Wine & Whisky

Posted on February 25, 2026 by Clunegapyears

24.02.26

Not the best plan to do a wine tasting at 10.00 a.m., but hadn’t been able book Sunday, or Monday as a public holiday. Healthy samples too … J stepped up.

We leaned more about the July ’25 fire. Our host pointed out where the fire was halted on the perimeter of the village. Her family lost vineyard buildings and 2/3 of their vines. The Cypriot government only financially assisted if 3/4 lost. Some EU money, but 7 years before the vineyards are productive. This small family vineyard supplied wine for charcuterie producers, wine paste coated almonds (same as seen in Georgia) and a delicious grape and sesame marmalade. Unfortunately the small jars were over 100ml so we couldn’t buy any to bring home.

*Clay plithoi from 18?? Still used for the charcuterie wine*

*The grand daughter read chemistry at Uni, then a post grad on wine in Athens. She also dances and rides a motorbike.*

A drive over the mountains to Nicosia. We did a self guided walking tour in the Greek side. Nothing special, but pleasant enough.

*Liberty monument: two resistance fighters are pulling on prison chains to release* *men women and children*

*Famagusta Gate: part of the Venetian wall defenses. Wide enough for two vehicles to pass*

*Interesting mix of architecture*, *and yellow post boxes*

*And saw the pedestrian border crossing*

Then off through the vehicle crossing for us. Supper easy and quick. I was asked at the Greek side, if we had visited the occupied terrotory before? A reminder that Turkey is the only country to recognise Northern Cyprus. We bought Tr insurance for the car €35. No customs checks … mindful of our wine confiscation from Georgia to Turkey, we had decanted 1.5 litres of gin into our drinking water bottles!

Northern Cyprus does not feel like Turkey. Half the hoardings along the motorway advertised whiskey, campari and raki. We looked hard to find a lady in a head scarf. And the supermarket had a full aisle of booze.

Had bought an esim, which was so rubbish we couldn’t navigate to our accommodation. We ended up connecting to a hotel and screen shotting the map. Stressful. So unpacked … including un-decanting the gin … cheers.

Rock village, wine and lunch

Posted on August 11, 2025 by Clunegapyears

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.

*The winery with holes for the juice to drip through*

*Our Corrie has no fear, unless it’s a big dog*

*The Holy Cross Church. Had its own wine production and graves … wonder if they’re linked?*

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.

*And a lovely sign asking people to keep the place tidy …* 😂 *rubbish right next to it.*

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!!!

1587-1588: Eager for Eger

Posted on July 13, 2020 by Clunegapyears

1587: Cracking Day in Eger

Thursday 9th July 2020

The campsite staff were outstanding … gave us so much useful information on what to see and the practicalities … and in impeccable English. After the previous evening’s festivities we were a little slow getting going! A walk into town and we promptly dived in for a coffee. Danny and I minded CO2 and had another coffee (close call for a Back McFlurry!) whilst the two J, R, P and G fans headed into the Beetles museum. Lunch. Minaret to be climbed. Castle to be clambered and ice cream to be eaten!

Dbba3fe0 efd1 4ebf 9950 4d12af27c221

Where’s Wally?

P1190627

An attempt to cool down CO2. Not sure who got wettest.

P1190630

Dobo Square. His fame is that he was in charge of the castle when the Turks attacked and defeated them. Actually sicknesss, lack of food and the weather finished off the Turks, so they retreated. They came back a few years later with a force of 100,000 and won. As Danny, ex military, pointed out, campaigns are fought now with 8 soldiers.

P1190633

P1190636

Apparently this is the most northerly minaret in the world. 98 steps, which Danny and I know about as we climbed it.

P1190641

No passing places, so controlled batches of tourist allowed up. Steps were steep so we used hands to help climb, and were slippery from wear. Don’t know what their procedure is for getting people out who may have a panic attack or fall, as it really was narrow.

But I was the only one to step out onto the platform! Such a hero!!! Perhaps I just have no imagination.

P1190639

View from the top of the cathedral. Being renovated so couldn’t visit it.

P1190647

That minaret sure does look narrow and tall from the castle. No wonder I had thigh ache.

P1190643

Not your usual sign.

P1190646

P1190652

A cracking day sightseeing! The day might be over, but the evening was to come. One of the main attractions of Eger is its wine. The Lovely Lady Street or Nice Lady Street, depending on your translation, is not, as you might suppose, a street of brothels, but a street and square of c.60 wine bars and restaurants. Each wine bar represents a local vinyard. This calls for a big night out. Lisa and I did our hair and put on makeup!!!! Some of the wines were good, some really not! We purchased a bottle each for later … plastic bottles but cheap as chips. And you knew what you were buying. Really is a pub crawl with wine. What’s not to like?!

Reckon he handed over his treasured violin thinking Lisa could play … wrong!

Amazing what you can find in your hand bag!

Despite a lightish lunch and ice cream, or perhaps due to the wine … we still managed a meal out. More traditional music and hearty portions, but tasty.

Meaty! But not ours.

1588: Recovery Day in Eger

Friday 10th July 2020

Two heavy booze nights had taken its toll … for the second time we toddled into the campsite office and paid to stay another day. Our tourist guide, aka the campsite chap, told us to visit the European version of Pamukkale … travertine terraces. We had every intention of doing so … but didn’t. The day oozed by with jobs. Lisa and I dyed each other’s hair. And then, bravely, Lisa volunteered Danny to cut my hair. It had not been cut since September and I really don’t want to have trouble finding a hair dressers when we get back to the UK. And Danny HAS cut Lisa’s before.

I’m sure I only said 2″

In the evening we wandered out again into Beautiful Lady Road … just the one sampling. We were definitely flagging. And back to the same restaurant for dinner. Good food again. I am missing fish though: lake fish is available, but not prepared how I would choose. The traditional music band wandered over as we were the only people claping them … must be cultural thing. Having established that were were English and Irish, they proceeded to play Auld Lang Syne! Not quite so late tonight!

Clune Gap Years

A journal and reflections of our motorhome travels

Tag Archives: wine tasting