WE ARE HOME

Ben was at the airport at 2.00am on our Saturday arrival and airport staff was anxious to get us through quickly and get home themselves. The following days were tiring - how much was jetlag and how much the effect of the excruciatingly uncomfortable Emirates seats? It was great to catch up with the family over Sunday lunch and to be entertained by those speedily growing boys, Toby and Hamish. They were presented with their presents from Chris and Stu, first cutlery sets made in Sheffield, along with Istanbul T-shirts (size 1 should fit by summer).

Reflecting on Greece and Turkey will take time. We'll first have to sort out which ruin was which (a bit like which cathedral is which, if you've holidayed in Europe).

It was great to catch up with Chris and Stu and we intend to start "skyping" as soon as we find an Apple compatible webcam. Initial plans have been discussed for another reunion next year in Berlin. It is wonderful to seal up a gap of 37 or so years in a friendship and continue as though we had never parted.

THANK YOU

Thanks, Ben, for sending those email addresses. We had a farewell breakfast with Chris and Stu this morning, then Andy, Christine and I headed down to the European part of Istanbul and had a great time - it's a public holiday here, so a party mood prevailed.

We look forward to seeing everyone soon (hope there are plenty of dog biscuits left for Toby for his Sunday lunch!)

Much love to all.

We can't download photos on this computer - sorry about that.

WHERE IS VANESSA OR FLICK?

Andy is having trouble getting through to Flick via email.

BEN, WOULD YOU PLEASE CHECK VANESSA'S AND/OR FLICK'S EMAIL ADDRESSES AND LET US KNOW ASAP. THANKS

BACK IN ISTANBUL

We've covered 3,200 kms of wonderful Turkey (not counting air kms in the balloon in Cappadocia, as the weather changed to our advantage). Returning to the Conrad in Istanbul is like returning home (Shoreham being our usual 5 star venue). The tour is now officially over, after a farewell dinner tonight. Andy leaves Friday morning and we are picked up from the hotel at 4.00pm on Thursday. That gives us ample time to live it up before normality returns.

WE STILL EXIST

Sorry about the gap ın communıcatıon, but we have had very full days of travellıng, sıght-seeıng and collapsıng ın a heap wıth lıttle or no access to computers (even ın 5 star hotels!) We are now ın Cappadocıa and hope to see ıt from a balloon tomorrow mornıng, although wıth today's wınd and dust storms, ıt may not happen.

Hıghlıght of the last few days for John: swımmıng ın the freakıshly blue Medıterranean ın a small cove from a boat.

Hıghlıghts for Chrıstıne: Hard to thınk after a very hot and dusty day today! (We have really been caught unprepared for the hot weather - has been ın the mıd thırtıes for most of the week and the wınd today was real bushfıre wınd!)

But back to what we have been doıng..... I found both a pottery demonstratıon we saw yesterday fascınatıng as was the carpet weavıng demonstratıon thıs mornıng. However I left both the $60 A hand paınted mugs and the $4000 carpets behınd, as gorgeous as they were. Perhaps ıf I was to hıghlıght one thıng ıt would be a 12th C gold thurıble I saw ın the museum ın Antalya. It was ın amazıng condıtıon - looked lıke you could use ıt today - and around ıt were scenes from the lıfe of Jesus startıng wıth the Annuncıatıon and endıng wıth the Resurrectıon. Every fıgure was as clear as ıf ıt was new. Amazıng!

Flıck - a very happy bırthday from us all here - we have been thınkıng of you.

Hope all goes well wıth you all. To thınk we wıll be home thıs tıme next week!

MORE TURKISH NEWS

We are now ensconced in a magnificent hotel right on the Aegean. The waves are literally coming under the deck in which the pool is set. Such hard work to sit here on a free afternoon and enjoy the view!

However I get ahead of myself .... We spent several hours on Saturday at the the area of the Gallipoli conflict - an experience that I was not sure about in advance. The crowds were enormous - interestingly many buses of Turks for whom this is the site of victory for the "father" of their modern nation - "Ataturk"

I was moved by some of the things we saw - it was wonderful to see the "Lone Pine" given our plan to plant one of its progeny at Balnarring and the graves were beautifully cared for - especially those at Anzac Cove. However I must say I was grateful that I was not there on Anzac Day.

Today we spent an extraordinary time at the ancient site of Ephesus. It is vast - what amazing work archeologists have done over the past century. A highlight was the amazing reconstruction of the library . Librarian brother Andrew was interested to know that the library had a hidden passage running to the brothel!!!

WE CAN'T GET AWAY FROM ZOE

We see Zoe, Empress of Byzantium, in company with Jesus at St Sophia in Istanbul. How about that!

AN UNHOLY TRINITY IN ST SOPHIA

AT TOPKAPI PALACE IN ISTANBUL

Christine x 2 plus Stu, relaxing in the shade

TYPICAL BEER DRINKER IN ISTANBUL

With tax on wine at 400%, I've been drinking more beer than usual

IN THE LAP OF LUXURY

We're now half way down the west coast of Turkey in the Charisma Hotel, which really lives up to its name. Our suite (separate bedroom and sitting room) overlooks the lavish pool and the Aegean is just past that. We'll retire for the night with the sound of the waves rocking us to sleep.

Everything is going so well. Istanbul was great and the reunion with Chris and Stu (and Andy) a real treat. The tour is a big group, but that hasn't hampered our enjoyment.

Well post pictures tomorrow.

Much love to all.

NEARLY SABOTAGED, BUT NOW IN TURKEY

We left our hotel in Athens with the city in chaos with a new set of demonstrations (only one block away). The taxi could barely move, so the driver took us to the station via a dizzy mix of narrow streets and near scrapes. What a drive! The train to Thessaloniki was very comfortable. THEN HORROR STRUCK! The train to Istanbul was cancelled - no more until Thursday. Luckily there was a Turkish-operated bus scheduled for a 10.00pm departure (three hours later) and we managed to find the depot (if you could call it that). Turned out to be a quite luxurious bus - movies for each seat, drinks etc. Withe the refund from the train, we weren't out of pocket, either. We phoned our tour's emergency number to arrange transport to the hotel - and here we are at the Conrad - very grand - 5 star - and Istanbul looks fabulous. Andy will be arriving later this afternoon.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

BELATED BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO BOTH ZOE AND WILL. WE HOPE YOU HAD GREAT CELEBRATIONS. MUCH LOVE TO YOU BOTH.

ON THE WAY TO TURKEY

Here we are in the Olive Garden, the rooftop bar of our hotel with the picture postcard view of the Acropolis. We are now about to board the train to Istanbul, where we arrive early tomorrow morning. Christine will continue with news of our exploits:

Athens has been a noisy, chaotic yet vibrant city to visit. The mood has changed from dramatic - street marches that turned violent although not when we saw them go by. A couple of our friends were mildly affected by the dregs of tear gas clean up and a media van was set on fire in a square just down from our hotel.

Yet we have also found everyone helpful and pleasant and the weather has been just superb for walking, climbing many, many steps and stopping for the occasional "cappucino freddo" - the last rather like very strong iced coffee with froth on the top. This is definitely the drink of the moment!

Hope you are all well, happy and not working too hard. Thought of many of you in your respective parishes last Sunday. Hope "Gathering with God" went well at Rye. We went to the local Anglican church here - very C.of E.!!

Message for Ben - can you check our Mastercard balance before you go off to Perth. We cannot access the balance at the moment. Thanks !!

HEALTHY AND HAPPY IN ATHENS

Sorry we haven't been in touch for a while, but our hotel has an exorbitant charge for internet access. We tried to find an internet cafe, but they are a rarity in downtown Athens. We've ended up using the hotel internet, anyhow.

We arrived in Athens, having completed 2,500 km of bus travel. It has been well paced, so we don't feel all that exhausted. The final "rural" set of ruins was in Corinth and was quite spectacular. Our visit to the Acropolis yesterday had us in the company of thousands of others. It would be vile in the summer months. The highlight was a visit to the new Acropolis Museum, a stunning new building built over the excavations of a town at the bottom of the Acropolis hill - lots of glass flooring suspends you over the site. It's a stunning and imaginative achievement.

Must race now and prepare to see what happens with the demonstrations outside.

We probably won't contact you again until Istanbul (unless we find an internet cafe in Athens).

Much love to all.

OUR LIFE IN RUINS

We continue on our way through the ruins of ancient Greece (nothing to do with the current financial situation), with wonderful weather, company and continued excellent commentary from our guide Irini. We found Olympia more interesting than we expected - there is a vast complex of ruins (temples, training complexes etc) besides the famous stadium/arena (which I power-walked on behalf of the Barren Boys). On Tuesday we adjourned to Sparta to explore the nearby ruins and restorations of monastories at Mystras - spectacularly placed on very steep hills (see our red faces above), then crossed the mountains to Tollos, a small resort town on the Aegean. Today has been spent in 13th century BC Mycenaen ruins and the huge ampitheatre at Epidaurus (perfect acoustics - tested to perfection by our friend Trish Ball, who was an opera singer). Tomorrow we head off to Athens via Corinth. May Day should be interesting in Athens, with the planned protests - we'll not poke our noses into them.

GET DUCKED

Thanks for sending us your comments from home (and England - thanks, Chris and Stu) - it's great to feel in touch. Zoe commented that Toby's latest favourite is duck liver pate. Here's a pic for him of where it commences. This is a floating hotel for ducks in the estuary of the village where we had Sunday lunch!

EUREKA - A PHOTO!

I have NO IDEA how I did this, but here we are at Philippi at the spot where Paul baptised Lydia, the first Christian in Europe. I hope I can fluke more photos as we proceed on our travels.

SOUTH TO OLYMPIA

Greetings again. We're in Olympia, having travelled quite a distance from Meteora and the "hanging" monasteries. It was most atmospheric to travel through the clouds to the two monasteries we visited, with snow-capped mountains in the background. Again, I have tried to place a photo on the blog, get so far with the process, then no further. I won't bother again!

Today we spent a wonderful morning in Delphi (after a night in another posh hotel). Our tour guide, Irini, is great - intelligent, witty, concise - she made our museum visit a fascinating experience. We then toured the ruins (which we were last at 38 years ago, but have faded significantly in our memory) - in these dramatic mountains, you can imagine Apollo nearby.

We then headed off down the coast of the Aegean, stopping for lunch in a charming village, where fresh fish and grilled octupus for lunch was mandatory (with a little local white wine - the reds are more dependable here, though). Afternoon tea was at a roadside bakery. The bus tyres were sorely tested when we all re-entered the bus. Must race off to our hotel pool now - it looks most enticing.

TRAVELLING IN THE NORTH

No photos again - the instructions were all in Greek!!

Today has been another fascinating day . We spent the day at a place called Vegina. There are the most extraordinary underground tombs - date back to about 350 BCE and yet were only finally discovered in 1977. The major tomb is that of Philip II of Macedonia who's greatest claim to fame is that he was Alexander the Great's father.

The gold artifacts were just unbelievably beautiful.

We are now at a place called Kalambaka that is jumpin off place for the "Hanging Monasteries of Meteora" We go there tomorrow. Hopefully some photos of this!

Let us k now what's happening - speak soon. C and J

WE'RE ALREADY IN ST PAUL'S FOOTSTEPS

The flight defied world trends in volcanic dust hazards - we arrived safely in Thessoloniki after the initial 17 hour trial of Melbourne-Dubai (with only 100 people on the plane - Tullamarine airport was almost deserted - quite weird). 4 hours in Dubai airport was like pergatory - trapped eternally in a mega shopping complex hell - then the rest was easy. Having arrived at our hotel in the late afternoon, we had a great meal (after all, you can't beat Greek food), then collpased into bed. We had to be ready for an 8.00pm start, travelling three hours east to Philippi, where St Paul first set foot in Europe. We explored some amazing ruins of basilicas and forums, and visited the site where Paul baptised Lydia, the first European Christian.

We're just enjoyed a duty-free Chivas Regal before tapping out this blog and preparing for dinner. I was going to add a photo, but the hotel's computer told me I didn't have sufficient security approval to do so. Apologies!

VOLCANIC IMPEDIMENTS

The volcano in far-off Iceland may be affecting the flying public, but we labour in hope of catching our plane on Monday evening (just two days to go). Emirates flew into Athens today, so we hope that trend continues.

HAMISH WOULD LOVE TO JOIN THE TOUR

Hamish loves the water and would love to join John John and Neen on their tour, particularly in a suitably heated pool.

TOUR ITINERARY

MONDAY 19 APRIL
Depart on evening Emirates flight to Athens
TUESDAY 20 APRIL
Arrive Thessaloniki
WEDNESDAY 21 APRIL
Thessaloniki/Philippi/Kavala
THURSDAY 22 APRIL
Thessaloniki
FRIDAY 23 APRIL
Veria/Vergina/Kalambaka
SATURDAY 24 APRIL
Meteora/Delphi
SUNDAY 25 APRIL
Delphi/Olympia
MONDAY 26 APRIL
Olympia/Sparta
TUESDAY 27 APRIL
Sparta/Mystras/Tolo
WEDNESDAY 28 APRIL
Tolo/Epidauras/Mycenae
THURSDAY 29 APRIL
Corinth/Athens
FRIDAY 30 APRIL - TUESDAY 4 MAY
Athens and perhaps the odd island
WEDNESDAY 5 MAY - FRIDAY 7 MAY
Arrive Istanbul by train, meet up with Andy Hooper and the Marstons from England
SATURDAY 8 MAY
Gallipoli/Dardanelles/Canakkale
SUNDAY 9 MAY
Troy/Pergamum/Kusadasi
MONDAY 10 MAY
Ephesus
TUESDAY 11 MAY
Pamukkale
WEDNESDAY 12 MAY
Perge/Antalya
THURSDAY 13 MAY
Antalya
FRIDAY 14 MAY
Aspendos/Konya
SATURDAY 15 MAY
Cappadocia
SUNDAY 16 MAY
Cappacodia (with early morning balloon flight)
MONDAY 17 MAY
Ankara
TUESDAY 18 MAY - THURSDAY 20 MAY
Istanbul
FRIDAY 21 MAY
1200 entertainment options on Emirates flight (if you can work the remote)
SATURDAY 22 MAY
Arrive 1.00am - yuk!

2010 AND OFF TO GREECE AND TURKEY

2009 was a special year for acquiring our first two grandchildren, Toby and Hamish . Now that they are firmly established, controlling their parents and dazzling their grandparents, we can head off to Greece and Turkey. The group of 25 going to Greece is basically the same as went to Italy in 2007, guided by the wonderful Rev Scott Holmes. Five of us go on to Istanbul to meet up with Andy, Christine's younger brother and Chris and Stu Marston, who were our neighbours in our bedsit in Sunningfields Road, Hendon in London and whom we haven't seen since 1973. What a joyous reunion as we retrace the steps of St Paul (in slightly more luxurious accommodation than his caves and nights under the stars).