Testing the waters in Spain

I haven't been on here since April!  I wanted to wait until I had something new to tell you.  Well, I have some news!!
Firstly,  both of our friends have sold their homes in Turkey.  They were very sad to leave but for both families,  it was a decision that had to be made for health reasons.  The beautiful country of Turkey will always be there and who knows, it may be possible to return for holidays in the future.   
However,  we are missing them very much while we still ponder over leaving Turkey ourselves and moving nearer to our own daughter.    With this in mind and with our daughter sending me links to properties in Spain and links to Spanish language websites, we have decided eventually to look at Spain.  We want to see if we can find an area where we could live for maybe 6 months a year and spend the other 6 months in Ireland.

In February I joined a house sitting website.  I wanted to look for a house sit in Southern Spain.  This would enable us to get the feel for the country.  Even though we had previously been to Spain on holiday,  I wanted us to get more familiar with it's daily living.  Would we be content to live away from the sea and the beach or would we want to be near the sea and shops?  Would we like to live in an area with many buildings around us?  It is unlikely we would be able to afford a detached house with it's own pool and garden which we have in Turkey.  We are willing to compromise because it will mean our daughter, family and friends will be able to get to us with just one direct flight and two airlines to choose from. 

We  looked at all of the house sits in Spain and eventually found one which was suitable to us.  We applied for it and have been successful.   It was to our advantage that we have plenty experience of house and pet sitting.  Since 27th June we are taking care of a lovely villa with a cute little dog and cat.

 The villa is located in the hills above Malaga.  There is a bakery, vegetable shop and a pharmacy just a ten minute walk away.  The supermarket is a 20 minute walk.  The bus station is a 10 minute walk. We are getting plenty of exercise walking the dog twice a day.  She is a lovely little pet and really easy to walk. We try to buy a few groceries every second day so we do not have to carry too much.  We are missing our electric scooter.   I'm doing an on-line Spanish course and so far I have managed to be understood while I do the shopping.  The people in the shops are polite and friendly.  The people we pass on the streets do not say "hello or good day"  unlike Turkey where everyone greets you when you are out walking.  It's just like Ireland and England in that way.

We walked downtown which takes about 35 minutes to get to the promenade and beach.  There are some lovely boutiques and restaurants as you head down the hill.  I had kept some money from last year's Christmas presents.  I treated myself to a new dress.  All the stock in the botique was from Paris so it was a real treat. I wore it on our day out to Fungerola. We had a delicious lunch at this lovely restaurant on a side street next to Hotel Angela. It's run by an Irish couple! No wonder the food was so good!!

The promenade in Marbella is called the board walk.  It goes on for miles.  We walked quite a distance before turning back.  There are beautifully built hotels, apartment blocks and restaurants all along the boardwalk.

 There is miles and miles of sand.   There are restaurants right down on the beach. We haven't gone down on to the beach as yet because dogs are not allowed.  We have been all along what is called "The golden mile"  It's like a main street.  Nice shops,  lots and lots of them.  Also beautiful parks with decorative stone seats and large trees providing much needed shade.

The buses go to all towns along the coast.  We have visited Fungerola and Malaga city.  

                This photo shows part of the beach at Fungerola.

We've been to Puerto Banus and it's Saturday market. Just like Turkey with lots of stalls selling t-shirts, dresses, shoes and fancy goods.  I bought another dress and top.  Mr. D bought two very nice tee-shirts. 

 We've gone by bus to east of Malaga and seen towns, Rincon de Victoria, and Benajarafre.  Plenty for us to think about.  We are not going to rush into anything.  
No decision will be made about a particular area. We are thinking it would be wise to rent first but for now we will concentrate on our day to day living and not think of the future.  It's proving far too stressful.....

THE ELUSIVE WATERFALL

We followed the directions given to us by the hotel owner.  "Be sure to go and see our beautiful waterfall just outside the town,  it's just a 15 minute walk through the woods, even children can do it!"  he assures us as we leave the hotel lobby.
 On the outskirts of the town of Köyceğiz, we ask for further directions from a local stall holder who was delighted when we bought some oranges from his well stocked stall.

Soon we were driving on a very rough road which had another road turning left.  We decided to go straight ahead walking on for more than 15 minutes but there was no signposts and no waterfall,  just two small steams which came down from the mountains.  The trees were beautiful.  We saw some beautiful wildlife which kept us busy with our cameras.  We walked on and came to some big stones and rocks.  We did a bit of climbing thinking we were near.  We could see another small stream flowing by.

We were a bit disappointed on not finding the waterfall having managed to climb over some very large boulders on the stream but to no avail.  We turned back.  On our way out we saw a car parked and a young man got out.  I immediately asked him if he knew where  the waterfall was located.  he replied "yes".  Mary's Turkish is much better than mine and he explained to her where it was and that he would take us there.  We had gone in the right direction but it was much further on.  So on we walked,  up a hill over some rough gravel and stones and suddenly we see a make-shift bridge!  It was quite flimsy,  like something from an Indiana Jones movie in which someone falls through and is hanging on with one arm!!  There were a lot of "woooo's and ough!!'s and what on earth is that?

This photo is taken from the opposite side.  We now had to make decisions.  Would we cross it, could we cross it?  Our young man who is called Deniz said "no problem,  I'll help you!"   With my not so perfect eye sight, it looked not too bad to me!   I did not see the missing pieces of timber and the thinner lats on the farther side. 

 Mr. D and Mary are both nervous of heights.  Mr. D said he would wait and take some photos in that area.  I said I wanted to go ahead with the others as the fountain was now only about another 10 minutes away. Deniz went first and guided Mary to the other side.  Isabelle and I followed slowly but carefully.  When I got three quarter way across,  I saw the open spaces underneath my feet and the water flowing below.  I paused for a moment and then jumped over the spaces and quickly got to the other side to the cheers of the others! 

Below is the elusive fountain!   The next surprise was that we had to climb down the side of the rocks to get to the base of it!  We had come this far,   I was definitely going to do this last stage!
Mary decided to stay above while with the help our our guide Deniz Isabelle and I managed slowly but surely to scramble and hold on to bits of branches and rocks as we made our way down. It was not a very big waterfall!  But we had such fun as we made our way to it!

 

A mini holiday

Our dear friend Mary has been planning a trip to Köyceğiz since the end of last year.  She arrived back in Turkey at the end of March and when her friend Isabelle from Paris came here on holiday, it seemed the right time to set off on our trip.  I'd given a neighbour a supply of cat food and she kindly agreed to feed the cats whilst we were away. 
On a bright sunny morning,  with our bags and cameras packed we set off in Mary's 'Duster' car.
I felt very comfortable and relaxed with Mary at the wheel.  She is a very capable driver,  very knowledgeable regarding rules of the road (unlike quite a lot of male drivers here!)  It wasn't long until we were out past all the heavy traffic on the Bodrum roads and heading for Mugla.
After a brief stop for tea and some photographs we were on our way again. 

The roads took us up high into the mountains.  As we gazed upon the views far below us, it felt like we were looking out from a plane window.  There were narrow roads and hair-pen bends and Mary navigated them beautifully. We even found a traditional Turkish village and a lady cooked delicious gozleme (very light dough filled with herbs and cheese and baked quickly over an open fire.)

 

We arrived in the evening at Lake Köyceğiz.  It was even more beautiful than I had imagined having already seen photographs of the lake and surrounding areas.  It was very quite with just a few restaurants open and we found a lovely hotel with little balconies which overlooked the lake.  After checking in,  we wasted no time.  We were out straight away with our cameras capturing the evening light on the lake.

 

We sat and chatted while we watched the beautiful sunset.  We enjoyed a delicious meal and got an early night.  We set our alarms for 6am and we were up and out the next morning to capture the sunrise.  It did not disappoint!

Someone else was up early too!

After an hour or so, we returned to our hotel to review our photos.  We had worked up a good appetite and enjoyed a delicious breakfast of eggs, cheese, tomatoes and olives.  We took a walk up to the town square where I bought some honey from a very large shop selling nothing but honey.  Every type of honey from every flower!
We packed ourselves into the car.  The surroundings of the lake as a whole and particularly the banks of its Dalyan sea connection are important nature reserves.  There was plenty to see as we drove along. The lake is fed by the Namnam and Yuvarlakçay rivers and a number of mountain brooks. At the south side, there is a NW - SE fault line, bordered by several sulfurous hot springs, amongst others Sultaniye Spa. We made our way there and soon we were relaxing in the very hot and very relaxing springs.

We stayed for two nights at the hotel.  On leaving they advised us to visit a waterfall in the woods just outside the town.  This proved to be quite an adventure.   Story and photos to follow soon!

Fighting the negitatives by keeping busy

I'm starting to feel better this month.  The household jobs still seem humongous but I am pushing myself and finding time in between doing my open university on-line course.  I've chosen  a "creative writing fiction"  course.  I don't know if it's "my thing" but nothing ventured nothing gained!   They are all run by the Open university in London. It's wonderful to be able to do courses from home.  The time I save not having to travel can be used instead for my studies.

  I managed to make some home-made marmalade.  That's some achievement for me as I hate tedious work like peeling and chopping!   The end result was good,  Mr. D. has gone through half a jar already!

 I managed to do quite a bit of weeding and fed most of the plants in the garden.  I did it over the space of seven days so now it looks good. The cats are great company while I tend to the plants,  Felix shares my kneeler and happily moves along with me as I move my position. 

We are heading for the month of March,  the temperatures are rising here in western Turkey.  it's bright until 7pm!  There are blue skies and bright sunshine with just a scattering of cloud each day now.  The neighbours are busy too.  From my kitchen window I can see them,  a couple in their late 60's  Mehmet and Isil tending their garden.  They are making a new flower border.  This has involved digging out and sifting through the soil to root out weed roots and many stones.  I'm looking forward to seeing the end results.

Last week I started a job which I had been putting off for some time....  painting the bedroom walls!   Armed with my ladder, overalls and paint rollers,  I set to work!  I had to take down the curtains and poles.  Mr. D. helped me with these and we got a few laughs with trying to coordinate moving the very long metal rail from the room without hitting a light or window!  I then had the task of  washing  and ironing the curtains so they would be ready to rehang when I had finished the painting.   Bedroom number one has since been complete and I've started on bedroom No. 2.  I'm off now to finish that!  

 

NOTHING IS FOREVER BUT WE CAN MOVE ON!

A new year has started.  We had a wonderful month.  Despite the very cold weather, having our daughter here in Turkey has made January 2017 a delightful and happy time for us.  We watched the new year's eve fireworks from the roof-terrace and had group hugs. She loved the cats and they loved her!  On some afternoons much to the delight of the cats, she would sit in the garden reading with three of them curled up on her lap.  We went for walks, and relaxed in the local restaurants. We played "The minister's cat" a game with words by candlelight when we had power-cuts during two thunderstorms.  I baked her favourite cakes and she even said my pancakes were the best!  She fixed my laptop computer.  We did yoga and palates together.  We had cosy nights with our feet up reading or watching films.  We packed a lot into one month.  I simply can't believe it's over already......... Now she has gone back home and back to work, the sense of loss has left me feeling wretched.  
She flew to Istanbul and from there back to Ireland.  I tried not to think of her departure but from the day she arrived I knew I would be faced with yet another goodbye and not knowing how soon we would see her again. For the past six years our birthdays are out of whack celebrated ad hoc when we happen to be in the same time zone. With us being so far away and no direct flights she will not be able to just pop on a plane for the weekend.  It cost her over 400 Euro for her flights. Over the last year or two she has been saying how easy it would be for us to live in Spain or Portugal.  If we sold up here, after paying taxes, we could manage to buy a small house or an apartment.  She showed us some very nice properties on the internet but advised that  we should of course go and check out the areas, spend some time there and talk to locals first.  She could fly down to us for weekends,  we could fly to her in just 2 hours and for 50 Euro!!  We both gave it a lot of thought.  
We love our house here.  When we first bought it we were still working.  We commissioned a very talented carpenter to make our furniture in solid wood. We planned to retire here.  It will last for generations!  We had our curtains made professionally.  The garden was a blank canvas.  I filled it with roses, fruit trees, scrubs and flowering plants.  It has matured into a little oasis and it feels like it's mine.  It would be difficult to give it up.  We are lucky to have 3 very nice neighbours.  We have gotten to know the local shop-owners,  and the stall holders at the Saturday market.  Everything has become so familiar, the roads where we walk and cycle,  the little avenues,  the beaches.  Our dear friends Dilek and Suha who have introduced us to their friends and include us in their social lives.  
I continue to ponder over the pros and cons of starting over again.  
A dear friend also from Ireland has put her house on the market.  She loves living here also but her mother has just turned 90 and up to last year would take the long journey with two flights to be here with her daughter.  As she is no longer able for such an amount of travelling,  my friend has decided to sell up and move back to Ireland.  Another close friend had heart surgery in November and can no longer get travel insurance.  They also are selling up.  It will be lonely here without them. There were also  unexpected deaths during the past year of people we know in our age category.  This has left me feeling vulnerable and sad.  

December in western Turkey

There has been a huge drop in temperatures since I last posted.   Indoors as I write it's only 11c while outside it's a mere 10c and set to drop even more over the coming days.  This is really cold for me!
  I know that in America is is far colder now but their houses are insulated and the heat generated stays in and does not escape through the walls as it does here.  I'm wearing 6 layers of clothes!  It's only my nose and hands feel cold.   I try not to switch the electric fire on before 12 midday because we leave it on until 1 or 2 am.  It's a long time and the air dries out.  I tried lighting the fire in the fireplace with dried wood but the chimney is a bad design and smoke filled the room.  The price quoted by a man who could re do the chimney was very expensive and since we will not be in this house permanently,  it would be unwise to invest over 10,000TL on something that would not add to the value of what is just a summer house.  We go for walks every day so we can get fresh air and exercise. We have a Nobo electric heater in the bedroom which we leave on all night.  It doesn't get too warm because you can set the temperature.  For the past two weeks, there has been snow in the east of the country.  I pity those in rural areas having to work outdoors.  Also the animals as they try to keep warm.  Our stray cats are also feeling the cold and one in particular keeps asking to come inside.....................Yes,  you guessed it,  she has been let in!  sssssh!

I'm like my mother,  I have no bearing of the cold.  I well remember how warm she and my father would make our little cottage in the long winter month in Ireland.  As young children she would dress us in layers of clothes and we would be far far too warm in school where the had a very good central heating system.
Hopefully in January this cold Arctic air will move away.   I can work comfortably at a minimum of 16c indoors and for the past 9 months it has gone between 16c and 32c indoors!
We choose to stay here in Turkey this winter,  it maybe cold but the days are long and sunny.  We love the bright sunlight everyday and this really makes up for the cooler temperatures. I decorated a dead tree in the garden and put a set of coloured solar lights on it.

Some days if the wind is not blowing we can sit out in the sun for an hour or so after a walk in the hills.

Our daughter has come over to us for Christmas.  She saved all of her work leave from the last year so she could spend a month with us.  It's wonderful having her here.  We all went out to a restaurant on the beach front for Christmas dinner.  They lit a soba (fire) and we were warm and comfortable as we looked out at the sea.  It was such a treat not having to cook dinner.  There was a great atmosphere with music and friends.  We bought a delicious cake from a local lady who is a great baker.  We have been eating it and chocolate for the past few nights while chilling out with our books. No TV,  it's wonderful!   I wonder where will we spend Christmas next year.............

Wardrobe clear out

The weather has cooled down.  The daily temperatures are still good,  averaging 22c but as the sun sets,  the temperature plummets.  It's time to change out of the light day clothes and into warmer winter clothes.  With this in mind,  I decided to have a clear out.  I went through the shelves of my wardrobe one by one and took out tea-shirts, light cotton tops and shorts which were starting to fade.  Also anything that was there which I didn't wear for the past year because it was a size too small went into a recycle bag. I didn't think I had so many clothes,  I definitely have enough for the next three  years.  I just need to top up with some winter clothes but I can stretch what I have to cover me for yet another winter. I've set aside a cotton top which will be handy to add to my next quilt.  My neighbour knows a woman who will be glad of the bag of recycled clothes,  she can reuse them for crafting or cut them up for cleaning cloths.  They won't go to waste!