Turkey

Distance: 30.5 km – Elevation +350 m -250 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 33 degrees The hotel last night on the outskirts of Ipsala was a bit iffy but it served its purpose and the food was good. Last night was the first time since leaving Rome that I had enjoyed a meal with another walker and also a good conversation in English. The French couple had taken a lift south from the border. Tom from

Distance: 28.7 km – Elevation +470 m -300 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 35 degrees A really good quality hotel last night in Kesan, 4 star quality for 25 euros including breakfast. I started around 7.30 am and the route took me into the working end of town. It was a hive of activity with numerous ponies and carts being used to ferry goods from one part of town to another. A young driver standing on

Distance: 37.0 km – Elevation +410 m -460 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 34 degrees I had a long day planned so I had set the alarm for an early start. There was no need to have done so because at 5.30 am the call to prayer from the nearby mosque was so loud it probably woke the whole town! The street lights were on as I made my way out of town as the friendly

Distance: 22.0 km – Elevation +230 m -400 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 31 degrees My bed last night was part of a super-efficient service area providing a 24 hour restaurant to passing motorists and coaches, so no shortage of food and drinks. The room itself was way at the back away from the hustle and bustle and very quiet so I enjoyed a good night’s sleep. I was in no rush to get away this

Distance: 30.5 km – Elevation +270 m -260 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 31 degrees I didn’t have much time to explore but from what I had read there is not much of its rich history left to see. Tekirdag is an ancient town and was founded by the Greeks as Bisanthe. Under Roman rule, it became the capital of Thrace and was renamed Rhaedestus. Like most ancient towns in this part of the world, it

Distance: 17.5 km – Elevation +90 m -100 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 30 degrees I left after breakfast around 8.30, Sometimes when walking and alone I sing, songs which seem to fit the mood or moment, and today as I walked with no set target or destination in mind the lyrics of the Chuck Berry song “ No particular place to go” came to mind and I started singing: “No particular place to go So

Distance: 25.3 km – Elevation +210 m -210 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 29 degrees Today was one of those rare days where I really did not want to walk. It was a difficult walking day with both my legs and pack feeling heavy throughout the day and I was fighting a strong headwind for most of the walk to Silivri.  The hotel provided a good breakfast and when I reluctantly commenced walking, at first along

Distance: 30.9 km – Elevation +300 m -310 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 29 degrees The hotel was very clean and comfortable and the staff were very friendly. Breakfast this morning was on the 8th-floor roof terrace providing magnificent views of the harbour and beyond. It was a beautiful morning as I watched the town dogs playing in the sea below.  I had slept well and was feeling good as I climbed out of the town,

Distance: 26.2 km – Elevation +330 m -330 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 28 degrees Today was about the beginning and the end. I began with a gentle walk through the back streets of this large town. Unexpectedly coming across a bust of William Shakespeare residing with other celebrity busts including Charlie Chaplin, in a walkway through the grounds of the Buyukcekmece Ataturk Cultural Center. At this point the road began an almost vertical climb with

Distance: 16.9 km – Elevation +140 m -140 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 29 degrees It was Sunday morning as I left the hotel before breakfast and made my way through the quiet back streets of Yesilkoy. I was the first customer of the morning in a cafe that was just opening as I arrived and I was joined by the cafe cat as I sat and ate a tasty croissant. I followed tree-lined avenues which