Pontiac kings | Clune Gap Years

A Jobs Day

21/08/2025

We have water and are almost level. So we decided to have a jobs morning. This turned into a jobs day!

I cut my Pilates short to get up on the roof before the sun made it too hot. It was dreadful … caked Sahara dust from Jez’s stay in Crete. Thankfully it’s been so sunny we have not had issues with solar harvesting. Followed by a full body wash. Two passes with suds and then multiple to rinse. I put a treatment on the rubber seals and J changed the bedding and cleaned inside. Reckon the laundry took nearly 4 hours! Clothes and 2 x knicker chandeliers inside. Airer for towels, bedding and mats. Really appreciated our showers. And the post hard work wine.

A lady came to the neighbouring graveyard to pray and plant a rose for her sister. She gabbled at me, I smiled and she patted my cheek. Can’t ever remember anyone doing that.

Amasya

22/08

Amasya’s history goes back over 7000 years, with a hill top castle. Pontiac cave tombs, starting 281BC. There are 21 tombs making it quite a necropolis of Kings.

*Fortunately the guide book didn’t recommend climbing up to them!*

Young Ottoman princes were posted here to cut their teeth ruling a district … I guess before a brother, uncle etc murdered them!

Ataturk came here a number of times. In June 1919 the Amasya Declaration was prepared – the roadmap to revolution. Then in October 1919 he met with a Government representative and Amasya Protocol was signed. A few other trips but the next significant one was in 1924 to promote the new alphabet. We took a look at the museum about the struggle for independence…

*One room disappointing, and on the 2nd floor so we had a climb anyway*

A restored Ottoman housing area. All spread out along the river, surrounded by mountains.

*Very pleasant and clean, even if the river looked murky*

*The usual number of mosques and Medrese*

Whilst cleaning Jez yesterday, the windscreen wiper fell apart. A piece missing. After Amasya, we drove to a big industrial estate that seemed to be specifically for auto repair. The Google search for windscreen wiper shop was no good. But the lad hopped in Jez and directed us to another workshop. And then another, each several blocks away. New wiper fitted was under £8.

*Great to have our own translator and guide*

Drove to a large reservoir picnic area. Corrie made a fuss of again. Whilst I was at a picnic table with my guide books, a couple tried to press a beautifully presented plate of food on me. Should have given it to Corrie as she is the one who tolerated their young daughter petting her. This is the second time we’ve been offered food. Culturally, I am slightly uncomfortable with it. My problem I know. Culinary wise, I love to just taste to see the flavour combinations.