11/08/25

A busy day. Last night I’d shopped in A101 for a few supplies, like dinner. I’d had to deploy Google Translate to tell the cashier that I was not going to pay over £700 for a lettuce. She’d eventually worked out how to deduct it. But she had also had deducted eggs. Another Google T to tell her to add them back on. By which time all the queue was gathered around to establish what was the hold up. On the last pee dog walk, I spotted a bigger supermarket so this morning, I popped in. Oh joy … not everything in my list … not seen anchovies since Greece! No pork either obviously, but not missing that. Bought tomato purée, chia seeds, flax seeds etc.

First stop was Zelve Open Air Museum. The artefacts were rock caves and churches. More of them, I know! But a lovely path around 3 short valleys with info boards. One area was for production. Soaking pits and a mill to thresh bulgar wheat, a dietary staple.

I really enjoyed wandering about here. More poignant as the last residents only left in 1957 due to rockfall. I believe Goreme museum is bigger and more expensive … be interesting to see how it compares.

Devrent aka Imagination Valley was described in a guide book as THE valley not to miss. So popular, we nearly couldn’t park for tour mini busses. What a load of pigeon poop. Very small. Over visited. Supposed to be able to see all sorts of animals etc. I could make out a turkey, although that wasn’t on the list.

Even overheard a guide apologising that you did need a really good imagination.

So far, other than the safari jeeps and quads stirring up dust, it was the main disappointment.

At Urgup we didn’t climb to the viewpoint but went for lunch instead. J kept it bland. Yummy beef cheeks for me. A dry lunch too. But made up for it with a wine tasting. £11 for both of us.

We shared 6 samples. But no obligation to buy. So we didn’t … can get a better French in Tesco for the same money. Sadly the staff at these wineries are not wine trained. No passion or knowledge, so no inclination to talk about Turkish viniculture. Moved onto a potential parking until I read that the nearby ‘entertainment centre’ was a tour company belly dancing evening venue. No thank you. So we’re a little further on with fab views. Sadly I’ve counted 45 safari jeeps hurtle past throwing up dust. It’s that or quad bikes!!!