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Published: November 14th 2017
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Woolly says – It’s been a hectic few weeks with little time to put paws to the keyboard. As we started to pack up our possessions and I checked my pistachio levels which were running dangerously low I made the most of the drizzle and celebrated my burpday. The kind owners of the Plassey laid on an incredible firework display in my honour on the Saturday followed by food and drinks on the big day itself, well I couldn’t ask for more really…..although more presents would have been good! The humans took my party as a goodbye affair and having exchanged addresses and contact details I spent my last morning playing golf. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that not everything was just for him! Woolly says – I will miss my daily round of golf although I’ve still to find an albatross and the only eagle I came across was beautifully carved out of wood so I didn’t feel I could count that, bogeys however have been plentiful. With the car packed to overflowing I squeezed myself in and waved a sad goodbye to the staff and wardens of the park as we set off for some rest and relaxation.
It was sad to leave our wonderful new friends and the amazing customers that we have been privileged to spend the summer serving, with promises to keep in touch we hit the road. Woolly says – First stop was at a small B and B near to the airport which allowed friend Jess to meet up with us, as the women babbled away I set about planning the week ahead and bearing the mantle once more of tour guide for my adopted home. Our last morning dawned with freezing temperatures which was the excuse the pilot made for our late departure, I shivered and held onto the thought of the warmth to come to get me through the last few hours on English soil. As the plane finally took off and we left the cold behind my small friend and I discussed the coming weeks and months, so much to still organise the list seems endless, but time is something that we will have as we enjoy the warmer climate. Woolly says – I could feel the warmth as we touched down in Antalya and as we settled into the bus for our transfer I happily started to tell Jess about Turkey whilst pointing out the sights as we left the city behind us and drew ever closer to my home in Alanya.
His excitement was catching, and I hadn’t the heart to tell him that being dark Jess was unable to see anything except his bright eyes! Woolly says – I couldn’t contain my excitement as my castle came into view and the last few kilometres of travel melted away. Our wonderful friend Mustafa stood waiting to greet us and having received drinks and huge quantities of food I happily bought him up to date on our last few months, it was good to be back. Our first morning was glorious with the temperatures in the mid-twenties for the first time in what felt years I felt warm, I led the way towards the harbour in my mission to show Jess everything I could. My delight knew no bounds as I found the yearly sculpture competition in full swing which means I can keep checking their progress over the month long contest, as I trotted along I pointed out the previous year’s works that get displayed along the harbour for everyone to admire. My favourite café was just as it always is and there was nothing better than to order my cay and sit in the sunshine for an hour or so.
It was so wonderful to stroll round in t shirts and absorb the rays, as the small furry one conducted his tour which also included a visit to his new favourite waffle shop Jess seemed to be enjoying her time with us. Woolly says – Our Friday took on our regular breakfast stop and meeting up with our friends at the market, it was thrilling to be in the thick of things again, hearing the call to prayer and watching the Turks doing there weekly shopping whilst catching up on everyone’s lives. Arrangements made for the next few days I was happy to settle into my own bed and catch up on some much needed sleep. A trip to the castle for Jess to admire the views and for me to check out what ruins had now been unearthed was lovely, each time I go I find more that has been revealed, the walk down was steep but enthralling as new walls and columns presented themselves, even better was the new cable car that now takes visitors up to the top and which featured in my plans for another day out.
Given the number of times we have ascended from the castle you would think by now that we had found every footpath there was… we haven’t and found ourselves arriving back at the harbour via yet another roadway. Woolly says – Having blogged so much about my home Beer and Cake for Breakfast! (
check out the other Turkish blogs as well), my tour list is endless but in Alanya there is always something new and having organised with friend Kath to meet up it would give me the opportunity to try out the latest addition to the city. Apparently our first part of the day was to involve a traditional hammam, with my allergy to water I left the four women to it and positioned myself on the sand for a doze in the sun. Several hours passed before I became aware that the incredibly clean humans had arrived back and as I stretched and checked the time it seemed only sensible to have a snack before my new experience.
We all felt amazing after our scrub, soaping and massaging and happily bowed to his request of food. Woolly says – I’d forgotten how much food the Turks try to feed us and with tummies fit to burst the moment had finally arrived and I led the way to the brand new cable car. Given Jo and Jess’s fear of heights it could be an interesting ride! As the cars don’t stop I stood poised to jump on board and missed the first one as it sped past me, I looked up at Jo who seemed to have the same problem so taking her hand in my paw we took a leap of faith as the next car came into view. It was scary, but we made it. As the ride picked up speed I found myself suspended in the air as we hurtled towards the fort which lies just below the castle, as Cleopatra beach grew smaller and smaller I was delighted to see new ruins that the construction work had unearthed far below my paws, I braced myself for landing as the carriage arrived at the top and took a running jump to get back onto terra firma once more.
The views were brilliant and although heights are an issue for me it didn’t feel as scary as I had thought it would. Woolly says – we wandered along the newly built wooden pathways admiring the fort from a completely new angle, although steep to walk up my little legs managed and as the girls took selfies Kath, Jo and I considered the buildings structure where you can now clearly see where floors and roofs would have once been in the fort, having already taken Jess on her castle tour I trotted back to cars and descended back towards the beach. Sunset on the beach can’t be beaten and as we sat over drinks I sighed happily, it’s good to be back.
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RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew
Home in Alanya
Hi Woolly and Jo! It must feel amazing to be back in Alanya... good to see that some things remained the same, and there's also progress and changes. You made me envious of your visit to the hammam, I could so use one right now. Enjoy the food and sunshine xx