Out for a brisk walk through the ravine and then up the mountain. A bit of an action shot.
On the way up we walked past the houses where Hasan Sungur owns the land. It is heartbreaking to look at the state of disrepair they have fallen into along with the fact that the purchasers had paid various amounts of money. Last I heard it appeared to be a stalemate. This is just one of the pools, the houses are even worse.
So, are the talks going to start this week? They have taken long enough to get round to it.
Thought for the Day – “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Oh boy, the first morning we woke up to the temperatures in single figures. It felt cold! A long walk in the mountain warmed us up.
Marion Stuart was at the Christmas Fayre yesterday and wanted to write the rescue story of Ellie and she took this picture which she sent us, which will accompany her report.
In the afternoon we took Ellie back to the Prof (vet) for her next vaccination. 40tl for that one.
Thought for the Day – “It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them, and every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.” ~ Anonymous
Up to the mountains early and we managed to avoid the hunters. The front of the car is full of mud so after breakfast I went to vacuum the car out. I had only been out there for about 5 minutes and wondered where Eille was. After her recent habit of eating plants, I had to look for her. She was circling a bush trying to catch something. I called her, she totally ignored me. I then discovered she had caught a tiny robin and had it in her mouth. We haven’t actually reached the instant “drop” stage yet in her training. She will drop her ball but a bird is a different matter. I did manage to get her to drop it eventually but obviously it was in shock, being a soft mouthed dog she hadn’t harmed it. Mal came out and put the robin safely in our olive tree garden. Now I wonder, has she been a hunters dog? I am very pleased to report that the little robin survived after eventually overcoming the shock and flew away.
Later we went to Lemar Alsancak Christmas Fayre. Ellie was even given some dog biscuits and Father Christmas gave Mal chocolates!
Thought for the Day – “Appearances matter, so remember to smile!” ~Nelson Mandela
We woke up to discover the puppy from last night, lying on our cane sofa outside. It is obviously small enough to fit through our gate. We shoo-ed it away again and then went for another long walk. This must be doing us good all these long walks and Ellie loves them.
Off to the shops then to buy some chicken wire to cover the gate! I also bought some lovely vegetables. I can’t believe that broccoli is only 1.80tl (54p)a kilo. I reached up to get a squash, I only wanted one but the whole box of them tumbled on the floor! One of the assistants came running over and of course I apologised and he said “no sorry, no problem” and insisted on picking them all up…whoops! New Cyprus Potatoes as well, yummy. We had taken Ellie with us and she just lays on the back seat, so well behaved. Cyprus Today. As the editor says, the news is repetitive, save your 4tl! I hadn’t realised Ellie agreed too. Mal and I were having our lunch when I wondered where she was and what mischief she was getting up to. Earlier she was eating one of the plants in the garden! I went outside to find she had taken the paper outside and was ripping it to shreds. Oh dear! I think she is feeling at home now.
Thought for the Day – “Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” ~ Dean Koontz
For anyone who loves Istanbul as much as I do, I noticed a programme that was on BBC4 last night, “Byzantium – A Tale of Three Cities”. It looks really interesting although I have just downloaded it and not watched it yet.
We walked through the village and then on to the mountains. Ellie has now met five of the village dogs. Mal and I get far longer walks now!
Learning to “stay”
There is a roaming puppy who followed us on our evening walk, well not just followed us but made an absolute pest of itself jumping all over Ellie. Then of course it got through the gate and Mal had to chase it away. David said it has been camping out in their lower garden.
Thought for the Day – “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” ~ Nelson Mandela RIP
What a difference a day makes. Yesterday was wet and miserable and now we have a dog in the house again, mud everywhere. Today the sun was out, washing on the line and a dry walk. We had a long throwing the ball session in the garden as we haven’t let Ellie off the lead yet on her walks. I haven’t got a name tag yet and also she is very alert to birds and I have a feeling at the moment she may just chase them. I have to say I have had a lot of retrievers and she is the first to retrieve and then give me the ball willingly! So, we have conquered, “sit”, “lay down”, “drop” and “fetch” so far. She is a very intelligent dog.
“Bird Watching”
Thought for the Day – “He speaketh not, and yet there lies a conversation in his eyes” ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
We were up at 5.30! Ellie went out to see Mum cat who did not budge from her seat outside. A bit of spitting and swiping with Ellie prancing around. She is not even our cat! We went to Ileli and bought Cyprus Today. Ellie is just so good in the car. We went straight up to the mountains but saw Kenny on the way, he was walking Loppi so we let Ellie out of the car so they could meet and start their friendship. We chatted just a bit too long, half way round our walk in the mountains the heavens opened! The three of us were drenched. Ellie was not impressed with the rain. She’ll have to get used to it because whatever the weather we have two walks a day!
Back home and I tried her with the hair dryer, a bit wary but did sit still until I had finished. I think she secretly enjoyed it. I have to say she takes everything in her stride and is quite layed back about everything.
I received a lovely photo from Lou yesterday…very Christmasy already. I think by the time we are there Christmas morning they will be bursting!
Josie, Oscar and Ollie
I guess most people are watching the lira exchange rate. It is now 3.35tl to the £! Very good.
Mal has been dying to light the log burner and in the evening made the decision that it was cold enough. We both expected Ellie to have prime position in front of it but no she obviously decided that the settee was more comfortable than the rug!
Thought for the Day – “Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are god. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are gods.” ~ Christopher Hitchens
