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Published: February 11th 2016
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Woolly says – I sat chuckling to myself as Jo repacked the suitcase for the third time, by now most of the things that had originally been put in were now on the floor and Jo being Jo sat with her bottom lip wobbling at the thought of not being able to take everything she needed. Daughter Zoe came to the rescue stating the obvious ‘why don’t you just book some more weight onto the flight?’ Jo perked up immediately and started repacking and loading everything back in…women! He makes it sound so easy but with things going into storage for an unknown period of time I needed to make sure I had all the vitals, but maybe not quite so many packets of chocolate buttons! Woolly says – I voted for taking the chocolate and leaving Jo behind! Our last night in our snug little attic room meant us lying in bed listening to the storm raging outside, the waves hitting our fourth floor window, I sighed contentedly thinking that in twenty four hours I would be basking on my balcony and enjoying the delights that Turkey has to offer. The morning found a trail of devastation on the front with sand piled high on the pavement and benches thrown across the road with their concrete supports still attached. A lovely lunch with daughter Zoe and a quick look at the brewing sea as I trotted towards the train station for the first part of our journey. With daughter Zoe and friend Jade dragging the luggage I had the tissues at the ready…well we all know what’s going to happen. Strangely the train station was completely deserted except for a small man who smiled at me and asked if we were waiting for the train……why would I be at the station otherwise, of course I’m waiting for the train! Somehow I knew this wasn’t going to be good news and as usual I was proved right our train was cancelled due to flooding on the line…….Nooooooooo I have a flight to catch, I’m a VIP get me a limo NOW!
As the small fur ball spluttered and ranted we listened to the nice man and then followed him to the coach that would take us onto the first working station, problem sorted. Woolly says – well of course that was going to be my next suggestion! As the girls waved and Jo sniffed we were off into the dark winding roads of Wales. As we pulled into a small station I sat happily chatting to a group of other travellers about our destinations, for some reason they seemed a bit jealous that I was heading to sunnier climes. Onto the train and more miles passed beneath us, climbing down at Shrewsbury I shivered, at least I won’t be cold for much longer. The next train arrived and off we went again with Jo reading to me to pass the time it didn’t take long until we found ourselves on the deserted platforms of Crewe with an hour and a half wait I thought a hot drink might ease the chill in my tusks. I sat happily on the suitcase as Jo pulled me along and having exited the station I was delighted to spy a McDonalds.
A warming cup of coffee made a big difference and having checked with my companion to see if he wanted something to eat I was surprized in fact amazed when he declined, maybe he’s coming down with something! Woolly says – Our last train arrived and as the night flew past I chomped happily on my biscuits and pistachio’s…..I’m sure Jo won’t mind a few crumbs and shells in our hand luggage! By now I was rather chuffed with myself and as we trotted through the airport complex we were right on time, you see if you leave a mammoth to sort things out then our travel plans always go to plan. He really has got such an inflated ego! With five hours to wait I settled him down for a snooze and tried to get some sleep. Woolly says – Well there’s no chance of that with so much noise even in a deserted terminal I knew Jo should have packed my ear protectors! The time dragged and even sharing a breakfast roll with Jo didn’t fill up enough hours, finally I directed my tired carer towards check in and declining the offers of perfume testing (I smell wonderful anyway) we sat and people watched. The flight passed as they do and as we hauled the baggage for the last time towards our last mode of transport I could feel the lovely Turkish sunshine warming me to the bone.
Having been away for 10 months it was a fascinating transfer as the two of us oohed and arrred over the new buildings that had erupted from the ground since our departure, as we rounded the peninsula I caught my first glimpse of the castle. Woolly says – I reached for the tissues before Jo turned herself into a waterfall, pulling up at The Royal I hopped down and was delighted to be greeted by our wonderful friend Mustafa as Jo soaked his shoulder I gazed happily around me, the mammoth is back, watch out Turkey. Our first day passed with meetings and updates and as the evening approached my little friend stood gazing at his wardrobe trying to decide what to where for our first evening out. Woolly says – Knowing that we were meeting up with two of my biggest fans and best friends I knew I wanted to impress them so the choice became obvious….. Super Mammoth would be out for the night. As we wandered through the streets of Alayna I noted new shops that had opened and old favourites that I enjoyed and having arrived at Bistro Floyd I could barely supress my delight at seeing the brilliant John and Gwen. A beautiful meal and excellent company ensued. Bistro Floyd has been running for more than 23 years and is considered to be a Dutch venue, with this in mind I would have expected to see some clogs and cheese around but failed to spot any. In 1990, Fuat Kiliç (better known as Floyd), during a vacation in Alanya, had the idea to open a Dutch snack bar. There was at that time already many Dutch tourists but there was no restaurant or bar where they might feel a little at home. Although Turkish by birth he had lived in Amsterdam for twenty years and he saw the ideal opportunity to live again in his native country and he could pursue his hobby by opening a catering company and also create a little Dutch cosiness in his homeland. After several shifts of location the company has settled into its current place and as Floyd wanted it was warm and cosy, it fact delightful.
It was certainly wonderful to be able to catch up and allow the smallest member of the table to tell his tales of life in wet windy Aberystwyth. With the restaurant about to close for the night Woolly could hardly contain his glee when we were told that we could have a look inside the beautiful ottoman house that is part of their grounds.
Woolly says – unfortunately there wasn’t any information about its history as it’s not open to the public, I galloped up the steps towards this extra special treat. Inside I finally found the Dutch influence that Floyd had brought to the area with beautiful rooms with incredibly high ceilings and the signs of clogs and the famous delft pottery, truly beautiful and such an unexpected pleasure. After such a late night I was looking forward to a lovely day on my balcony dozing in the sun and what do I get RAIN arrrrrrrrr it’s followed me from Wales’s maybe if I take it to the post office I can return it to Aberystwyth where it belongs!
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Home and Away
Bob Carlsen
Welcome home!!!
Back among friends. Time to finish your second book. The weather seems to follow you wherever you go.