Turkey

Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 26,26,23 degrees Aksehir History The first archaeological findings of Akşehir, which has always been an important settlement, trade and cultural center throughout history, date back to the Neolithic Period. Akşehir’s name was Thymbrion during the Etiler period. Over time, the importance of Akşehir, which remained under the rule of the Lydians, who dominated the Phrygian domination and later in Anatolia, increased even more. The “Road of the Kings” passed through Akşehir. Akşehir

Distance: 43.7 km – Elevation +280 m -260 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 25 degrees I knew I had a long day ahead of me so I skipped breakfast and was on my way at first light – 6.30 am. I had said my goodbyes last night to Haci and the other members of the staff who had looked after me so well during my stay in Akşehir. Haci said he would ask the restaurant staff

Distance: 30.9 km – Elevation +230 m -160 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 27 degrees I left at 7.00 this morning after a very good night’s sleep. I decided again to skip breakfast and as I made my way out of the Otel I was stopped by a member of the restaurant staff who thought I was trying to leave the Otel without paying, I tried to explain that I had paid last night but not

Distance: 45.7 km – Elevation +310 m -320 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 27 degrees I still have close to 60 kilometres left to walk to reach the centre of Konya so I knew I needed to find somewhere to stay on route. I use Google maps to find accommodation in Turkey and it showed an hotel around 15 kilometres ahead so I was expecting a short day. I had slept well and It felt warm

Distance: 17.6 km – Elevation +70 m -160 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 28 degrees I pulled back the curtains of my room this morning to let in the light of the early morning sun, forgetting that my room was on the 14th floor, and was stunned by the view. I took full advantage of the bathtub, such a rarity, and then enjoyed a late and leisurely breakfast. I left the hotel at 10.00 am for

Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 27 degrees A BRİEF HISTORY OF KONYA Like so many of the towns and cities I have passed through during this pilgrimage, Konya has been ruled by many dynasties and empires: the Hittite and Lycian in the 6th century B.C., Persian in the 4th century B.C., Alexander the Great and the Macedonians, followed by the Romans. It was a province of Byzantium from the time of Constantine until the 10th century when

Distance: 20.5 km – Elevation +80 m -80 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 27 degrees During my stay in Aksehir I had planned my route from Konya to Tasucu where I would catch a ferry to Cyprus. It was a distance of 275 kilometres and would take me 10 days. The route ran through the towns of Cumra and Karaman and through the Taurus Mountains via the Sertavul Pass, on to Mut and Silifke before the

Distance: 26.5 km – Elevation +100 m -90 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 24 degrees I was sorry to leave Konya, it is a beautiful and well-kept city. Its covered bazaar, like all Turkish bazaars, was busy and full of life. It had vibrant fish and fruit and vegetable markets. The local dish is “Etliekmek” like a very thin pizza with a minced meat topping. It is a more religiously conservative city than others I have

Distance: 33.1 km – Elevation +180 m -160 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 22 degrees It was a beautiful morning as I left my hotel at 7.00 am. The hotel, a comfortable tidy hotel, had cost just 50 TL (£7). I was in neeđ of breakfast but it was Sunday morning and every shop and cafe was closed. My route today was an almost deserted road running parallel to the new railway line. I had the

Distance: 34.3 km – Elevation +110 m -120 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 21 degrees I slept very well and after sharing breakfast with Osman, I bid my farewells and set off about 7.30 am. Osman offered to take me in his car to Karaman, but he understood well my need to walk and waved to me as he passed by in his car on his way back to his home in Mersin. I continue to