Sultankoy to Silivri – 29th August
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 the sandy beach, I noticed a line of equally spaced, upturned and identical small boats which had been placed close to the sea. The boats were not there yesterday evening and I wondered what their purpose was, perhaps used for fishing. There was a gentle climb out of the town which gave wonderful views out across the Sea of Marmara and the early morning sun created an almost monochrome panorama.
Being so close now to Istanbul I seem to be always in an urban environment, and I guess this is how it will be until I reach the city. I passed through the communities of Gumusyaka, and the ancient town of Marmara Ereğlisi with its Samian origins. I was walking along a secondary road that ran parallel to the main state road to Istanbul with numerous opportunities for coffee and refreshments. There were good sea views and interesting interludes and conversations with local people, as I passed through the communities of Balaban, and Semizkumlar.
After a short descent, I arrived in Silivri at 3.30 pm. The harbour is sheltered from the wind so I was able to enjoy the last lap along the promenade to the Silivri Park Hotel where I easily found a room.
Silivri is an ancient town with Thracian origins. Its sheltered harbour was the prize for many conflicts. It was a beautiful evening as I sipped my glass of Turkish tea watching the sunset over the harbour. The wind I had been fighting for most of the day had gone, adding to the peace and calm. I joined families beginning their evening promenade for a final stroll before returning to the hotel to sleep. The ‘bues’ I felt at the start of the day had gone and with just 70 kilometres left to reach Istanbul, the culmination of the third stage of my pilgrimage, I was looking forward to the next few days.
