Adapting at Adatepe

21/07/2025

We crossed the ferry to Canakkale, hoping the bigger town would have a PTT large enough to sell the HGS motorway pass. After being bumped from PTT to every bank, we aborted. Will divert in a few days to Izmir, where we bought one 5 years ago. Coffee and cake.

We attempted to walk to Zeus Alter for its views and of submit offerings! Cor rie saved from being our offering, as unfortunately the path was closed until September. So we did 180 and walked into Adatepe. Pretty stone houses which had been abandoned when Greeks were forced to relocate to Greece.

Desperate for clean knickers, we parked near Ayvacik on a perfect waterfront flat area and deployed the twin tub. Only the spinner is working, so I hand washed 😮. I thought it had too much sand to close the drain properly, but I’ve subsequently flushed it through. Still worth keeping as the spinner is very effective. It cost £100 about 10 years ago, so it doesn’t owe anything.

We moved to the road side lay-by above, as signs stating no Motorhomes. Shame as was perfect and loads of room.

Percolating at Pergamon

22/07

Didn’t need that early start having been worried about parking in Bergama. There was loads of parking space. But it did mean we did enough of the ancient site of Pergamon before the crowds and it got too hot.

Wandered the main parts of the site. Various occupiers since 281 BC, including, of course, the Romans.

We had a quick wander of the town passing the Red Basilica, but deciding against the Askeplion (healing centre) or Roman Baths.

With temperatures predicting around 40C this afternoon we headed N to a forest road with water fountains. We put out the awning and read in the shade. 42C in the van. Other than cicadas, the only disturbances were trucks trundling down with the most huge rocks (2 per truck as that big), and locals filling containers with spring water. One chap used our watering can to douse his overheating engine; he also had no back to his driving seat!

I got a fit of the buzies, having been sat all afternoon and did a little hand laundry, washed the floor and then attempted to get the Sahara Cretan orange dirt off Jez. I didn’t go on the roof as I’d had 2 glasses of wine and no phone signal. That would have been foolhardy! J showered outside with me pouring spring water over him. I don’t know why he complained about the cold – he went to boarding school! I put the hot water on and showered inside!