Up with the cows
We sleep like logs but our sleep is somewhat cut short. By 7am the motorhome club are raring to go as, Ankara beckons. After a quick farewell and thank you they are off on their way. We are the only motorhome on site and it is ever so peaceful. We look around and take time to absorb what can only be described as one of the most amazing campsites we have stayed at. The views over the lake, the mountains and countryside are jaw droppingly stunning. We text Mike with the details and see if he wants to join us. He’s been busy celebrating a village wedding for the last two days and like us, he is keen to chill.
We spend the morning washing, cleaning and returning everything to normal. All around us workers continue to put the finishing touches on the campsite. Water and electricity seems to be causing a few teething problems but I am sure it will soon be sorted. We try and find out how much the Van Edremit bld campsite fees are but we struggle. We are constantly told it is free because we have supported the site through the video. So if you plan on visiting just check, we think it might be 45TL (£5) per night but not 100% sure.
Sheep graze in the next field and flocks of birds constantly circle the lake. A herd of cows cross a tiny river and head towards towards us. I think this campsite must be have been their grazing ground and our presence clearly confuses them.
When Mike arrives he bring bad news. He’s been hanging around Lake Van for two weeks whilst his new driving licence is shipped from the UK. This morning, he finds out UPS have lost his licence somewhere in Italy. The finer details are unknown but it means he can longer continue his journey on to Georgia. And with only a couple of weeks left on his Turkish visa he cant afford to hang around and wait any longer. I feel for him, a once in a life time opportunity and no amount of compensation from UPS can fix it. There is only one remedy in situations like this, copious amounts of beer to numb the pain. Craig is summons to find an Ekomoni store to which he is more than happy to oblige.
At midday, we are invited over to lunch the olympic horse centre. The horses are well groomed and the setting amazing. We sit on the verandah and it feels rather grand, if not a little colonial. Sipping tea and dining with the instructors and the manager. The backdrop of the mountains around the lake remind me that, how wonderful and enchanting this area really is. The sun is warm, the breeze is cool, the air is powder dry and the rocky slopes all round us are bare and deeply gullied. I can think of no better settling for an olympic centre.
At sunset, we prepare a BBQ and celebrate with a few beers. Its a wonderful setting and made even more special when a local farmer passes by with his flock of sheep and goats. In typical Kurdish style he walks over to say hello. We offer him one of our kebabs and to our surprise he takes the whole plate and devours them. Bless, the poor chap must be starving. We chuckle away to ourselves as we look at the empty plate. Well at least we have beer, bread and a memory that will make us laugh for years to come.
Our Bumble free camping spot at Van GPS position N038.360732, E043.158869
Have a lie in this morning, yeah right. Unfortunately, it’s Turkey, a country always on the go. I have a feeling that they are still trying to sort the water issue. Roars, thumps, swishes and metallic crashes towards the shower block echo across the site. I pull back the curtains for a view of the lake, its a wonderful morning and the day begins.
Little did we know that water issues are contagious! Plans to set off towards Mardin are somewhat delayed by a broken kitchen tap. After a complete dismantle, Craig finds a tiny plastic pip has snapped. After several hours of glue setting experiments and bodge it attempts, he finally gets it working. Where would we be if Craig was not so handy? Motorhome accessory shops are not that easy to find here in Turkey and chances of finding an replacement tap is slim. Lets hope the bodge it job holds until we reach Greece.
We finally say goodbye, for a second time, to Mike. Its late afternoon and we head south, where to exactly, we are not sure but its feels good to be back on the road.
You’ve got quite a few followers Joanne beside me & some lovely comments ,I’m really pleased for you ,it’s a bit like being in the forces ,but Her Majesty paid all the expenses ,I used to be on guard ,now it’s you’re turn so DONT Drop you’re Guard ,Treat everyone with Respect as I know you will ,but still be aware Loads of Luv Pops XXX Mac n Tosh be good ❤️❤️❤️☘☘☘🐶🐶🐶😇😇😇
Will do Pops
I don’t know where to begin. Jealous, envious, etc bla bla bla. First of all, I think you are a great couple!
Following your dreams, travelling the world. I am an avid historian and have lately (old age 😬) become inspired by your adventure. I came across your blogs by chance and have followed them since. Super job, loving every detail. Keep up the hard work!! Cheers from Istanbul.
Thank you so much Hans for your kind words. Hopefully, we can catch up when we bumble back towards Istanbul.
Haha! I’m sure he went away absolutely delighted, not to mention full. Always hand a plate over with the food you want them to have. (A bit like tilting your hand when you’ve had enough tea to drink.) Live and learn, but what wonderful experiences you’re having! Mx
Ah I see. Slightly different approach to offering food but big impact. I will remember that for the future.
Been following you two for a few of years now and I have to say that you’re an inspiration. Today, I flicked back to your first post…via a ‘newsletter?’. It’s amazing to see how far you have come and how you have grown in confidence. Just looking at the comments that you have along the way, you have got to be proud of yourself.
I remember some earlier facebook posts too. You put yourselves out there for wild camping and were smacked down by a whole bunch of people – some well intentioned, to be sure. So many people telling you what you can’t do instead of how you could do it. You two don’t have the personality to let these people sway you, but at the time you two didn’t know how to wild camp and it would have been so easy to get sucked into that negativity.
Seeing the two of you reach Turkey and extend outside of Europe is just wonderful. It makes my heart melt and shows people you can go beyond the boindries of the press. Ignore what they say and find out for yourselves. It is also good that you are doing it in a motorhome too a d not 4×4 as most wannabe offroads would have you believe.
Thanks for sharing your journey.
Omg I forgot about the newsletters Ronnie. This is how Our Bumble all started with a weekly update to my mum who has dementia. One day when we are old and grey (not long now lol) we will look back and chuckle at our adventures.
At least he didn’t eat your dinner!!!! He will be coming with his friends soon….beware!!!!! Xxx
I know bless him
You two are my heroes! I love what you do and am learning so much from you. Right now I’m binge-reading your beginning articles every chance I get to catch up. I’m living and learning on my Hymer B594 in a marina near Barcelona. We are so called working nomads but never end up moving because work ties us down. I need to learn from you two.
Best of luck to you and thanks for everything!
Hi guys, Barcelona is a great place to work with sunshine and sea! Th ajs for dropping by and hope to see you on the road one day x
Fame!!! It’s going to last forever. ….or at least until you leave Turkey.
Now I have that sing ‘fame’ in my head, cheers
Nice one. When he comes back tomorrow you will have to try and tell him he has a following on facebook. Lol. Fab photos
Haha I think he will be back for more.