boats arrived the water became too crowded to be enjoyed. On we went to Gozo. We opted for the mini bus tour which would drop us off in Victoria and come back to collect us,stopping at Dwejra Bay where we were taken in a much smaller boat to see the azure window and other rock formations. I'm not a fan of very small canoe like boats filled with excited holiday makers but I survived and took these photos, between the heads of the excited holiday makers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1cdsq3564XI/WCB4QmrcGeI/AAAAAAAAI0Q/G74YYtgYvis/s640/blogger-image--272454943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1cdsq3564XI/WCB4QmrcGeI/AAAAAAAAI0Q/G74YYtgYvis/s640/blogger-image--272454943.jpg"></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is a natural rock formation of Maltese limestone created after two limestone sea caves collapsed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The arch is 92 ft high but With sea erosion the window has become bigger over the years. One day it's beauty will be gone. The sea here is such a deep vibrant blue. I took these photos with an iPad and it loses some of the true colour. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hcff-Ot5tG4/WCB4KuG9V2I/AAAAAAAAI0I/xUNBD3fzWPE/s640/blogger-image--1477648207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hcff-Ot5tG4/WCB4KuG9V2I/AAAAAAAAI0I/xUNBD3fzWPE/s640/blogger-image--1477648207.jpg"></a></div>The bus we rode in and an American jeep I took a liking to.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This was the spot where we picked up the small boat to view the assure window.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KuYS7tcJxFo/WCB4HvsvBPI/AAAAAAAAI0E/CRYMQ9bU_50/s640/blogger-image-13738745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KuYS7tcJxFo/WCB4HvsvBPI/AAAAAAAAI0E/CRYMQ9bU_50/s640/blogger-image-13738745.jpg"></a></div>Going into a cave.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NKMdvds8ZOs/WCB4CVFoTeI/AAAAAAAAIz8/TXYvbdLD8q0/s640/blogger-image--1376087673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NKMdvds8ZOs/WCB4CVFoTeI/AAAAAAAAIz8/TXYvbdLD8q0/s640/blogger-image--1376087673.jpg"></a></div>The guide pointed out shapes in the rocks. For some you had to look very hard and use your imagination but I think this next photo speaks for itself and is a bit scary.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vg2SFqYgwxc/WCB3_M2lGAI/AAAAAAAAIz4/QNls8va_vLE/s640/blogger-image--1097839966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vg2SFqYgwxc/WCB3_M2lGAI/AAAAAAAAIz4/QNls8va_vLE/s640/blogger-image--1097839966.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The driver dropped us off in the Capital of Gozo,Victoria. He ( kindly) stopped at the bottom of a steep hill and pointed to the top where there was a very interesting church to visit. Needless to say we didn't get to the top and the church but found the nearest cafe for a cold drink, and a look around the market. it was very,very hot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2S3mJHWblhw/WCB4FPAGipI/AAAAAAAAI0A/5uQyKVBPe2I/s640/blogger-image--491086443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2S3mJHWblhw/WCB4FPAGipI/AAAAAAAAI0A/5uQyKVBPe2I/s640/blogger-image--491086443.jpg"></a></div>I liked Victoria but there wasn't enough time to fully explore it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Everywhere we went in Malta towns were either preparing to celebrate a saint's day or had just finished their celebrations. Gozo was no exception and as we waited outside a police station for the bus to return I passed my time by watching the decorations being taken down. There must have been about ten or more men and women involved in this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EopHl0LiY5E/WCB4Nz90e_I/AAAAAAAAI0M/El71rPrbgLk/s640/blogger-image--1327375499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EopHl0LiY5E/WCB4Nz90e_I/AAAAAAAAI0M/El71rPrbgLk/s640/blogger-image--1327375499.jpg"></a></div>As we moved around Malta I wondered if these street decorations move from town to town or does each town have it's own? They are very large so I wonder where they're stored ? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-23537943441127531962016-10-24T12:58:00.001+01:002016-10-24T13:09:29.101+01:00Malta Diaries 2016: The Capital, VallettaValletta, the capital of Malta was built in 1566 by the Knights of the Order of St John and named after it's grand master. It took 15 yrs to build and taking into consideration that there was no mechanical tools to help with the build it was no mean feat.<br />
<div>
Valletta is a walled city and a fort containing magnificent churches and buildings. </div>
<div>
It is very busy as it is a a place where many people live and work and also has many, many visitors daily. Designer shops mix with shops selling souvenir tat and there's even a Marks and Spencer. It is now a world heritage city.</div>
<div>
I loved this place so much we visited three times during our holiday.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GF0e_A5dQRg/WAzHTthQDjI/AAAAAAAAIwM/1T4KLQWhREI/s640/blogger-image--1846645599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GF0e_A5dQRg/WAzHTthQDjI/AAAAAAAAIwM/1T4KLQWhREI/s640/blogger-image--1846645599.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You can't take your car through the city gates and all the cars here are owned by the people who live in the city. Of course shops and cafes have to have deliveries so there are many vans driving about too. </div>
<div>
To enjoy Valletta you have to put your blinkers on and ignore the crowds and parked cars and look up at the buildings and the architecture and think yourself back into another age. I would love to have been here in the evening when it is dark. It seems it's lovely,quiet and low key. You will find me repeating myself when I tell you in another post about the ancient capital of Malta know as The Silent City.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OtzXk_ukztY/WA33Bd5Lo4I/AAAAAAAAIxs/A5Ogz4ydCH0/s640/blogger-image--128869916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OtzXk_ukztY/WA33Bd5Lo4I/AAAAAAAAIxs/A5Ogz4ydCH0/s640/blogger-image--128869916.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
On our first visit we stopped for a drink at seats outside a <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">cafe in a large square. We met the boldest pigeons we have ever seen landing on tables trying to steal food from plates. I'm so glad we were only having a drink. Another visit and we sat outside a cafe in a little side street. It was quiet and peaceful and I spotted a door up high with a cute little balcony. I wasn't the only one who photographed it.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kAxsZUWIx44/WAzHWHxEg2I/AAAAAAAAIwQ/FEFWhqWTQZ4/s640/blogger-image-905285273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kAxsZUWIx44/WAzHWHxEg2I/AAAAAAAAIwQ/FEFWhqWTQZ4/s640/blogger-image-905285273.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
On our first visit we watched a film about the history of Malta and went for a tour of the war museum which dated back to the 1500's. I won't bore you with it all but it's amazing how many different countries have occupied Malta at some time in history. Our guide told us that if The Knights Of St John hadn't defeated the Turkish she would be talking to us as a Muslin woman. It could easily gave gone either way.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What fascinated me the most was the tour of the Knights hospital. The Knights Hospitallers were primary a nursing order (only men) . They began in Jerusalem in 1080 in a hospital ran by monks. They treated everyone no matter of creed or colour. During the many wars they travelled from country to country sometimes having to fight for the survival of that country. They moved to Malta in 1565 and signs that they were there can be seen all over the island. The eight point Malteese cross came from the cross wore on the knight's uniform and is also the sign we see on St John's Ambulances. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZY-QSZSTyKs/WA33TdruoEI/AAAAAAAAIyI/W7o5fnuV81A/s640/blogger-image-1519853933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZY-QSZSTyKs/WA33TdruoEI/AAAAAAAAIyI/W7o5fnuV81A/s640/blogger-image-1519853933.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N--HLk1qBXk/WA33WuYmQYI/AAAAAAAAIyM/6k0tMV7qnIw/s640/blogger-image-521834843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N--HLk1qBXk/WA33WuYmQYI/AAAAAAAAIyM/6k0tMV7qnIw/s640/blogger-image-521834843.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The top photo was the longest hospital ward in Europe during the 16 th/17th century it held 297 beds.</div>
<div>
Each bed had a canopy hanging from above it. Different coloured canopies depicted what illness the occupant was suffering from. Between each bed was a little alcove containing a toilet these were covered by ornate tapestries for privacy. There were drains under the toilets and even a ventilation system with went out into the gardens which were planted with orange and lemon trees to mask the smell.</div>
<div>
People using this ward were usually rich and had to pay. The poorer patients were housed two floors down and entered through a tunnel probably so they didn't come in contact with the rich. The ward for them was similar but with three patients to each bed and three to each toilet. This is slightly better then the hospitals I have stayed in where four patients shared each toilet, but at least we had a bed to ourselves.</div>
<div>
Salt,honey,and turpentine were used to disinfect wounds and because of the wars most wounds were amputations performed by saw or guillotine.</div>
<div>
The long ward in the first photo was being renovated and beams were being replaced. It is now used as a conference centre and for weddings.The second photo is of a smaller ward where you can see the tapestries covering the alcoves where the toilets were. No women were allowed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Views from the city.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2wGe7rqrFJA/WA33Q1cJUGI/AAAAAAAAIyE/4f6PxjsmAeg/s640/blogger-image--770240643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2wGe7rqrFJA/WA33Q1cJUGI/AAAAAAAAIyE/4f6PxjsmAeg/s640/blogger-image--770240643.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2Q0eJVY4wZw/WA33D88KR9I/AAAAAAAAIxw/-mOUoX_caAM/s640/blogger-image-2130174842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2Q0eJVY4wZw/WA33D88KR9I/AAAAAAAAIxw/-mOUoX_caAM/s640/blogger-image-2130174842.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
And the streets</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ll_-srKBLS4/WA33JJGBE-I/AAAAAAAAIx4/7Z1vhxXXo8A/s640/blogger-image--1501128268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ll_-srKBLS4/WA33JJGBE-I/AAAAAAAAIx4/7Z1vhxXXo8A/s640/blogger-image--1501128268.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YWAZUk97pns/WA33GbzXCvI/AAAAAAAAIx0/6L2auIPd_6A/s640/blogger-image--1958142297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YWAZUk97pns/WA33GbzXCvI/AAAAAAAAIx0/6L2auIPd_6A/s640/blogger-image--1958142297.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
I love<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> this photo of the washing on the line. Life goes on visitors or no visitors! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
I saw this plaque on the wall of a building.</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CAX6lmd4CRA/WA33N7KjkkI/AAAAAAAAIyA/rvnragkGojM/s640/blogger-image--460178448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CAX6lmd4CRA/WA33N7KjkkI/AAAAAAAAIyA/rvnragkGojM/s640/blogger-image--460178448.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
The poet lived here for two years although it only says one on the plaque. He worked as secretary to the governor but was really here to get his health back and withdraw from opium.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And last but not least.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6fHzSuyBTI4/WA33LfATVaI/AAAAAAAAIx8/Fr7HMyROpVo/s640/blogger-image--213058635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6fHzSuyBTI4/WA33LfATVaI/AAAAAAAAIx8/Fr7HMyROpVo/s640/blogger-image--213058635.jpg" /></a></div>
If you can enlarge this last photo it's a letter from King George V1 awarding the George Cross to Malta after the Second World War. The cross is there also. </div>
Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-40073867641442695552016-10-02T15:55:00.001+01:002016-10-02T18:36:24.342+01:00Malta Diaries : Finding Our Way Around.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
We decided to explore. The easiest way of doing this is by bus for a few reasons. The driving is a bit mad and busy and there was no where nearby to park a hired car,so the bus it was. We purchased a weekly bus pass for €12 each, this gave us unlimited travel on all buses. The normal single fare is €1.50 but this ticket can be used again and again within a three hour time frame. This proved to be useful to us during our second week when we only had occasional bus trips as to go to most places we had to get the bus to the large bus station in Valetta and then get another one.<br />
<div>
The buses are all single decker and air conditioned which was wonderful. They were also very busy and it was not always possible to sit down for the whole journey. </div>
<div>
I moaned about the hills in my last post but we could walk along the seafront which is flat into Sliema passing many restaurants along the way as well as a few swimming pools which were attached to restaurants or swimming clubs. For €12 euro you could use the pool and sun beds all day but it did get very busy in the afternoon and that's when I turned into Mrs Grumpy. Does no one teach their children that it's rude to jump in the pool front of someone when they're swimming? I despair! </div>
<div>
Here are some photos on the way to and in Sliema.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MuuWaSITHh8/V_Eiu_V3qaI/AAAAAAAAIu4/nrxs6AWXkX8/s640/blogger-image--434064809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MuuWaSITHh8/V_Eiu_V3qaI/AAAAAAAAIu4/nrxs6AWXkX8/s640/blogger-image--434064809.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tq3p2Y3s0ak/V_EqdRT1oYI/AAAAAAAAIvQ/wjAo_YrsM8Y/s640/blogger-image-308435038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tq3p2Y3s0ak/V_EqdRT1oYI/AAAAAAAAIvQ/wjAo_YrsM8Y/s640/blogger-image-308435038.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
Back in St Julians again and one of the things I have noticed is there are cranes everywhere, I'm surrounded by them. Not the feathered kind I'm afraid but ugly steel industrial cranes. In fact if I stood at the seafront outside our apartment and turned 360 deg I can count about 12 cranes. Which goes to prove how much building work is still going on. Or perhaps they just can't be bothered removing them.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GNdm6UYUqv8/V_EmyV-jotI/AAAAAAAAIvE/hQeud8oOvL8/s640/blogger-image-746534614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GNdm6UYUqv8/V_EmyV-jotI/AAAAAAAAIvE/hQeud8oOvL8/s640/blogger-image-746534614.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After spending many days gazing out from the balcony I spotted a little piece of history on the other side of the harbour. We were told that some of the restaurants here are in what used to be boathouses or boatyards and some have kept the original doors. I spotted what looks like the front of a mini castle right in the middle of modern buildings. I have enlarged the photo so you can see. The tall building on the left is an office block and the tallest in Malta.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DoaliSnRCsA/V_Em01OHP-I/AAAAAAAAIvI/FZxasXxpeMM/s640/blogger-image-1447393650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DoaliSnRCsA/V_Em01OHP-I/AAAAAAAAIvI/FZxasXxpeMM/s640/blogger-image-1447393650.jpg" /></a></div>
Do you see it? Next to the white apartments . I wonder what it's like inside.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There is a piece of artwork at the corner of the harbour. It's an upside down LOVE sign. I didn't know the reason why it was upside down until I came home but they say you have to look at its reflection in the water and will see it the right way up. Now the sea isn't always calm and there are ripples and other boats tied up there and you can't always see the letters, but they say you can't always see love,it's always there but sometimes you can't spot it if the sea isn't calm enough. Altogether now...aweeee!!!!</div>
<div>
The railings and bollards near the sign are covered in padlocks, put there by young lovers who then throw the key in the sea so that no one can't unlock the padlock and they'll always be in love....I know! You'll be in tears soon. Here are the photos!</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CQE6Z9vZweo/V_ErptpIMtI/AAAAAAAAIvU/UMq_PrjIPrA/s640/blogger-image--1614068908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CQE6Z9vZweo/V_ErptpIMtI/AAAAAAAAIvU/UMq_PrjIPrA/s640/blogger-image--1614068908.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tsZ1h7NmyeE/V_Ervq9CBrI/AAAAAAAAIvc/N4i9Y5476jU/s640/blogger-image--1726311075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tsZ1h7NmyeE/V_Ervq9CBrI/AAAAAAAAIvc/N4i9Y5476jU/s640/blogger-image--1726311075.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jUyANYb0RPk/V_Ers5wy2-I/AAAAAAAAIvY/IphwjxzSvDQ/s640/blogger-image--67659320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jUyANYb0RPk/V_Ers5wy2-I/AAAAAAAAIvY/IphwjxzSvDQ/s640/blogger-image--67659320.jpg" /></a></div>
I wonder if the owners of the padlocks are all still together.</div>
Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3453833569907892604.post-77500793805693623072016-09-24T13:14:00.000+01:002016-09-24T13:14:12.489+01:00Malta Diaries 2016- First Impressions <span id="goog_497757318"></span><span id="goog_497757319"></span>Someone told me,"People either love Malta or hate it" Well for me that wasn't true as I am somewhere in between. We did visit in August, the busiest and hottest time of the year. I obviously didn't do my research very well. It was so very busy. I longed for open spaces,for trees and hills, but we saw none of that.<br />
<div>
We stayed at Spinola Bay which is in St Julians. We rented and apartment on the main road with an amazing view. No matter what time of the night you looked out of the window you would see people walking up and down the road. Maybe nightclubers walking home. Then about six am the joggers and runners and power walkers were out in force. </div>
<div>
We didn't know that the entrance to our apartment wasn't on the Main Street but behind the building which meant climbing a hill up to it. I don't do hills,I really don't and 14 days later climbing that hill didn't get any easier.</div>
<div>
On our first day we jumped on a bus tour to give us some idea of our surroundings. It was so long and we had only seen a small corner of Malta. Here are some photos.</div>
<div>
The lovely views across Spinola Bay and our apartment ringed in red.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CVBdakbZdco/V-VHZUnE9jI/AAAAAAAAIss/DTJ3ivK6KV0/s640/blogger-image-153125196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CVBdakbZdco/V-VHZUnE9jI/AAAAAAAAIss/DTJ3ivK6KV0/s640/blogger-image-153125196.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jehl10sO5CQ/V-VMgEpp77I/AAAAAAAAItI/hbkVtofz540/s640/blogger-image-1153559560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jehl10sO5CQ/V-VMgEpp77I/AAAAAAAAItI/hbkVtofz540/s640/blogger-image-1153559560.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yZlMTNfDono/V-VHWhCKALI/AAAAAAAAIso/fKu64f_hzyU/s640/blogger-image-1706715094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yZlMTNfDono/V-VHWhCKALI/AAAAAAAAIso/fKu64f_hzyU/s640/blogger-image-1706715094.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UQB1KNOjR9o/V-VHT04f-jI/AAAAAAAAIsk/TgTvnKPnI_M/s640/blogger-image-162373315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UQB1KNOjR9o/V-VHT04f-jI/AAAAAAAAIsk/TgTvnKPnI_M/s640/blogger-image-162373315.jpg" /></a></div>
The bus tour passed by Valletta the capital of Malta which we loved and visited a few times and Mdina The silent city which is the historical capital. Here are a few photos taken from the bus.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GHTPAU5OJb8/V-VMdVHN-wI/AAAAAAAAItE/BYZTZHrGgnk/s640/blogger-image--1587303813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GHTPAU5OJb8/V-VMdVHN-wI/AAAAAAAAItE/BYZTZHrGgnk/s640/blogger-image--1587303813.jpg" /></a></div>
This is the walls of Valletta and the next photo is of a huge cruise ship I was very impressed with and wanted to be on.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TAA1ySHOwes/V-VMXn4mg5I/AAAAAAAAIs8/TqHV4lfEnxE/s640/blogger-image--272944274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TAA1ySHOwes/V-VMXn4mg5I/AAAAAAAAIs8/TqHV4lfEnxE/s640/blogger-image--272944274.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
This bus wouldn't move for me to get a better photo. The interesting thing about this church and I think every church in Malta is that it has two clocks. One clock is set to the right time and the other stays at the same time,sometimes the second one is just painted on. The reason behind this is to confuse the devil if he comes to earth. Hmmm! Hope it works. Well this is only day one. I'm using an iPad app to write my posts as I can't get my photos loaded onto PC so I hope it works.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UpblnIsImHM/V-VMafv_y0I/AAAAAAAAItA/MaES2JffEGE/s640/blogger-image--1887514209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UpblnIsImHM/V-VMafv_y0I/AAAAAAAAItA/MaES2JffEGE/s640/blogger-image--1887514209.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anne Macklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04635857544175826537noreply@blogger.com0