Storm over Kusadasi

While huge clouds gathered above we joined the thousands walking in procession to celebrate the Turkish National Day (that's what they told us). Many flags evident, the single white sickle and the single star on the red background. Carried casually over the shoulder or waved enthusiastically by young people screaming past on their Harley Davidsons... All ages were walking peacefully in groups, families and couples, the white-haired and babies in pushchairs. At the end of the seafront promenade there was a tent where a group of musicians played classical Turkish music on their instruments (round-bellied, plucked strings, somewhat like lutes, I don't know their Turkish name) together with one drummer (no sticks, agile hands). We walked the entire seafront to where the huge liner waited for the tourists, the wealthy pensioners, on their trip down the coast of Turkey from Istanbul to Antalya.
After investigating the many fish markets and restaurants (you choose your fish, then it is cooked for you and you eat it plus a glass of wine if you wish!) we turned back, worming our way through the crowds and weaving a path towards the marina.
The wind was wild, when we reached the boat it was already swinging delightedly from side to side...
Here are some pix I took earlier showing the stupendous massing clouds at sunset.

As we were walking back we saw a spectacular lightning effect bouncing across the clouds on the far side of the bay. It lit up a line of dark hills, creating an eerie yellowish-brown colour. Then dark again. Most impressive.
The wind moaned and whistled while the rigging creaked and the fenders groaned between the boats.
In the middle of the night the thunderstorm reached us. Flashing through my porthole onto my fleece blanket, wonderfully dramatic. Then the rain! It spattered and pounded on the deck, the boat rocked wildly, and we alas had left some hatches slightly open -- so deluge in the cabin.
David mopped it up, nothing was damaged, fortunately -- my laptop had been protected by its wetsuit (appropriately!). The only victim was a decrepit book whose pages are all falling out anyway; title The worst journey in the world.
It was 3 a.m. and we went back to sleep. More rain came later, but less furious. When we woke, sunlight was streaming into Stroemhella.

Our neighbours, Jan and Thea, from Oisterwijk, had set off in the middle of the night, to fly back to the Netherlands for the winter. There are still quite a few live-aboards in the marina. But the crowds are thinning out...

Exploring Kusadasi

Today is the start of the festival known as Eid, or sometimes Ede. All was silent this morning, shops shut, no one about. And the sky was overcast. But half way through the morning the sun reappeared in all its joyful warmth, so we lunched seated in the back cockpit of the boat, on the gently lapping waters. Small fish nibble at the sides of the boats, making a soft whispering sound.

Later we set off to explore parts of our new temporary location...
Much more interesting place than it looks from the seafront. And wonderfully un-geometric!!

Here a pic seen from our boat.
Tomorrow I'll take some more pix. There are some wonderful views out across the sea towards the distant mountains. Lots of people here still, though apparently at the end of October many shops and restaurants will close down for the winter.
We do much of our cooking on board -- still rejoicing in the wonderful fresh fruit and veggetables. Don't mind being vegetarian...

One day I will write about the cats in Turkey -- ubiquitous. One came aboard last night but I firmly told him/her it could not be!
My Turkish is progressing. I correctly read a roadsign saying: Attention, children crossing... applauded by a young Turkish lady who assured me my translation was correct. Not bad for so short a time, and my head always buzzing with about five other languages...

Back in Kusadasi

And oh the joy of sun upon the back as one sits sipping a cappucino... Very good Italian coffee here, as well as the Turkish variety.
We flew direct to Izmir and were collected by our pre-booked taxi, driven by a gentle, quiet man who spoke a little Italian, having spent six months in Sicily. That was long ago, I guess -- he told us he now has two adult sons. It was fun speaking Italian. My Turkish remains minimal...
The weather here is utterly delightful, the light sparkles on the water, a soft wind blows...
While we were away we had new upholstery made for the cabin -- a great improvement. Here some pix of the cheered-up interior.

Once we had unpacked and stowed objects in appropriate places we looked at each other and exclaimed, almost in disbelief: This is perfect! A small home in a place where the sun sets over the sea (rosy glory) behind the purple mountains of Samos. Where the thin moon rises into a starry sky. Where we are gently rocked asleep and lulled through all our dreams. Where we do not have to rush (to avoid the next downpour of rain!) or to get things done before darkness falls. Where we can read, and listen to Mozart (on our excellent installation) or learn a language (joyful new words twisting round the tongue...) and David can puzzle over his equations concerning pandiagonal magic squares... 
Here he is seated at the nav table, happily employed...

 I have just completed reading Miss Garnet's Angel by Salley Vicars. Rarely have I felt so satisfied as I finished a book. I think I read this one at the right moment, in the right place. Felt quite sad that I had to close the last page -- but also complete, as if a puzzle had been solved. Many elements from Zarathustran thought/belief, about which I had learnt when visiting Iran. Highly recommended to all who are interested in angels and devils! And even those who aren't...

Have acquired a book which purports to be 'a complete self-study course for beginners' of Modern Turkish. How not to grow old...

This is a slightly blurry wave from Yara, back in Maastricht, distinctly resembling her auntie  Judith, though of course, profoundly herself!! So life goes on.
Bir, ici, uc... one, two three in Turkish.

Back from Maastricht

Musing upon the delights of having a one-and-a-half year olf granddaughter who laughs infectiously...
It rained considerably in Maastricht -- but who cares when we can play peek-a-boe behind a rug, the arm chairs, or round the corners of the room...
Here is Yara:

So I don't need to explain any more why it is such a joy to be with her!
We went for a walk through the green fields and admired the coppery coloured trees, saying hi to the ponies and bleating to the sheep (for Yara's benefit). No response despite my efforts ... Yara looked solemnly at all around -- gazed at the water churning through the mill stream, the white Labrador sniffing an unseen scent, the seagulls swooping overhead...
Back for supper (home-made pumpkin soup, delicious) and then more songs with Yara before she snuggled down in her cot.
Tomorrow is her Daddy's birthday. Oh tempus, how those 38 years have sped; well, not always -- uneven bumps and slides, more like it!
David and I drove home to Amsterdam, clear roads, little rain, but pretty cold -- 6 degrees Celsius as we entered the outskirts of the city.
Dreaming of the Mediterranean and shedding woollies.

Hindeloopen in the mizzle

We drove from Amsterdam northwards to Hindeloopen in Friesland, where our boat Stroemhella was built (over 30 years ago). A very misty morning and the cows looming out of the white softness covering the flat fields... Found our favourite cafe open in Hindeloopen (La Plage?) and ordered their speciality -- mustard soup. Delicious -- and just in time, because a power cut extinguished all electrical conveniences... So no coffee. But a wonderful home-made cherry cake of great moistness and excellence! Than you Wendelien and husband (he is the cook).
Then down through Friesland and took a route eastwards, avoiding the major cities of the Netherlands and consequent Friday bottlenecks, down through the Hoge Veluwe and after getting lost in the outskirts of Maastricht, finally made it to Daniel and Nadia's, in time for a relaxed evening meal.

Above two views of Hindeloopen, and David in the galley (kitchen) aboard.
Now for playtime with granddaughter Yara...

Wendie's widening world: Green English countryside

Wendie's widening world: Green English countryside: Left the thundering streets of London and the unending streams of brightly clothed people, young and old; briefly taking shelter with family...

Green English countryside

Left the thundering streets of London and the unending streams of brightly clothed people, young and old; briefly taking shelter with family and friends in certain corners of the city. Such as Dulwich, where once I went to school, and yesterday swam in the wonderful school swiming baths with my nephew and family (delightful twins Oscar and Freya and the ebullient Runa). Encouraged Oscar to consider becoming our cabin boy on Stroemhella. He asked: How old do I have to be? And: What does a cabin boy have to do? I furnished him with suitably inspiring answers. He has already done a dinghy sailing course, so my hopes are high. Freya, meanwhile, wrote me a pencilled letter covering a whole page of A4, and expressing her delight in having found a great aunt. I like this title. Though they simply called me "Wendie". Perhaps I lack a certa dignity necessary for the grand title...

Thence to Clapham and stayed with more friends of almost 50 years... They have a fine Victorian house, thoughtfully furnished with objects which are a delight to anyone with a feel for history, and not least a fine collection of prints and engravings, tastefully lining walls from the basement to the fourth floor attic.
Here a picture showing part of the room where I spent the night.

And the early morning view from my window, looking towards Battersea power station-as was...
The following day rain returned to rejoice the sodden earth.
I followed my detailed instructions and after train, underground and more train, reached Ardleigh where David was waiting for me at the bus stop opposite the Red Lion.

Sunshine in Essex, here some charming views of the English rural scene.
And we have been enjoying excellent English food -- well, one day we lunched in an Italian restarant, but today a fine old hotel in Mistley, once the headquarters of Matthew Hopkins (Google him) a gentleman of the 17th century much vexed by witches...

It is very peaceful here. Sat in the church, built of East Anglian flint, today full of flowers after the autumn flower festival. And thought of many things, and why can one find soul's quiet in some places and not in others, and how words do not cover the stretches of the mind...

Good bye Essex, tomorrow back to the Low Countree.

Not always raining...

Having a great time in the UK (England and Wales ths time...)
Visiting friends and family and brushing up my English idiom... how swiflty the language changes...

Here som pix to show the golden autumnal days when it didn't rain...
Above taken in Bedford.
Raining today...