Upsetting morning
As Dennis advised yesterday, we agreed to meet the young shepherd, Kadir at 10.30. However, we were awake early. Just as well, as workers came to clear the branches and slash. We very quickly took down the very dirty tent and moved out of the forest. Over tree stumps and ditches. As Dennis said yesterday, I did not think it was a good site to set up camp! We were an hour and half ahead of schedule, so were unsure what to do.
As Kadir obviously didn’t live far away, we took a track down beside the forest to try and find him. There was no sign of habitation so turned around. Back on the main road, we stopped at the first house and Dennis went to ask a gentleman outside, if Kadir lived there, or did he know where he lived? Sign language only, but he seemed to be suggesting it was down the track we had just tried. Sadly, we decided we would not hang around for over an hour and set off. Feeling very guilty, though.
A day of Changing scenery and Weather
When we first left the camping it was overcast and we had a shower or two. Later in the afternoon the sky cleared and it was sunny with temperatures approaching 30 degrees.
We started in rolling countryside. Most of the time the road follows the valleys and rivers. Not necessarily on the valley bottom. Often on the sides. It is obviously a very dry country, as the grass is parched and brown everywhere. We pass a number of reservoirs and water channels and pipes for irrigating crops.
As we progress eastwards the scenery becomes more rocky and mountainous.
In the distance we start to see snow on the higher peaks.
On the road we see Iranian trucks and convoys of trucks from Poland, Slovakia and Romania carrying old vehicles and scrap metal. We wonder if they could possibly be going to Iran to help the war effort
Turkish Hospitality
I have to say, I think Turkish people are the most hospitable we have ever met. Everywhere we get offered tea and coffee. This afternoon we stopped at a petrol station which had a market. However, it didn’t have any of the provisions we wanted. I asked the gentleman in the car parked next to us if he spoke English. He immediately summoned his daughter from the car. She spoke very good English and was able to direct us to a supermarket. She also insisted we come and stay with them on our return journey through Turkey. They live in Ordu on the north coast, which she advises is a beautiful place.
We had reached the outskirts of Erzincan and saw a sign for a Motel/Camping. It is not the best campsite we have ever stayed at, but that is made up for by the friendliness of the owners. Once again tea has been offered. After dinner we were sitting in Poki when our camping neighbour came along with a plateful of chicken he had just barbecued and the lady owner with a bowl of apricots. They were only tiny, but incredibly sweet. They are so kind.
Tomorrow we will stay here for a rest, (we both need it badly), and to catch up with the blog, laundry and Poki maintenance.
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