I’m writing this email while Randal is in the galley cooking up a spaghetti dinner using some of the ground meat from the butcher. I’m not really a spaghetti person, but this evening I’m starving from the 4 hour walk in the hills this morning I did along with Sharman and her dog Sophie. If I type I can’t be eating so I won’t ruin my appetite for the spaghetti dinner.

Sharman takes Sophie walking every morning. They leave the marina at 8 am which is about 2 hours earlier than we usually go except when we do the Thursday Deks walks which meet at 9 am. Most of the cruisers say the 9 am walks are too early so Sharman usually goes alone with Sophie. Randal and I decided to go this morning with Sharman as our Deks walks are canceled while Denise is in England. I set our alarm for 6 am because lately we’ve been sleeping until 7 am or even later. We turn off the heat when we go to sleep so neither one of us wants to get out of our warm bed and into the cold saloon or pilot house. And with our porthole covers down to block the marina security lights, the mornings are pretty dark in our cabin. The 6 o’clock alarm was a bit of a shock, but I got up and turned on the kettle and the heat. Randal got up about 6:30 but he’d already decided to skip the walk. He was just getting up for coffee, Raisin Bran, and email. I had my usual oatmeal and raisins topped with yogurt and a large mug of tea. But there was no time to dawdle as I wanted to make the bed, wash the dishes, gather up the trash, pack juice and cookies and be at Sharman’s boat by 8 am. Deciding what to wear is a challenge. Yesterday Randal and I walked and I chose clothes based on my walk the day before that. I had been too hot so chose fewer clothes yesterday but was cold. Today I compromised and wore a middle amount. When we finally got back my fingers were numb and I was a bit chilled but ok.

We started up the path across from the marina since it was mostly dry and not a day of locals hunting. Sharman had printed out an aerial map from Google Earth so we had somewhat of a guide and truly no fear of getting lost. And we had juice and cookies and some coconut candy to suck on too. From my bike riding days I have learned to take food and drink. It was a beautiful sunny day and once we started climbing we both got warm enough to take off our jackets. We climbed and climbed and finally got to the top of the ridge.

The view from the top of the ridge.

We could actually see the Mediterranean on the southern coast of the peninsular. It was beautiful but quite windy so out came the jackets again.

Standing on the ridge overlooking both north and south coasts of the Karpaz Peninsular.

I could only hold my hand out so far so not the greatest photo. But you can see the wonderful path we were able to follow most of the way. Sharman has also spent a great deal of time in the tropics so both of us set off with warm clothes and wool hats. We often see cruisers in shorts but both of us are horrified wondering why they aren’t freezing.

Our goal was to get to the road you see in the photo that leads back to Sipahi and we sort of did that.

Sophie waiting for us.

In the distance down below is either Sipahi or Yenierenköy but I’m not sure.

Sophie is adorable. Sharman found her one day when Sophie was only a few weeks old and she was a mess. A few trips to the vet and great care and she is healthy as can be. She was supposed to be adopted by a family but the young son, who really wanted Sophie, just has too many allergies so Sophie and Sharman may be a team forever.

We came across this stone building with running water probably from an underground well or stream so Sophie had a drink form some of the dripped water.

We really weren’t sure exactly where the road was leading us but not particularly worried. Both of us really like to walk and go about the same speed. Eventually we came to a dirt road with white circles and green dots so I knew we were on the path that would take us to Sipahi. And that’s where we came out, at the top of the paved road above the basilica near one of the Greek Churches.

There is a church bell just visible in the tower but I’m not sure if the church is still in use.

We had about 25 minutes more to walk from this point and my fingers were getting quite numb and I was feeling a bit chilled. Sharman finally broke down and ate some of the chocolate covered digestive biscuits. If I’d skipped breakfast as she had done, I would have already eaten half of the biscuits plus the container and all of my coconut candy. As it was, the oatmeal had done a good job. Or so I thought until I got into the boat and immediately aimed for a bag of salty chips that were stashed in the pantry. I think I had eaten half the bag before I even sat down. I also ate a huge bowl of cabbage salad and some canned tuna that I’d opened for sandwiches. Since then I’ve eaten the last bit of chips Randal left in the bag, an orange, about a thousand cups of tea, a glass of the red wine Heidi and Kalle brought from their vineyard and a bit of the wonderful white cheese. If I wasn’t typing this email I’d probably be in the galley telling Randal to hurry up with that spaghetti. It certainly is nice being all cozy on the boat having someone else cook. That someone else doesn’t like to wash up though so that job will be mine which I don’t mind if I don’t have to cook.

I want one!

When Randal and I had walked yesterday afternoon we passed by this calf that called to us wanting something…probably food or its mom or whatever calves want. I let it lick my hand for a while and I scratched its ears. I was afraid to let it suck on my fingers because I could feel some teeth in there when it licked me. But it was so sweet and unafraid. When I stood up I noticed the lady of the house where the calf was chained had come out to watch. I stood up, said Merhaba, waved and Randal and I continued on our way. You can certainly see how long my hair has grown. I have no idea when it will be cut; probably when I can convince Randal to do it, or maybe Sharman. It certainly keeps my head and neck warm which is good.

I just checked in with Randal and it will be another HOUR before dinner.  Well the meat was frozen….. so I just broke off a chunk of what here is called "village bread" and got some more wine and  that will have to do. 

Ru

ps I’ve decided my new calf friend will be one that grows up to give milk to the local cheese factory and not shoulder to the butcher!