Year: 2016

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The weather was really overcast when we woke up, it must be time to go home!!

It may be dull but we went out for a walk.We packed our things and the taxi arrived to take us to Antalya airport, terminal 1 as this was a domestic flight as we had to change at Istanbul.  We were told that our plane was going to be delayed for three hours, which would really mess up our connection at Istanbul. Then the guy told us he would change our tickets to an earlier flight but that was also delayed. We then discovered that EVERY flight to Istanbul had a delay. THEN we discovered what was going on in Istanbul, a suicide bomber, more people dead and injured. How awful. I guess it was all extra security.  Because of all the plane delays we arrived at Torin’s house at 2am.

Thought for the Day – “Time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters.” ~ Margaret Peters

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We went to breakfast and Eyup, our friendly waiter came and had a chat with us. We said it didn’t seem very busy. He told us there are 650 people in the hotel 300 of which are Turkish which is unusual. Are people staying away from Turkey, not just the Russians?

I’ve been in touch with Torin all week, he has some sort of virus and seems to be getting worse by the day. Poor thing.

Another long walk along the beach.

As I’ve said there are many more Turkish here than usual but I don’t think they have quite the same approach to sunbathing on the beach as we do!!

We spent the afternoon by the pool.

There was a very good show in the evening with Cuban dancers.

Thought for the Day – “One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats.” ~ Iris Murdoch

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This is just a selection of the desserts each night….

Later, there was a group on, so more dancing the night away!

Thought for the Day – “A good life is when you smile often, dream big, laugh a lot and realize how blessed you are for what you have.”

Mal’s birthday! Happy Birthday Mal, I don’t think we will be doing anything too adventurous today. His birthday, 2 minutes into it and he was decorating the bathroom, as he said he won’t have to worry that he ate too much yesterday, he lost most of it! I think it may have been Efes, cocktails and whisky chasers! You think at 68 he would know better.  He swears it was “something they put in the cocktails”!! Mmmm! No comment.

We were still down to breakfast at 7.30 with plenty of coffee and water.

Then he decided a brisk walk was in order! We went in the opposite direction than we did before and even more shops have been built. We found a lovely shop, shame we hadn’t room to transport one of his carpets back.Some are made out of old Persian rugs that have been cut up as he said they cost far too much to be repaired.

 

 

Lunch and then we sat by the pool, a bit windy but very sunny.

By the time we came back to the room Mal had another duck on his bed, a bottle of wine(just what he needed!!), a plate of fresh fruit and a Birthday note. Nice touch.

We had a nice meal and then chose one of the quieter bars to enjoy the rest of the evening.
Thought for the Day – “A twenty-three-year-long study in Ohio determined that people who saw growing older as something positive lived a whopping seven and a half years longer than those who didn’t.” ~ Victoria Moran

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Mal and I are real fresh air fanatics so when we went to bed last night we left our patio door wide open. No one warned us that we are very close to a newly built mosque where of course they call to prayer at 5am! Once I am awake that is it, so I sat reading but didn’t miss the incredibly beautiful early morning sky.

We were one of the first down to breakfast, scrambled egg, salad and fresh fruit for breakfast, really good.
The sun was out so we had a walk to the hotels beach. The forecast said it was going to rain and so we had a walk across the road to the shops. It didn’t take us long to want to return to the hotel as each shopkeeper was trying to drag us in their store. We did buy a couple of things but not at their inflated euro prices.

We sat outside the Lobby bar then until lunchtime. It was really hot with the sun out.

Now this is what you call a pool……

and the hotel has three pools!

We took our shopping back to the room and look what the chambermaid had done…

Mal said he was going to complain to reception that his bed had been messed up…ha ha.

We went into lunch and Eyup, the waiter we had yesterday looked after us again. “It is my job to ensure you have a very good holiday.” We sat outside and he closed the door as he said it would be nicer for us to dine alone!! He is funny. Again he brought us a whole bottle of wine, We only wanted a glass each.

This is a minute sample of lunchtime offerings, the food is so good!

The evening was very lively. A lot of singing and dancing and I don’t think Mal is going to remember a lot of it……………….!! Pre birthday celebrations!

Thought for the Day – “Remember this, that very little is needed to make a happy life.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

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We woke up to thunder, lightning and the rain lashing down. Well, I suppose we have been lucky with the weather so far and they did forecast this today and tomorrow. As long as it is not all next week when we are really “on holiday” in Antalya.

We drove to the airport. Half way there David phoned us and said Sergay (the house below us) wants to know if he can rent our villa with a view to buying it! It took Mal all of a second to say no. When we first put it up for sale he said he was interested in buying it….he isn’t and would we really stop our chance of the holidays we have already booked (a very different deal if someone was waiting with the money to buy it.) He would also have it the most favourable time to sell a property and we would have to pay tax on the income. I think he mistook us for someone who is desperate! AND who is to say he won’t run up the electricity and water bills and not pay them…no way. Besides our next visit back we will be decorating.

The plane to Antalya takes 40 minutes, even with the horrendous wind we had today and it was very bumpy. Our taxi was waiting at Antalya airport and took us to The Concorde. We have stayed here before but not for about eight years. Reception were charming and suggested that we went straight to lunch and they would look after our cases (we are all inclusive). With this hotel, there seriously is food and drink 24 hours. We ate lunch and then went to our room and the bell boy brought our cases up. We have every extra you can imagine in the bathroom, a free mini bar, Concorde slippers and bath robes. Also a welcoming note and a plate of fruit. The waiters in the restaurant were great too and kept filling our glasses up with wine!  Our room also has a sea view. So far it seems even batter than we remember it!

We explored all the hotel and grounds in the afternooon, missed (on purpose) the hour for cakes in the afternoon and waited until dinner. The waiters have a serious habit of topping up your wine glass when you are not looking!

We then went into the lounge bar for a cocktail and then into the main bar where there was a DJ and lots of dancing. The entertainment team made sure everyone was dancing! Lots to join in with.

Thought for the Day – “No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you believe you are, how you treat people ultimately tells all.” ~ Paulo Coelho

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The first thing I had to do was make an order at Marks & Spencer !! Today only there is 20% off. There are a few things that I have had my eye on and so I have ordered them all at 20% off and I can collect them on my return. We receive the bargains in advance, so I am always ready! Well, I have to make sure they work!

Next over to David and Kenny’s for a farewell coffee. We do miss them as neighbours.

Then the big house clean before we leave! I found this praying mantis in our hedge, possibly the biggest I have seen. It was over 4 inches long. he didn’t like me taking his photo though!

Breakfast and lunch was outside, the sunny side of the house. We move around the terraces as the sun moves during the year.

We haven’t been to Sevener’s Restaurant for a few years and now it has been refurbished and looks very smart. So we decided to go for dinner. Sad to say the service and food didn’t match up to their new look. In fact the waiters could barely be bothered to serve us. We certainly won’t be going there again!

Thought for the Day – “I am old but I am forever young at heart. We are always the same age inside. Know that you are the perfect age. Each year is special and precious, you can only live it once. Do not regret growing older, it’s a privilege denied to many.” ~ Richard Gere