After posting yesterdays blog, I retired to bed, expecting a night of tossing, turning and meat-induced stomach “challenges”, but after perhaps a half of Bomonti more than advised, I slept really well.
In the early hours however, when people of a certain age are required to wake up and go for a wee, it became evident that the water supply had gone off. It happens occasionally here. And it’s a minor inconvenience. Turns out the pump up to the valley failed & Ova, His & Olu were all down. Ey well.
Fell properly asleep after that nature call, and next thing I’d missed my call to prayer and it was 10am (8am in real money) so not massively “late” but shows I’d make a terrible devout Muslim.
Jane & I headed downstairs & rustled up a “proper holiday breakfast”, my definition of which is as follows:
- good coffee (none of that South American nonsense – must be from further east of Kolkata)
- water (pref. carbonated)
- local bread
- something local that you’ve not had before (where possible)
- local meats (where possible)
- English crumbly cheese (requirement)
- Warm & dry Outdoor seating (should not be a chore)
- A decent view (where possible)
My “not had before” was the Ayram, a cold savory yogurt-based beverage. It’s very refreshing, and also something that didn’t get passed Jane’s “smell test”.
I’ve got a feeling that, given Jane then got her crochet set out, this will be a day of little excitement. Sorry readers!
To try to spice this monologue up, I decided today would be the day to assist our host by removing a now-vacated birds nest that had been surreptitiously built on top of the boiler (situated on a secured, covered balcony).
What could possibly go wrong – me balancing on plastic outdoor chairs that would barely support my weight and girth*, flailing a broom handle around, whilst holding a cardboard box, lined with a bin bag. Tom cruise isn’t the only one to do all of his own stunts, you know.
As I’m a versatile chap, it seems I now need to add “removal of low level birds nests” to my LinkedIn profile. It went well, with only a minor spattering of avian flu on my face and hands.
Mission Possible accomplished, and a quick detox later, we headed down to the pool, where the first thing I did was load the pool bar fridge with a crate of Bomonti. Things here are getting even better!
So then, and yes it’s 35°C, we sat out lathered in Factor 50, listening to Desert Island Discs & Neil Tennant from’t Pet Shop Boys. It’s very good. Highly recommend a listen.
Whilst listening, we booked to go to the Fez Bars Friday Night BBQ, and they’ve asked, rightly, for a deposit. So, seems we’re going to have to head to Hisaronu later, pay our dues, and maybe have a bottle of Fredericks IPA or similar, whilst there – rude not to, right?
Eventually, around 5pm, with Desert Island Disks complete, and all caught up with 93:20 Podcast episodes, we headed back upstairs to freshen up before going out.
Except Jane needed to nip back because the barstool she’d been sitting on had an impressively detailed, anatomically accurate “arse-print” of hers on it, which seemed to consist of emulsified sweat & suncream. Thankfully, soap & water did the trick and it’s now passed as sub-clinically clean. Also, I never got a photo.
Showers (low water pressure, aside) & freshen up done, we headed down the hill to the Taxsi rank & headed to Hisaronu for food and a few drinks. And maybe a mooch around the “farkets” & shops.
As the saying goes “when in Rome…” and all that. But instead we headed to Shanghai Blues. Well, where else, given their extensive selection of 115 dishes, all served bitter, and portions that are treble the size of anywhere else at the moment. Great news was that they are all rent-free in the heads of non-Blues. A bit oily though. More seriously, we had a really nice meal and portions were huge.
Can’t not mention Lurchio talking about where he and his mates are looking to go on hols next year. Two weeks in Barcelona, apparently. Hope they win the lottery! Oh, or Dubai or Japan. Hope they win the Euromillions!
Meal over we headed down to Fez Bar for a beer and to pay off our pre-debts (deposit for Fridays BBQ), via “The Strip”, taking in Marks Spengler, Harvey Nicholes, Harrods, etc.
A quick chinwag with the owner, a couple of Bomontis (Corona with Lime for Lurchio) & a GBP settlement of the whole of our forthcoming BBQ – our choice of payment method.
Just on that, for those that may not know, the Turkish economy is crashing compared to EUR & GBP. It’s at a rate of change such that on the month between us changing GBP to TLR, we missed out on an extra converted £180. Rate went from 24 to the £, and is now at 34/35 to the £ & climbing! No wonder, they’d all rather have GBP!
Anyhow, we got a Taxsi back to our gaff, and on the way we’re told about the history (or at least the origin of the names) of Fethiye & Hisaronu. Going to keep you hanging in the air on that one, which is more that happened to the chap who is credited with the name of Fethiye!
On that likely poor, inappropriate & obtuse “joke”, I’m going to call it a day/night, so see you tomorrow if you’re really lacking in things to do!
Oh! Water’s off again. Not good after a big Chinese meal, in my experience. Glad we have the ‘Mergency Flush Bucket of water…
Cheers!
Chris
*that just for Ian, as he will now be giggling like a child, after use of the word ‘girth’.