Temperatures fell sharply in the night and when I push open the motorhome doors it feels ice cold. I quickly retreat for my fleece and then take the dogs for a walk. Craig locates the Dyson window washer and removes the first of this years condensation from the windscreen. As we approach the end of our tour of Turkey, we can no longer ignore the fact that we are feeling pretty down. Why can’t we press rewind and start all over again? We have loved Turkey and leaving is much harder than we expected.
We spend the morning in the old quarters of Canakkale. An atmospheric place with cobbled lanes, a clock tower and long sweeping waterfront promenade. The wooden horse from the film Troy takes pride place on the seafront square.
After a toot around the excellent Naval museum (photos limited) we enjoyed another Mac Donalds before packing up and heading over to the ferry.
The ferry from Canakkale to Kilidulbahir leave on the hour every hour and it costs 65 tl (£8.50) for the motorhome and two adults. The crossing takes around 20 minutes but best to avoid at peak times because it gets manic. Turkish people do not know the meaning of the word ‘queue’ and a frantic rage to get on the ferry first becomes an obsession. It is comical to watch. It leaves nothing but a car park car mess that resembles a knotted ball of wool. The only solution is to call for reinforcements, the police. An hour behind schedule we say cheerio to Asia, cross the Dardanelles Straits and arrive in Europe.
Once in Kilidulbahir we park up at the castle, take an early evening stroll and look back on coast of Asia. Such wonderful memories that one day we will cherish. But tonight, I can’t deny, I shed a silent tear or two. Right now, I really am very sad to leave, Turkey has captured a piece of my heart.
Our Bumble parking spot at Kilidulbahir GPS position N040.147727, E026.380432
Turkey is the best country as a tourism destination in Asia. Period. Thanks for the post, Jianne & Craig. Come back to Turkey, soon
I hardly know where to begin other than by thanking you two for allowing me to join you, however vicariously, on your adventure. I find the two of you so engaging and inspirational that it surprises me that someone like the BBC or some other tv channel hasn’t approached you with an offer to serialise your adventure. Simon Reeves is not a patch on what you have achieved in Turkey. What the two of you put out in the way of blogs and pictures is much better, much more engaging and just pure honesty
Totally agree! I would love to watch Bumbles TV travels.
Good Morning! We have been following your blog just as you transitioned from the newsletter to the website and we really enjoy it! We down sized twice in the past two yrs to eventually leave The UK last May. We put what little we had left in storage, put a roof top tent on our truck and drove across the states stopping at the many of the national parks, we even went up through Canada. After 10000 miles and 3 months of travel we eventually settled in southern California. You two have inspired us! We have started to talk about heading back to Europe and maybe even look for a motorhome and take a look into the “Off the Grid” life style.
Hi guys! So here I’am , a 75 year old retiree being totally inspired by a couple of young wepper snappers and loving every minute of it!! I love you folks! I’ve following your motorhome adventure since the very beginning. So although I’m retired my income is fixed and not very much, you probable heard the horror stories about seniors living from day to day, welcome to the UK. In the twilight of my life I would love to something like you guys are doing but on a smaller scale. Maybe just nipping over to France?
Oh, by the way just to let you know, you guys are still on your honeymoon, I’ve been married to my bride for 52 years. I thought our little jaunt in our later years could be a nice second honeymoon for her!
We used that ferry when we drove through to North Cyprus via Greece and Turkey many years ago and Intend to repeat the experience in a couple of years. We had a fabulous time driving from the IoM to North Cyprus
I feel very sad for selfish reasons though. I, and my hubby, have LOVED your amazing journey, your brilliant way of storytelling which made us feel part of the journey, and of course your incredible photography. Safe travels home, please start planning your next adventure soon . All the very best to you both and Mac and Tosh too of course. xxx
My wife Wendy and I bought a Compass Avantgarde last November and have so far travelled up on a round trip to Northumbria, Cumbria and Wales and then down to the SW peninsula of Cornwall staying on sites witha little wild camping in between. I’ve has solar panels fitted so we’re off to do the NC500 in Scotland in January.
So your European tour is of interest as we want to travel down to Southern Spain take in Granada and Carcassonne on the way back.
So far I use Google Earth to provide a framework route plus ACSI CC & CCC sites. Slowly building up for a tour to Greece via Italy then Morocco via Portugal and Spain. But you have thrown a spanner in the works with Turkey! How do I fit it in?
Thanks for giving us access to your blog. Hope to reciprocate when we have some similar adventures to share
Dear friends, welcome back to Europe. It was a beautiful trip through Turkey which also fascinated us. We will continue to be with you and would be very happy if you would make a stopover in the Black Forest on the way back home to England!! We will be at home.
Be care and keep in touch.
Love
Peter & Carola
Awe, I got tears in my eyes reading that. Really enjoyed your Turkish adventures xxx