All posts by Ruth

Roanoke, VA

Help free Buttons!

July 7, 2015 Ruth

Hi Everyone,

Remember Buttons, founding member of the Netsel Coffee Club with his owner Colins? His plight continues….

Formerly DoraMac and now Terra Firma

Campaign launched to free loyal seadog trapped in quarantine after owner’s death

By South Wales Evening Post | Posted: July 07, 2015

Buttons is currently in quarantine

A campaign has been launched to free an old seadog trapped in rabies quarantine after his owner died on their luxury yacht.

Loyal pet Buttons was left high-and-dry when his owner Colin Spiers suddenly died after spending seven years sailing the high seas together.

Colin, of Llanddewi Velfrey, West Wales, and his wife Jane, aged 55, lived the dream – travelling around the Mediterranean with 17-year-old loyal pooch Buttons.

Heartbroken Jane tried to bring the Jack Russell-Cairn terrier cross back to Britain after 71-year-old Colin died at sea.

But border chiefs locked-up the little salty seadog over fears he could have rabies – despite being in perfect health.

And Jane is worried the family could face more tragedy if 17-year-old Buttons dies while locked-up for ten weeks in a quarantine kennel.

Jane said: “I am just so frightened that Buttons is going to die behind bars.

“I went to see him in kennels and it broke my heart; he was just so sad and old. He is pining badly for us, and particularly Colin.

“My life at the moment is desperately sad and stressful, further compounded by the heartache of knowing that our much-loved family pet is isolated and away from those who love him so much.”

Colin lived most of his life on the sea – working for the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst – before taking retirement so he could cruise around the Mediterranean.

Dad-of-four Colin, Jane and Buttons left their home in 2008 to travel around the coasts of France, Spain, Italy and Greece.

Wherever they went Buttons would be seen scampering in and out of cabins and across the decks in his little red life jacket.

Jane said: “He’s always been a sparky, plucky little dog.

“He was known on most of the waterfronts on the Med because of his magnificent beard and his fondness for a cappuccino in the mornings.”

They had been living at the Netsel Marina in Marmaris Turkey where Colin was a popular figure in the local sailing community.

Grandfather-of-five Colin was known as “The Mayor” because he helped with so many of the marina activities, organising socials and hosting his own radio show.

But last month he was discovered dead on his “beloved” yacht called Hydaway as he was getting ready to go on his latest voyage.

Colin was buried on a hill near the sea at Icmeler and Buttons returned to the UK – where he was seized by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Buttons – who is suffering from a heart murmur, cataracts, deafness and arthritis – has been held in a quarantine kennel and looks set to be there until the end of August.

Jane added: “Buttons doesn’t understand what he’s done wrong.

“There is no chance that Buttons could be carrying rabies. He is just a victim of a tick box exercise by DEFRA.”

Jane, who is currently in Bath where she is looking after her elderly father, is desperate to be reunited with little Buttons.

Buttons is being held because there was a lapse of just two days in his rabies vaccination more than two years ago.

Jane is “at a loss” as to why Buttons as been quarantined because he is not showing any symptoms of rabies and has a high level of antibodies in his blood.

Eminent vet Ian Wright, the head of The European Scientific Counsel for Companion Animal Parasites UK & Ireland doesn’t believe Buttons is a risk to humans or other animals.

He said: “There is no known carrier state for rabies beyond six months to a year.”

Jane is appealing to Farming, Food and Marine Environment minister George Eustice to “free the bearded one”.

Simon Hart, MP for Carmarthen west and South Pembrokeshire, has written to the minister to say: “This is a case of red tape superseding common sense.”

“I would urge you to intervene in this exceptional case and let Buttons be returned to his family. He quite clearly is not a rabies risk.”

VA, Virginia

Art Journaling at the Roanoke City Market

July 3, 2015 Ruth

Roanoke, VA 24012

Happy 4^th of July everyone! Imperfect as this country might be, all of our travelling made me truly appreciate being born here!

DoraMac / Terra Firma

I signed up for a morning of sketching and painting and really enjoyed it immensely though you might not tell that from my art work. But I did learn a lot. And I know it takes me at least two or 3 tries at the same thing to get a finished product I sort of like. (So I need to go back and try again!! And again!!!) I had talked my friend Jane Field into going along and we both vowed that we needed to draw and paint more often as we both needed lots of practice. The weather cooperated perfectly with enough sun for shadows but not blazing heat! “Everything’s good!” to quote Cape Cod Coni

A Morning on the Roanoke City Market: Pen & Ink + Watercolor studies—Robin Poteet
1 class: Wednesday, July 1 • 9 a.m.–noon • $15
The Roanoke City Market is ideal for quick studies of people, produce, flowers and architecture. Join Robin for a stroll through the market—we’ll look at the sights, shapes and colors, do quick studies and take photos as we walk around. There are plenty of benches to settle into as you refine your sketches and turn them into little watercolor or pen & ink gems. So… pick up a coffee and pastry and meet Robin at the corner of Market St. and Campbell at 9 a.m. for a fun, relaxing morning!

Jane and I did meet for coffee and then went off for a really fun morning!

We sketched some and then moved to tables for the painting

. Jane working on her painting.

This is Barbara Dickinson whom I know as the author of The Rebellious House and Small House, Large World. I learned that she has also written a book called Lifeguards –and Safeguards which I’ll pick up from the library on Monday from the library. Now I know what a wonderful artist she is!

Barbara Dickinson

Her contribution to the Roanoke Arts scene is huge!

Posted: Friday, April 10, 2015 12:00 am (sadly we were still in Turkey so I missed this.)

By mike.allen@roanoke.com

“On April 5, 1956, Barbara Dickinson boarded a boat bound for Europe, embarking on the first of a lifetime of world travels.

The sketches she made of the sights she saw in foreign lands over the next 60 years adorn the walls of the LinDor Arts gallery in downtown Roanoke, where her new show, “Well Traveled” will stay on display through the end of this month.

More than 200 paintings and drawings depict scenes from Great Britain, Ireland, Spain, Egypt, the Netherlands, Japan, China, France and elsewhere. It’s akin to a detailed travel diary, but recorded in pictures rather than words.

“I think I’m a frustrated architect because I love buildings,” she joked about her choice of subject matter.

Dickinson, 82, was the first paid director of the Roanoke Fine Arts Center, now the Taubman Museum of Art. During her two-year stint, from 1958 to 1960, she founded the city’s best-known, longest-lived arts event, the Sidewalk Art Show.

She’s quite proud of what the show has become. She called the expansions of both the show and the museum over the next 57 years “amazing.”

After leaving the museum, she taught art in Roanoke City Public Schools for 20 years. She also raised five children, all of whom returned to Roanoke last week to catch the opening of her show.

“It was a highly successful, rambunctious, wonderful opening night,” she said. “I’m still sort of in euphoria.”

She was flattered that a number of regional artists whom she considers her betters stopped in to see her show, among them Botetourt County artist Vera Dickerson.

Dickinson credits Dickerson’s classes at the Studio School in southwest Roanoke with inspiring a new interest in oil painting, although her passion for art began in childhood. She remembers drawing with pastels and pencils when she was 6.

She earned a degree in art history at Wellesley College and worked at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., just prior to her first trip abroad.

Had she not taken that boat to Europe, she wouldn’t be in Roanoke today. While living in Heidelberg, Germany, she met Robert Rogers, stationed there as a lieutenant with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps. “He won my heart,” she said.

Rogers, a son of the co-founder of the Woods Rogers law firm in Roanoke, brought her back to the Star City in 1958 as his bride. He died in 1976, just 18 months after his appointment to a circuit court judgeship.

Dickinson has been married and widowed three times. She speaks fondly of all three husbands. “I’ve had a charmed life,” she said. “I feel very blessed.”

Her travels, though, were undertaken on her own initiative. Sometimes they were vacations with her spouse, sometimes study trips or art tours, sometimes visits with children living abroad.

“These are not extravagant trips that I took,” she said. “I have been very fortunate in my travels and I love it.”

She recalled telling Billy Dickinson, the man who became her third husband, “Marry me and see the world.”

She views her show, too, as a way to let people see the world. She’s priced her work modestly, from $15 for a small sketch to $200 or more for a painting. She wanted her pieces to be available to anyone who might want to own “a slice of Europe,” she said.

“I think it’s important to have original art in your house,” she said.

“Before I leave this world,” she said, she hopes to travel back to Europe by boat once more, and take time to visit many places she hasn’t seen yet.”

My attempts below.

I had no clue how really to begin but finally did though not with the quick sketches around the market. Next time I’ll really make myself quick sketch just to see how to fit what I want to draw on the paper which I did rather badly this time.

Reality and then my attempt but I ran out of paper at the bottom of the picture. And humans add interest so I included one of the group in this picture.

Again, I ran out of room on the top for the actually hanging planters and I needed to have shaded the glass windows of the Roanoke Weiner Stand. I was mostly practicing on the planters.

Robin did a wonderful job of encouraging everyone with their work. Before we started she gave us a handout of tips for creating better and more interesting travel sketches. I should have read mine many more times before I started but will re-read it many more times while I’m out sketching!

Robin at work

http://www.robinpoteet.com/

Roanoke, VA

The End. and The Beginning

June 25, 2015 Ruth

June 25, 2015

Roanoke, VA

Randal and I packed up our 4 overweight suitcases and 2 carry-ons and came home to Roanoke. Living on the sea is a very detached way of living and living on the land is a very attached way of living. It will take time adapting.

No longer on DoraMac

Randal and I are now what my friend Linda calls CLODs : Cruisers living on dirt. We were never called CLOBs which would be a cruiser living boats, but then if you’re living on a boat I guess you are a cruiser and the rest would be redundant. I thought I’d prefer the term land-lubber thinking it someone who preferred living on land. But it really means someone who is a total oaf at sea and though I would never consider myself a seaman by any means; I wasn’t as bad as all that.

“The word *landlubber*, first recorded in the late 1690s, is formed from *land* and the earlier *lubber*. This *lubber* dates from the fourteenth century and originally meant ‘a clumsy, stupid fellow; lout; oaf’. By the sixteenth century it had developed the specialized sense ‘an unseamanlike person; inexperienced seaman’, which is the same sense as *landlubber* and was eventually combined with *land* to emphasize the unfamiliarity-with-the-sea aspect.

*Lubber* itself is probably related to or derived from *lob*, a word also meaning ‘a clumsy, stupid fellow; lout’, which is chiefly an English dialect form but occasionally appears in America (for example: “He is generally figured as nothing but a lob as far as ever doing anything useful…is concerned” — Damon Runyon). Though *lob* is not found until around 1500, somewhat later than *lubber*, *lob* is clearly related to words in other Germanic languages meaning ‘a clumsy person’.”

From The Mavens’ Word of the Day (October 9, 1997)

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/24/messages/1176.html

Randal is working with the engineers and Roanoke County for the land disturbance permit. Then we can make the drive that will lead to the house and clear the plot where the house will be so the architect can start to draw the house plans. I have signed up for 2 art events. One is a morning of sketching and painting in downtown Roanoke led by a local artist. I’ve also signed up for a watercolor landscape painting class that meets 3 times in August. I’ve also joined the book club at the Salem Public Library because my sister had a blurb about it and so I got a copy of the book and went. Fun! I love libraries. And being able to take art classes. Both are why I was ready to come home.

A few last photos from Marmaris

Walking from our small hotel back to the marina. Marmaris had lots of charm, especially early in the morning when I would take my walks.

Our friends Doug and Irene rent a lovely 3 level apartment in Marmaris. They hosted a going away lunch for us with many traditional Russian dishes. Irene is from St. Petersburg. Doug is a Scot!

Seval and Mehmet

Most of the work getting DoraMac ready for sale was done by Guven Marine. Both Seval and Mehmet are wonderful people. We took them to our favorite waterfront restaurant, Neighbors, for dinner as a thank you for all of their hard work and concern for DoraMac. It was a lovely evening.

Guven Marine is a family business. The couple, Mehmet and Gooitske Seval Guven, are managing their workshop in Marmaris Netsel Marina.

They both have been involved in yachts and tourism for a long time. At the time they met in 1988, Mehmet was working for one of the first yacht managing & ferryboat companies in Marmaris, and Seval was working as a hostess/deckhand on a private sailing yacht.

Mehmet holds a German degree in engine construction design and a Dutch degree in computer engineering, combined into ‘mechatronics’. He is managing the team ‘in the field’ and supervising work orders.

Gooitske (her Turkish name is Seval) has a degree in tourism & hotel business and worked in different countries all over western Europe. She is responsible for the office work and public relations.

They both speak fluent Turkish, English, Dutch and German.

http://guvenmarinemarmaris.com/?page_id=12

For a table outdoors, especially on the weekends you better reserve early! I ordered sardines every time with salad which was sort of special and it was wonderful every time. The wait staff were great guys!

Roanoke

Testing out my small watercolor palate for the walk/sketch/ paint morning July 1^st.

“The Roanoke City Market is ideal for quick studies of people, produce, flowers and architecture. Join Robin for a stroll through the market—we’ll look at the sights, shapes and colors, do quick studies and take photos as we walk around. There are plenty of benches to settle into as you refine your sketches and turn them into little watercolor or pen & ink gems. So… pick up a coffee and pastry and meet Robin at the corner of Market St. and Campbell at 9 a.m. for a fun, relaxing morning!” http://www.thestudioschool.biz/classes/

My stack of library books!

The one on the top is the Salem Public Library’s next book club selection; Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. Ice tea, cookies and conversation at the Afternoon Book & Tea Club. I’m glad I have a kindle, but I love books more!

Marina Apart Otel, Marmaris, Turkey

Bozuk Buku

June 8, 2015 Ruth

Marine Apart Otel

Marmaris, Turkey

Merhaba,

We will leave Marmaris Thursday on the 11 am bus for Izmir. Then it will be real for me. Until then it’s just not possible to take it all in. I am excited to be returning to Roanoke but sad to say good-bye to our friends in Marmaris. The packing and airports, not so fun. We will continue with our website. We’ve met many people around the world and now we can show them the US rather than showing our American friends, the world.

This will be my final email until we arrive home as the computer will probably be packed away soon. Tonight will be our last Pineapple Happy Hour and tomorrow the last coffee at Kahve Dünyası …at least for now. One truly never knows the future and we really do like Turkey. It has been very good to us.

DoraMac

Randal chose Bozuk Bükü as an overnight stop because of its short distance from Marmaris and the opportunity to tie up at one of the restaurant docks in the bay. Had we one more day, we would have spent more time hiking around to see the remains of the fortress walls. We’ll have to leave it to Claes and Bertha and their kids to do the exploring.

“Opposite the Greek islands of Rhodes and Symi, this remote bay is completely undeveloped, and sheltered on all sides. On the headland are the remains of Hellenistic fortifications. The Athenian fleet took shelter here during the Peloponnesian War.” http://www.cntraveller.com/recommended/itineraries/classic-itinerary-turkey/viewgallery/479712

http://makedonia-alexandros.blogspot.com.tr/2012/09/loryma-rhodian-fortress-source-of.html tells much more of the fortress’ history.

The Western Shores of Turkey: Discovering the Aegean and Mediterranean Coasts

By John Freely looks to be a good book for anyone exploring this area. https://books.google.com.tr/books?id=84WaOXNwWfoC&pg=PA258&lpg=PA258&dq=ancient+loryma+turkey&source=bl&ots=o5LcKGhbK9&sig=WZBrlLxQQDh1IMMnTt-D9bwe5Tc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=3nF1VdWjFcT4yQO7zILwBg&ved=0CGAQ6AEwDA#v=onepage&q=ancient%20loryma%20turkey&f=false

This restaurant at the ”far end of the bay ” was recommended to us. There are 2 others in the bay.

When we arrived men from the restaurant came to catch our lines and then bring tea. Randal, Bertha and Claes preferred beer so that was brought to the boat too. Afternoon activities were a swim and rest for Bertha and Claes; a nap for Randal; and I went off on a hike to find the donkeys. Then it was time for dinner at 7 at the restaurant.

Bertha was trying to show one of the restaurant staff how to use her phone for photos. This group photo was with my camera. Notice below the name DoraMac it now says, London UK which is where she will be registered. And most likely she will receive a new name that reflect a strong meaning for Claes and Bertha and their family.

Crystal clear water and very rocky beaches

Docking is free but you are expected to eat at the restaurant. Free toilets and showers are also available. This set up is not unusual along the coast.

Relaxing with a bottle of red just before dinner.

A charming fun waiter and a wonderful assortment of meze. We shared two orders of grilled fish and two orders of calamari but the meze would have been quite enough!

Earlier in the afternoon I’d gone for a walk to find the donkeys. These three seemed quite friendly and had I some carrots or apples I could have fed them.

It’s very desolate and only approachable by boat. I climbed up to some of the walls until something hissed at me quite loudly at which point I quickly backed down the hillside. Whether it was a snake or some hissing beetles, I didn’t stick around to find out.

Randal and I went for a quick walk before we left late Saturday morning.

Marina Apart Otel, Marmaris, Turkey

DoraMac training cruise for Claes and Bertha : part 1

June 7, 2015 Ruth

Marina Apart Otel

Marmaris, Turkey

Günaydın,

We’ve had a lovely several days! Friday morning we left for a short 2 day cruise as guests on DoraMac. Sunday afternoon we were invited to the apartment of friends for a lovely farewell lunch. This email is part 1 about our cruise to Bozuk Bükü.

Formerly of DoraMac

Claes and Bertha are experienced sailors. But DoraMac has systems new to them so we went out on a training cruise where they would do all of the work and Randal would stand-by to teach and assist. I had the most relaxing cruise ever as I just had to sit back and watch everyone else do all of the work! The sea was flat and the winds were very light; perfect for a diesel trawler. Our destination was Bozuk Bükü about 27 miles from Marmaris. It is a lovely protected bay where you can tie up to a restaurant dock for the price of an evening meal. We were told to choose the far restaurant if there was room. It’s still early in the season so we found a space along with a half dozen other boats tied or anchored there. It’s a beautiful spot where Claes and Bertha intend to return in August with their children during a month of cruising.

Practice deploying and retrieving the paravane stabilizers.

Only rough seas call for the stabilizers but Bertha and Claes wanted to learn the process while Randal was there to teach them. They handled it quite easily. While Claes prevented the metal fish from touching the sides of the boat Bertha reeled them in far faster than I ever did without even breaking a sweat. I was truly impressed!!!

I’ve never been able to take photos of this process as Randal and I were too busy doing it ourselves and there isn’t time to stop for photos.

Lowering the dinghy and dingy motor

Our second morning we left the dock and dropped anchor in the bay. Claes and Bertha wanted to see how we lowered and then re-secured the dinghy.

Bertha creating gourmet lunches!!!!

Bertha loves to cook and our lunch meals were just wonderful!

She and I had made a trip to the Thursday market the day before so there were fresh fruits, vegetables, olives, cheese and herbs for the wonderful dishes she created. Randal’s “welcome aboard” pecan pie was for dessert.

Bertha and Claes on their boat DoraMac!

We shared the special bottle of wine they’d brought for the occasion just before our celebratory dinner at Neighbors when we returned back to Marmaris.

Marina Apart Otel, Marmaris, Turkey

Türlü Türlü (A little of this and a little of that)

May 27, 2015 Ruth

Marina Apart Otel

Marmaris, Turkey

Iyi Geceler,

This email is Türlü Türlü,

Formerly of DoraMac

I just learned a new Turkish word: tὕrlὕ tὕrlὕ which can mean ‘a little of this and a little of that.’ In the Philippines there was a wonderful dessert called Halo Halo which mean ‘a little of this and little of that.’ I don’t think tὕrlὕ tὕrlὕ is any kind of Turkish dessert but I’ll have to see if something similar exists.

We are revisiting the Yılmaz İskender so I can showcase the man who actually is responsible for the wonderful food they serve. He was moving so fast our first visit my photo of him was too fuzzy, a disappointment to both him and me. As we eat there at least 2 or 3 times each week it was easy enough to take another photo.

The hand is quicker than the camera. No frozen anything slapped on the grill: here it’s all from scratch! Slices are shaved from the grilled chicken and lamb rotisseries for many of the dishes. Roanoke needs this!

The giant cheese, mushroom, tomato omelet with the basket of bread was for me! All of it!!! I ate the cucumber and tomato and 2/3 of the omelet. Ben çok doluydu. I was very full!!!

Jane hosted some of the ladies for dinner because Colin wanted to treat us. She and Coni were doing a strange dance trying not to block each other in the photo. Grace and Gwen watch the antics. You can see the blue stack of the huge Thompson cruise ship in the backside of A Dock.

Coni has the most amazing T-shirt collection. Popeye with bling!

In 2013, our first year in Netsel (second time in Marmaris) we sort of met Susie and Dave. Well Susie anyway. We were berthed quay-side just near the marina entrance and restaurant row I was out hanging laundry for everyone to see. Susie and a friend walked by. We made enough of a memorable contact that our next meeting reminded both of us of the laundry! That meeting was in Nisyros, Greece where Susie and David caught our lines when we pulled up to the town dock. We were very new to Med mooring so that was very helpful. Susie and David live near London so we exchanged cards thinking to meet up and lo and behold, they came to visit us at St Katherine’s Dock. They time-share ownership of a sailboat and were cruising near the Marmaris area when recent rough weather brought them into Netsel for the night. They were pulled up at the fuel dock when David noticed our boat and came to say hello. We were invited to their boat for drinks and meet their longtime friends Anne and Piero who had joined them for some sailing.

We had a very lovely time during which I had my first Pimm’s # 1. Quite good I must say. I had 2 small glasses and could walk and talk afterwards so it’s not so strong….? Not totally unlike Sangria only better I think.

“Pimm’s No. 1, a gin-based liqueur, is named after James Pimm, the bar owner who created it in the mid 1800s. By the 1860s, it was bottled. Why “No. 1”? Well, at one point, there were other “cups,” numbered 2 through 6, based on brandy, rum and other spirits.

But the No. 1, a reddish tonic with citrusy and bitter notes, has always been the star, and it is not quite like anything else on the shelf. Over the years, it has developed a reputation as a quintessentially British refresher, consumed in ungodly amounts every year at Wimbledon.” http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/13/dining/the-pimms-cup-grows-in-popularity-as-a-summer-cocktail.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinkadvice/10914086/How-to-make-the-perfect-Pimms.html

We made a plan to meet at 9:30 next morning at Kahve Dünyası before they left the next day to continue their sailing in what was to be better weather.

Randal Susie and Dave who was game enough to try a mug of Salep at my recommendation.

Piero and Ann ( I am hopefully spelling his name anywhere near what it really is )

Marina Apart Otel, Marmaris, Turkey

update

May 24, 2015 Ruth

May 24, 2015

Marina Apart Otel

Marmaris, Turkey

Günaydın,

On the 21^st Randal and I moved off DoraMac to the small hotel near the marina. We return each day to clean and get her in shipshape for Claes and Bertha who will arrive on June 1^st. They are the new owners of DoraMac. She will definitely be in good hands for the next adventure in her life.

DoraMac

Marmaris, Netsel Marina, Turkey

Flowers for Colin

May 16, 2015 Ruth

B Dock Netsel Marina

Marmaris, Turkey

Merhaba

We had a memorial Happy Hour for our friend Colin. Then we all attended his funeral in the Iҫmeler cemetery. This past Saturday was the day to make his grave into a garden.

DoraMac

Flowers for Colin

Friday Jane and Coni had biked to the big nursery just near the amphitheater not far from the Thursday market. Jane selected a variety of plants for Colin’s grave and the very kind owners delivered all of the plants to the marina. On Saturday I joined Jane and Coni for a trip to the cemetery to plant everything. When you visit Colin you can see the lovely garden Jane has made for him.

The Iҫmeler Cemetery just off the old Datҫa Road.

The driveway is just a bit further and there’s a road up to the higher part where the non-Turks are buried. I can’t call those buried here foreigners as all had chosen to make Turkey their home.

The rock garden at one end was created when we cleared the soil for the plants.

The plastic containers and the white stones were reused to decorate around the roses and to hold some of the plants. The containers had held a display from Colin’s sister April and her sons James and Robin. Other notes and ribbons from bouquets were also arranged among the plants.

There are 3 rose bushes and on the center one is a Valentine’s card Jane had made for Colin years ago. He’d saved it.

Marmaris, Netsel Marina, Turkey

Yılmaz İskender for the best Lahmacun lunch! Or maybe an Omelet or lamb wrap.

May 16, 2015 Ruth

Merhaba,

It’s a lovely time in Marmaris. The sun shines every day, but the blazing heat hasn’t yet arrived. Our days our definitely winding down here. We left the boat yard in China in June of 2007 so it’s fitting that we leave DoraMac again in June.

This is another “food” email mostly about my new favorite food – lahmacun. Oddly, I think my first one was in London! But I’ve just recently gotten hooked on them because of the very light crispy crust and the great greens that are served with them here in Turkey. Roket/arugula is also a favorite and the markets are booming with it now as the real fruit and veggie season is in full swing.

DoraMac

Yılmaz İskender for the best Lahmacun lunch! Or maybe an Omelet or lamb wrap.

We eat lunch in town just about every day so have become ‘regulars’ in several of the local places away from the more touristy waterfront. One of our newer favorites is Yılmaz İskender. The food is really good and the prices are pretty unbeatable.

Cape Cod Coni put us on to this place as her favorite for take away wraps. Randal and I often stroll over for lunch. Lamb wraps, hamburgers with real French fries, lots of salad greens and the biggest omelet in Marmaris with lots of salad and fries! I do mean the biggest that falls off the edge of the plate.

The restaurant’s Master of Ceremonies! And the guys who make the food so good.

My new favorite is the lahmacun with a plate of arugula (roket) cucumber, tomato, parsley and lemon.

The photo on the left gives you a better idea of the size where the one on the right looks as huge as the table. I like the flavor and crispiness but the salad stuff just clinches it for me.

“This Middle Eastern countries are no strangers to versions of pizza and this one is commonly found in Turkey. The paper-thin lahmacun is a popular lunch time snack. Lemon is liberally squeezed over and then it is rolled up with sliced tomatoes and parsley. “ Secrets of the Turkish Kitchen by Angie Mitchell Sunkur The crust is paper thin which makes it so good and the lamb is a spicy kick to it. I can eat the entire plateful and not feel stuffed. I totally prefer this to even thin crust pizza and I definitely don’t miss the cheese. I’d like it with garlic, olive oil and lamb too!

Yılmaz translates to Indomitable. Iskender is a Turkish dish which I just learned was named for its originator Iskender Efendi. Iskender was our friend Ed’s favorite dish. I prefer the lamb wraps which aren’t quite so huge or drenched in butter.

“ İskender kebap is one of the most famous meat foods of northwestern Turkey and takes its name from its inventor, İskender Efendi, who lived in Bursa in the late 19th century.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%B0skender_kebap

“It is basically pide bread cut into small pieces, topped with thin slices of döner meat, tomato sauce garnished with yogurt and pickled or grilled green pepper — and the taste enhancer of all, hot melted butter poured on top of everything before eating. It sounds so simple, doesn’t it?” http://www.todayszaman.com/expat-zone_iskender-is-the-kebab-i-seek_153682.html

http://videosofturkey.com/video_details.asp?id=291 Iskender Kebap (Doner Kebap), was introduced by Iskender Efendi (1848-1934) in Bursa in 1860s. He started roasting the lamb, which had been cooked parallel to a fire on the ground for centuries, on a large vertical spit.

These famous Turkish restaurants (original ones) serve with 3 restaurants in Bursa and Istanbul (Kadikoy)

Marmaris, Netsel Marina, Turkey

Not Girl Scout Cookies or school candy bars….

May 12, 2015 Ruth

Hi Everyone,

Some of you have met my nephew Andrew or read about him when he came to London and stayed with Randal and me on DoraMac. He teaches design and is a designer/maker. http://www.andrew-dahlgren.com/ is his website and you can watch the TED talk he gave recently in Philadelphia. Very interesting (and I’m not just being a biased aunt.) He is trying to compete for a grant and needs some votes. If you have facebook it’s simple. You just click on the link below and then vote for Andrew.

Thanks for thinking about it and double thanks if you vote.

From Andrew:

“Hello! I have entered the Chase Mission Main Street Grant competition to win $100,000! To make it to the juried round I need 250 votes by June 18.

Please follow this link —

https://www.missionmainstreetgrants.com/b/19485 — and vote for me!

…

To vote you need a Facebook account. So please repost and share the link with friends and family.

The application process required me to respond to five questions about my business. Only the jury will see the answers. However I thought it would be helpful to share how I would use the grant if I won it.

The majority of the grant funds will be used to purchase a Stoll industrial scale automated knitting machine, one of the world’s most advanced knitting machines. The next largest amount of the grant funding will be used to establish an apprenticeship program to train people to use both manual and automated knitting machines. The training program will consist of a six month paid apprenticeship for two people. The training will cover all steps of the knitting based manufacturing process – from understanding knitted textile structures to learning Stoll software to running and maintaining the knitting machines to garment assembly. Upon completion of the apprenticeship program the new trainees will be promoted to creative technicians to run equipment on a daily basis. The investment in technology and onsite workforce development will instantly allow my company to take on a new scale of orders that I haven’t been able to manage with my existing technology and time limitations. This will take our existing technology, skilled workers, and design to a new level of both profitability and impact. This growth will be replicated over time by continuing to invest in technology, new apprentices, and expanding our in-house design offerings.

Thanks for supporting my work and spreading the word!

See More <https://www.facebook.com/andrew.dahlgren.philly>

Andrew Dahlgren – Chase Mission Main Street Grants <https://www.missionmainstreetgrants.com/b/19485>

Vote for Andrew Dahlgren at https://www.missionmainstreetgrants.com/b/19485

– Chase’s Mission Main Street Grants program for Small Business is in full swing! Apply or vote today! Learn more here: www.missionmainstreetgrants.com <http://www.missionmainstreetgrants.com/>

missionmainstreetgrants.com