Kalkan Diaries

New slideshow

2011-07-02T02:33:00.000-07:00

Along with Lea Maarner my business colleague in Kalkan we can assist with talks, tours, conferences and weddings. Kalkan is ideal for photography courses and we can access stunning villas, locations, accomodation.

A slideshow by Smilebox

2011-06-29T05:24:00.000-07:00

This is the local watch mender. He can be seen regularly in Kalkan Market which is held every Thursday.

Villa Asfiya

2011-06-23T14:23:00.001-07:00

OK this is a post I messed up (it had horse portraits in it) guess I better stop writing now. Anyway, see www.kalkanholidays.info as I have reduced the prices on rentl of the villa for July. x

Duplex Apartment–get your holiday here!

2011-06-23T14:12:00.001-07:00

Windows Live Blog

I don’t really have much of a clue what I am doing with windows live writer but it seems pretty easy and fun so I will continue to post pics and ramble. If the link didn’t work go to www.kalkanholidays.info and book a free and easy holiday - rates reduced for Villa Asfiya during July 2011.

Kalkan Main Street

2011-06-23T13:21:00.001-07:00

I’m just fiddling with Windows Live writer and seeing what it can do.
I have also reduced the prices on our villa for the month of July. Instead of £950 per week it is now £900 per week.
www.kalkanholidays.info

Facebook...

2010-01-07T07:13:00.000-08:00

I think it would be a good idea if I created a group on Facebook to promote Kalkan.

Last two.

2009-11-24T12:38:00.000-08:00

Last few...

2009-11-24T04:30:00.000-08:00

and more...

2009-11-24T04:29:00.000-08:00

More...

2009-11-24T04:08:00.000-08:00

Almost there.....

2009-11-24T04:06:00.000-08:00

More...

2009-11-24T03:42:00.000-08:00

Another few

2009-11-24T03:40:00.000-08:00

Four more....

2009-11-24T03:35:00.000-08:00

Here are are some more...

2009-11-24T03:31:00.000-08:00

Hmmmm, it only seems to load up 4 at a time, or is it because my internet connection keeps dropping out?
Sometimes computers are no help at all.

Abby & Dans Album

2009-11-24T03:20:00.000-08:00

These are the album pages from Abby n Dans album. Hope you like them Abz!

Abz & Dan – 20th August 09

2009-10-04T14:44:00.000-07:00

Photography Course

2009-08-07T03:27:00.000-07:00

OK - the photography course is officially booked for the week commencing Monday 12th Octber. Your instructor will be Ben Lovejoy and we have a really informative week prepared for you.
Contact me for further details.

OK - no takers as yet. Anybody out there got any thoughts on the matter? Maybe you would prefer to be taken to wonderful locations that you wouldn't ordinarily find? I'd really appreciate your input.

May in Kalkan

2009-07-01T00:29:00.000-07:00

Below are excerpts from our visit from 13th May to 3rd June. They have been edited as some are too personal, others too involved about money and others because it may upset other people! From the 13th - 17th there isn't anything as I was doing my scribbles in a book, It's much easier straight onto the laptop. Re our mortgage it would have been sorted ages ago but a Turkish mortgage was far too expensive. Therefore in March of this year I decided to get a UK one, in joint names. It was proceeding well and the offer came through in April, then I thought a mortgage just in my name would be a good idea, except they wouldn't do it on the same terms so it was a case of reverting to plan 'A'. It's been a stressful time for all concerned and I would just like to thank Lea & Soner from www.kalkanhorizon.com for all their help.

Sunday 17th May
We went up to the market at Akbel, didn’t see mehmet. We were going to buy some stuff but the prices weren’t good, the markets don’t appear to be any cheaper than the shops. Drove down through Yesilkoy to price up sun beds etc, of course because it was Sunday everyone was shut or out and we didn’t get far. Stopped in the plastics shop on the way down the hill and got a pile of stuff, more plates, mugs, cutlery for the apartment etc. took some more stuff down from the Duplex. We had food in Extinct. He had some nice chairs there that he said he got in Fethiye 3 yrs ago from behind the fish market.

Monday 18th May
Still sorting a snag list out, it seems never ending. Drove to Fethiye to look for metal chairs and price up sun beds etc Parked up and had a good look around but we couldn’t find any. Got suckered into one shop and had to buy spices, they pointed us in the direction of a furniture shop but they didn’t have what we wanted. Had some food and moved slowly on to pick up Rose.
Rosie was on time. We all went to DoyDoy for a meal. Rose paid as a thank you. Thought that was really nice. It was a bank holiday today so we couldn’t check with the bank to see if the money had come through.

Tuesday 19th May
Went to the bank but the money hadn’t come through. I can’t really remember the nuts and bolts of the day but I know we spent some time in the Café Vita sorting out emails and bookings. Got another booking for the Duplex. Chased up Alistair re the mortgage.
Went to a party at Peter’s house with Lea, Soner etc. There were other people there

Wednesday 20th May
What a bloody day. Got the money into an account and paid it off the total amount. Still a long way to go yet with the mortgage though. Met rose and we priced up some marble tables and plastic sun beds at one of the shops. Rose was brilliant to have around as she got the prices, wrote the m down and was more organised than us two put together. We gave her a tour of the duplex and then priced stuff in the store next to the duplex and the one opposite. Bought two hairdryers and Rose bought us a clothes airier and two scissors for the apartment.
We had a look then at the iron shop at the top of the hill and priced up black metal tables and glass tops; it was 1100 for one to seat six, a small glass one for the apartment and ten chairs. We went to Kelebek then and in the shop next door got four sun beds, (55ytl ea) 4 cushions, (17.5ytl ea) two brollies (50 ytl ea) and a smaller table (60 ytl). Went next door in Kelebek and got a TV and a DVD for 375ytl. Both of these I have put on the credit card to cut down a bit on cash going out. Bought a card reader for the lap top but couldn’t get it to work.

Thursday 21st May
Rose and I left Steve at the house to deal with the workers. I was in a bad mood because of all that still has to be done before Monday then he made the mistake of saying to Rose that I was champing at the bit and then I was going to drive and Rose thought we were going to walk and I said well you can if you want (not meaning anything) but then when I turned the car around and offered her a lift and she got in she said ‘God you can be a moody cow!) And I apologised and straight away I was ok. Weird. Probably more to it but I can’t be arsed for now. We went to Leas office. Discussed Wedding stuff and bits and pieces but nothing that I can really remember as being that important. When it stopped raining we walked up to the market. I bought a 4 way socket thingy and nail clippers. Oh yes and two pretty wind chimes off Lea 15ytl each. I had changed the card reader that Steve bought for another one and managed to bend one of the pins in it so I had to buy another one 20ytl. Rose and I had a pancake in the market then a drink at a café on the way back. It was nice to have a good natter. Some of the workmen had been and both places now have gas in them. An army of workers appeared later along with a girly foreman and they did a lot of the things on the list, trouble is that although they plumbed the dishwasher in it leaked at the tap when turned on. As did taps in the twin room on the wall. Why don’t they test them as they fit them? We do have air con remotes now. Met Christina, Julie, Ness, Mike in the Doy Doy for a meal. Good night The sun beds and brollies have arrived look nice.

Friday 22nd May
Steve and I were hanging around waiting for workers again. Put curtains up on the shag pad with poles from the lounge. It looks really good. Rose had a taxi to Kas.
Can’t remember what else happened. Oh yes the table man turned up with the table and temp chairs / cushions – looks nice.
We went up to the trout farm had a lovely meal. I had Kalamari to start and then a trout. Rose and I a bit drunk. Steve drove and was more sober. Called into the Kaya for a nightcap. The owner there showed Rose some magic tricks and tried to read her fortune.

Saturday 23rd May
We drove to Thassos and had a look around as the workers weren’t due in till the afternoon. We saw some bits we hadn’t seen the last time, they were quite impressive. Took some pics. Had lunch in Kinick then went onto Patara beach ruins. We had just arrived when I had a call off Soner to say that the carpenters were waiting outside. I had asked him this morning to let me know before they arrived. Anyway they have put in the inserts on the side of the bed and it looks ok. We christened the master bedroom. Lea came around and had a natter. We ate up at Islamlar again in a place called Chops. Traditional lamb – about the best meal I’ve had here. I had a price off the owner Ismail for food. No drink included in that price. I think it would be brilliant to have a wedding there.

Sunday 24th May
Up early again did some washing. I don’t want to get up this early as a few hours later I’m really tired again. Seemed to be a lot of hanging around again. Eventually some workmen did appear and did a bit. Rose and I went up to Akbel Market and bought a few bits and bobs. I bought some kilims 3ytl and 15ytl. A trowel and fork (well Rose did actually) a few more trivets. Rose got some tomato paste for Dick, and pul biber.
We had a cuppa in the café and then called into the hamam up the road. They will do a 10% discount for anyone staying at the Villa or Apartment and also a special bridal package. We were late going out and ate at Akin. We went to bed about 11ish for a few hours and got up at 3am. Dropped Rose at the airport. Got back at 7ish and went back to bed for a few hours. Ebo delivered the ottoman bed for the shag pad. Measured up for some new curtains for the top bedroom, 100ytl. Then 10mins later decided it would be cheaper to get some sheers cut down and went back but he had already started work. The material was 15ytl a meter.

Monday 25th May
When we woke up we had to move down to the apartment and get the Villa ready. Long hard few hours. When Ali wife Hatija had finished I took some pics, but then we picked up the curtains and I hung those, then Steve and Ali got the other ottoman and tall unit down from the Duplex. I borrowed some bits and pieces from Lea and when it was all finished it looked lovely. I even went in the pool – bloody cold though. Later on Ali almost caught Steve and me up to no good! Went over the road to Café Vita and did some work while we waited for our guests, when they arrived we showed them around then went to Merkez. Met Caroline and Andy my bride for Thursday. Also met Kay Ruddy and her intended who are getting married next year.

Tues 26th May
Stevo took some very fetching pics of me in the pool! I’d had an email off Alistair to say the mortgage company will only offer me £XXk and I would have to cash in £XXk from the Transac account. Had that sick feeling. What sort of bloody mess have I got us into? Steve went to play football and I took pics. They aren’t the best as I didn’t know what I was doing, it’s more difficult than it looks. Had a snack at Merkez as the footy didn’t end until 11pm and then Steve had to shower.

Thursday 28th May
Up early and had my back scrunched. You know the expression ‘cry in pain?’ It’s true. I’m certainly looser though. Once he finished we popped to Leas office to print out the stuff Dick emailed. We only needed the two sheets and then in an email from Alistair he said that they had been proceeding anyway and there was no need to sign!? What’s all that about? If they were proceeding anyway and were going to do me a mortgage on my own does that mean there would have been two mortgages? At what stage would they have got their act together? Anyway, So we signed the docs anyway and then started to get ready for the Wedding. Met the boys at 1.30pm while they had a shave and took some pics. After the shave the boys all split up so we had an icecream. We all went over to Palm Beach on boats, very nice. As they only took 8 per trip and there were 40 of us it took a long time though. Took loads of pics. The ceremony didn’t start until gone 5pm. Caroline looked beautiful. They said some lovely words to each other and I must say I thought of Steve as they said them, I would love a copy of them. Now my idea of romantic would be just the two of you, a picnic, the dogs, the words and somewhere like Clytha hill. Ah well, dream on! Eventually we all caught boats back to the harbour and as I’d forgotten batteries for Steves camera he hightailed it back to the apartment and I waited for the bride n groom. Walked up to Gironda, they had a red carpet and flowers outside, all the guests lined up either side. Got some more nice pics of Caroline inside. Anyway the food was lovely, I took pics of the speeches, the first dance and then we left.
Very long day. Hard work. Had some brill pics, a lot of them off Stevo.

Saturday 30th May
Went to Patara. They are lovely ruins. Met a party of schoolkids and their teacher, said I would visit them at their school in Kinick in September, should have got a telephone number. Ate at Akdenis. It was nice. Saw the cushions I wanted for the shag pad, can’t get them though. We ate up at Chops again. Saw a RTA on the way up, a bloke had fallen off his motor bike.

Sunday 31st May
Went to Akbel Market, saw Mehmet. Got some spices and the other three Kilims. Looked for cushions for the shag pad. Ended up getting a Kilims stuffed and four cushions from the kilim man by moonlight. Cost 330tl. To pick up on the Monday. Handed the car back in.

Monday 1st June
Had a sort of business meeting with Lea. Re wedding prices etc. Had a jeep for the next 2 days. Went to Kas to get more bedding. Got 10 single sheets 130tl and 6 big sheets for 108tl. Picked up the kilims and cushions. They aren’t quite right but will do for now. Showed ~Andy and Caroline their Wedding pics. I thought she was crying all the way through but she had suntan cream and sweat in her eyes was all! They did like the pics though, gave me loads of useful information re the paperwork side of getting wed in Turkey. Had a lock fitted on the slidy doors of the salon, apartment.

Tuesday 2nd June
Tried to see iron chair man, got some more plastic bits. Took pics in the hills of chops. Then Sandals, then Aubergene. Then LaSera.
After food in Berzigan Kitchen we went into Sadats and got my bling cleaned, had a drink in Merkez but was too tired really.

Wednesday 3rd June
Did most of the packing and putting away, seemed a lot to do. Took the plastic chairs back to the Duplex; paid the beledere 47 or 48 tl. Still not sure what its for though, dropped off the jeep had an ice cream and walked back.
Saw Lea. Had lunch ordered sarnies. I got my numbers wrong again and we are at the airport two hours early, still it gave me time to catch up.

Summary – Not much of a holiday really. Went quickly. A lot of hanging around and arranging, I don’t feel we have accomplished much. We got on ok. Some good bits, some bad bits and some ok bits.

Next week...

2009-03-20T02:48:00.000-07:00

Well hopefully by this time next week we will have almost furnished the Villa & Studio. I've bought piles of bedding over here to take out with us as apparantly it's cheaper here. Bit of a potch to take out though. Anyway - look out for some new photos on the blog.
Wendy.

12th March Update

2009-03-12T03:26:00.000-07:00

I've revamped the website a bit, is it an improvement? Feel free to tell me!!
Not long now till we have our first visit of the year. Most of the time will be spent furnishing the Studio and Villa. Look out for updated photographs.

February update

2009-02-04T01:53:00.000-08:00

Well Steve is 50 in March and we were going to run away to London for a few days but having had a look at flight prices etc we can fly out on the 23rd March from Gatwick for £233, back on the 1st April with EasyJet for £61, driving up and parking will cost about £85, car hire in Turkey we have yet to sort out. So for an outlay of £380 we can have a week in Turkey and furnish the Villa and Apartment. We can take a pile of sheets out with us - the cheapest is from ASDA. They are cheaper to take out than to buy in the local market. We will buy towels locally though, oh and towels for you to use around the pool too.

January Update

2009-01-30T13:53:00.000-08:00

Yippee! After a bit of a false start with one bank we now have the Mortgage with another bank. All we need now is lots of holiday bookings off you nice folks to help cover the payments!
I would just like to reassure anyone who has seen pictures of the property minus kitchen / beds and air-con that it will all be ready for occupation by March - honest!
Of course I think I really ought to visit before then to assist in the furnishing etc!

December Update

2008-04-12T11:05:00.000-07:00

Well our last visit was in September, while out one day we decided to look - just look mind you, at some other properties. Soner took us around some really well built, fully furnished absolutely fabby places and our hearts almost overuled our heads. Anyway we did end up buying another place a lovely 3 bed villa with a studio apartment underneath. It has yet to be furnished and the kitchens fitted but I just can't wait to have a housewarming there. (Yes you are invited!)
We emptied all of the accounts, piggy banks etc in the UK for the deposit and have been approved for a mortgage with Fortis Bank. How will we pay for it - er hopefully it will be rented out all summer long!
Anyway, watch this blog for our progress!
Wendy & Stevo.
x

September 08 - pics

2008-04-12T11:03:00.000-07:00

June Pics

2008-04-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

Sept 07 Pics.

2008-04-12T11:01:00.000-07:00

Kalkan Diaries

2008-03-04T05:05:00.000-08:00

I've finally started it, been meaning to do so ever since we decided to buy 'somewhere in Turkey'. More of that later though, someone on enjoy kalkan forum wanted the pics so I thought I'd try them on here as both of my websites don't really fit the bill, one is for Weddings / Portraits etc and the other is for Horses.