UK

We had an early flight from Istanbul after our wakeup up call at 4.45am. Arrived Heathrow to a cool 21 degrees. Picked up rental car then hit the M25 . After one false start of heading south instead of north!!!! With Marie at the wheel we managed to navigate our way to Royston and to catch up with Phillip  and after picking up groceries we headed to our cottage at Duddenhoe End near Saffron Waldren. It was good to be able to unpack and get the washing on before going out to a local pub for a beautiful meal. The first of 4 pubs that are within a 3 mile radius  of the cottage that we will no doubt visit within the next two weeks. The cottage is on a working farm, one of three  holiday cottages. Its a cropping farm as well as having 24 thousand free range hens producing eggs for Tescos supermarket. They also have a 3 acre lake that people PAY to fish on.(Only carp) 
Today as we were about to set out to cricket we discovered a flat tyre so had to make a quick trip to Royston to get new tyre before heading to Hoddeston where Phillip was playing . His team won chasing down 185 runs with  6 overs to spare. Phil took 3 wickets for 21 but was not required to bat. Another game of cricket tomorrow at Reed (Royston home ground) We plan to take a picnic and enjoy a genteel day out.
Pictures of lake viewed from cottage and the resident geese that tap on  our window expecting to be fed , below, hopefully if wifi allows.

Istanbul pics of last days in Istanbul

Istanbul

We are on our own in  Istanbul. People, cars, people, smells, people, noise and more people. It is a bit cooler today 32 degrees. We visited Hya Sofia. This structure was first  built as a basilica  in 537AD then converted to a mosque in 1453AD then declared a museum by Ataturk in 1935. A stunning piece of architecture with its mosaics, paintings, and marble floors and pillars and also walls and even a marble door. We then bravely took the tram to the spice market. Wonderful aromas from the fresh and  colourful spices. Turkish delight heaven and bazaar shops everything from puppies, birds, flowers to turkish linen, jewellery, ceramics to genuine fake watches and handbags. We are exhausted.  Marie sitting on end of bath soaking fat feet in cold water. We have now decided that we all like turkish delight !  It is  nothing like the red jelly chocolate  that is always left in the box of chocolates.  ..

Isanbul

Day two started with a cruise on the Golden Horn and Bosphorus waterways. A great way to see Istanbul from another perspective and to realise how huge this city is. (Population in lonely planet book 2013 was 14 million.  Not sure was it is now)  We stopped off for lunch at the Rumell Fortress which was a few kilometers from the Black sea. This was  near one of the four bridges connecting europe and asia.  After a pleasant 3 hour cruise we joined the queues at the Topkapi Palace. The palace compound consisted of courtyards and pavilions, not like our modern palaces and it offered a glimpse of the lives of the Ottoman sultans. There would have been over 4000 people living here - sultan, his wives, children, concubines,  eunuchs and servants. The sultan and his family rarely left the palace grounds. We viewed the kitchen, the library, treasury with its incredible collection of jewels including a tear drop shaped 86 carat diamond. (The worlds 5th largest diamond) Both Marie and Sandy decided it was just a little bit large for a ring!!!! We were there till closing time and didnt see it all. That night we treated ourselves to room service because we were all exhausted.

Last day in Turkey

SHOPPING DAY.  The girls hit the grand bazaar until early afternoon satisfied with purchases, wallet empty and sore feet. We returned to hotel for a cuppa and to pack bags  as we have an early flight tomorrow morning. Meanwhile Malc, who wasnt interested in being our bag boy decided to visit a museum of the history of transportation, industry and communications. It was the Rahmi M. Coc Museum financed by a wealthy Turkish business man. The museum contains thousands of items from miniatures to a full sized submarine. Included were cars, trains, boats, engines, planes, motor bikes plus clocks and telephones etc, etc. He reckons he could have spent another day here. Malcolms highlight of Istanbul. Our next blog will be from the UK. We have thoroughly enjoyed Turkey. Have loved the people, food and sights.

Gallipoli

An early morning ferry ride over the Dardanelles and we were on the Gallipoli peninsula. We visited  the beach and cemeteries of Anzac cove then to the cemetery where Simpson was buried ( of Simpson and his donkey fame) then to Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. A special moment for the Australian and New Zealanders on the tour.
Unfortunately we only had half a day here before the long drive back to Istanbul.  For the first time on the tour nearly everyone had a litlle snooze except Sandy who was scared she was going to miss something on the way.
We had "our last supper" with our tour guide and new friends before our last night together in hotel. Sad to be finishing tour but have had a wonderful trip.

Troy

An early start sunday with a quick bus ride to visit the site of the virgin Mary's  supposedly last known residence  near the end of her life ( AD 37 - AD45)  A chapel has been built on her house foundations.
Then it was off to Troy. A city that archaeological digs proved that there had been nine separate periods of settlement (3000BC- AD 400) each successive period of habitation lies on top of its former  era. Fasinating site although small tells a big story. A very large wooden horse at entrance was rather tacky. The one we saw in Canakkale where we stayed that night, was much more tasteful and was a used in the movie Troy and was gifted to the city later.
We had dinner at a waterfront resturant overlooking the Dardanelles and towards Gallipoli peninsula.