D+74 (I think) Porto Lagos - Greece

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Well our R&R is now over and we are on the road again heading towards Turkey - we expect to cross the border on Thursday. The break was exactly what we needed as it allowed us to recharge our batteries, sort the bikes out and plan the next phase. It was also great not having to worry about where we sleep each night and what route to take to avoid the heavy traffic etc. In the end we spent 8 days in Kavala and 3 days on the island of Thassos. Although the weather is still hot the season here is coming to an end and a lot of places are starting to close down. This has made finding accommodation a bit more of a problem but in the end something always seems to turn up. On the plus side there are very few tourists about and some days we have had beaches to ourselves. After a few days of chilling out we got itchy feet and started taking day trips out on the bikes - how sad is that after sitting on them for over 2500 miles. The bikes themselves have been great and just seem to keep going. I normally give them a quick service every 500 miles or so - oil the chain and check all the nuts and bolts etc and thats it. We would strongly recommend Thorn Raven Tours to anyone considering doing a similar trip.

Today we are in Porto Lacos, a small fishing port on the Med. We are now 'Greeked out' as Joy says and are looking forward to a dietry change. We can tell we are heading further East as most toilets we encounter are now 'squats' - they don't bother me but Joy is finding them a bit of a shock to the system - she had better get used to them as they are probably the only ones we will see for the next 6 months or so!!!

We expect to be in Instanbul for about 10 days while we sort out flights and visas for India. Hopefully we will update the blogg then with a few more photos.

Thanks again for your comments and messages - please keep them coming as we enjoy reading them and they are a great morale booster.

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Comments

[Colin & Corrie Grice]

Dartmoor Viewers
Dry weather at last. Thanks for message. We have new dog - same version as dear old Megan RM. Bad luck on the toilet situation Joy, I'm afraid it may only get worse. Our septic tank needs a new lid and until it is fitted I shall think of you when I walk past it! Great to read your diary. Continued good luck. CGRM and wife

[Pete Curtis]

Hi
Hello Steve - Hello Joy Great reading your blog - what an adventure it is eh? As I've said in texts, I'm so jealous of your freedom etc. I liked the bit about being sad going on bike day trips - too true! I think after that long sat on it (2500 miles) it'd be the last place I'd want to put my ass on "days off"!! I had my leaving lunch back at NMC the other day - we couldn't do it prior to leaving. It was great to go back and see everyone but it's still weird without you being round. The biggest topic of conversation throughout the afternoon was your shedding of your outer layers!!! At that point, I'd not seen the photos like I have now - I must say you're looking fantastic mate - meant in a very NON-homosexual way of course!! I've started riding my bike nearly every day now - hopoefully I'll shed a few pounds too! I'm not sure about the facial hair though - looks like you're trying to swallow a large fox in a one-er!!! Shame about the toliets - Rach would have a nightmare cos she finds the need to squat over here if we ever need to go whilst away from the house so she'd hate it!!! If that's all you've got for the next 6 months, GOOD LUCK JOY!!!!! Keep enjoying yourselves - yet again there are seemingly constant reminders back here that life is NOT a rehearsal and that you only get one chance etc, but it's one that you are both taking really well and certainly making the most of. Enjoy it but do take care and keep well. Looking forward to next update. Regards. Pete C x

[Moira and Les]

hi
Het you two - still sounds great fun (know what you mean about the loos Joy!!! Enjoy Istanbul and take care lots of love xxxxxxx