Nothing is Easy in the UK

We have been in the UK now for 10 days and things are going very well considering. People are very friendly and helpful. Kings is great but I have only had a teachers only day so far.

However, anything you try to do is a massive hassle. We are yet to get our phone, internet and TV working. It would be unfair to call BT (Brittish Telecom) a dinosaur as that would assume it moves. It took them a week to flick a switch. Then it didn't work, so having rung them they informed me there was a fault, "well done". They are going to take up to 2 weeks to send an engineer to fix it. Can they have a contact number please, "yeah right".

The call centre is in India. I have rung them about 6 times. A couple of them were pointless as they did not do as they told me they would. You keep getting answers like "we are so sorry for your inconvience", "I understand your frustration" and a number of other apologies. Having rung them so many times it becomes very apparent that they are trained to give certain well learnt lines. In my last effort I asked for complaints. I must have asked 5 times but each time got one of their learnt lines. I gave up and asked for there internet wi-fi department. Again I was given the lines but kept repeating my request to each reply. Eventually he relented and I was transferred through and spoke to a Scotsman. What a difference. I was given a reinbursement to the wifi I had been purchasing and informed how I could use internet remotely.

We have tried to enrole our kids into various schools. We were informed by people to turn up on the teachers only day. A week later Sue turned up to be told that she needed to call the council who deal with all enrolments in Flintshire the area we live in. We rang them to be told they were too busy and it would take time; they had nothing to do the previous week. To make things worse most schools are full for Julia's age. I hate to imagine which school they are going to suggest and how far away they are. We have a temporary solution at a school 4 miles away.

The principles are very friendly though and we are going to contact 3 of them once they have seen if any of their year 3s have not turned up. If they have space in a room it does not necessarily mean they can take extra kids as there overall cap may be reached. Apparently all the new enrolments happened in December.

On  a brighter note we went for a very nice drive out in the Wirral and found a Tram Museum in Birkenhead. The kids got a ride on a 1920's doubledecker tram. They sat in the front section which was open air. We also got great views of Liverpool over the water.

First Days in Hawarden

We have certainly had some excitement since arriving. We had no hot water having arrived at our new house so I tried to turn on the gas. There was an immediate gas smell throughout the house so I turned it off. It was an opportunity to meet the neighbour who came over and helped out. It was better but still a strong smell but at least now the hot water was working. We left all our windows open.

The next morning while I was away meeting my new HOD all the drama unfolded. A gas checker had been called in and announced our house at critical levels and at risk of exploding. He turned it all off and warned all the other neighbours. Another opportunity to meet the other neighbours, kind of. Sue frantically rang the Realty company and two hours later they had someone come through who fixed it all.  

A little less exciting, I have been for two rides and met a number of cyclists. The hills are quite steep and I am well out of shape. Scott I think you would take me apart. Ironically one of the guys was talking about his school 'Kings'. I asked him if he knew Stephen Parry and he had had him as a teacher.

We had a great time at the Mold Baptist church. People throughout the area are very friendly. I must have asked 10 people for directions on my bike so far and they can't do enough for you. The area is a collection of villages with intertwining roads and a connecting motorway. It is very green everywhere you go. It is so unlike our previous stay in Manchester, it feels like a completely different county, which of course it is.

We also spent a nice afternoon walking through the Wepre Wood and exploring the remains of the Ewloe Castle.

In the UK

The journey from Istanbul to Chester was OK but full of minor hassles. Our Apartment provided us with a minivan and dropped us off at the airport in good time. We had had such a good time with Turkish Airlines the first time that I think our expectations were to high. Well anything other that rock bottom was to high.

 It started with the ticket lady. Just not interested. I asked about seats (as we have kids) and she said briskly "later", only for two minutes later to be given our tickets without questions. I asked if we could get seats 2 and 3 and she said, not possible. We were the first at the counter for this flight. Anyway then we had a hassle with the weight of one of bags. Its amazing how a simple thanks and good morning can make an experience nicer. Next I had to get the bike paid for separately at another desk. As I was leaving a ten year old was in the way of the bike box. I asked her to move and little, and then again. She said something to me which I didn't pick up and looked at her mother only to get "well you are taking up so much space". A small altercation occurred. 

At the over size counter I was informed that I was in the wrong place and moved to the right counter. When as I got the front of the queue I had not taken a number slip at the start and went back to get one and re-queue. This went better and I paid my money and went back to the ticket counter. Unfortunately I go the same woman who seemed in a slightly better mood this time. She slapped on a sticker and sent me to the over size trolley. A bit of a walk and when there, couldn't find it. Someone helped us and we were of to the immigration counter. From here it went much better. The Turkish staff just need to learn to smile or something. It makes all the difference.

Once on the plane we sat down and put our bags up. Ironically we needed to be moved because we had been seated next to an exit and kids can't sit there. We were moved but were no longer sitting next to each other. The cabin crew didn't seem that concerned  but a very nice elderly muslin man offered to move with us.

Our flight went well and was relatively short, 4 hours. We landed in Manchester at 3pm and if we could get to Chester by 5.15pm we would be able to get into our new house. Otherwise we would not get in until Tuesday and have to stay in pokey Travel Lodge.

Once off the plane we rushed to the immigration line. There was no more rushing required. The line for UK/EU residents had at least 500 people in it. No exaggeration, with three immigration counters dealing with it. After 20 minutes we saw an e-passport line, much shorter, for those with a passport with a chip. We asked a wandering assistant if we could use it. He advised us we were in the wrong queue as even though our children had a right of abode stamp in their passport they had to go in the non-EU queue. Off we trudged. The queue was much shorter maybe 50 people but there were only 2 attendants and they were much slower. It was heading on to 4pm and the queue was half way through. It is a 50 minute drive to Harwarden where the Realtors were. 

 It pays when travelling to asks other travellers for help rather than airline/airport staff. Sue went to action and asked the people at the front of the queue if we could queue jump given our situation. They were happy (nice Spanish couple) and off we went until we reached the baggage collection. Because all the UK residence were still queuing their bags were going around and around so new bags could not be added. We got three of our five and waited. Two airport staff were pushing the bags together to create space, more bags added. After about 5 minutes we grabbed out 4th and a couple of minutes later we had our lot. 

4.10pm and maybe we can still make it. We went off running, we took the "nothing to declare" passage way only to realise it was very narrow. At one point there was a no return sliding door to go through. I had to take the bike box off push it through and return for the trolley. The two sets of doors didn't seem to appreciate this and wouldn't work afterwards. Sue took the other set of doors. 

Out in Arrivals we searched frantically for the sign "Henry Kersten" for our prearranged van. No sign of him. Sue was going to find his cell number and ask someone if she could borrow their phone. On my third search I found the driver outside a book shop holding up the sign stomach high. OK fine and we rushed off to his van. It was about 4.30pm when we left the airport and drove with vigor. We took the motorway and twice had to slow down for traffic congestion but luckily only for a couple of minutes. 
We were so relieved to reach the Realtors at 5.15pm. They were still there and we just needed to sign a couple of forms. 

Stephen Parry's parents met us here and gave us a great welcome. They even brought us some really nice food and drink for the next couple of days. We are going to meet them tomorrow so they can show us around some of the local sights.

So here we are in Harwarden in a great new house, surprisingly large back yard ready to take on our next adventure.

Back to Istanbul

Often people think the highlights or adventure are at the amazing sights that you go and see but I have come to realise that for me the best experiences often occur during the travel.

Today we had to drive our rental from Selcuk to Bursa by 12.30pm. So we left early at 6.20am to ensure the 400km trip was possible. Both Sue and I got a bad sleep. Sue because Holly had slept for hours in the afternoon and woke at midnight and I was concerned that I might not wake on time. I had set an online alarm clock but would the computer go into hibernation? I also had Sophia kicking me in the back periodically, must be in training for the English Autumn.

All went well however, and the road was good. No faulty lights and we enjoyed a McD's brunch on the way. 

It can become disconcerting when cars use the double lanes to make corners easier and I avoided buses altogether when corners were approaching. The massive city of Bursa was rather exhilarating. Traffic moves indiscriminately and the rules regarding roundabouts, well there aren't any. Don't hit others and get through as quickly as possible. 

I had had a small incident unmentioned till now when I had been leaving Bursa 4 days ago. We had hired the car 5 minutes earlier and Sue said to me "Look the GPS says it is going to shut down because of the batteries". I glanced down and then back up again to find a car parked in my lane. I slammed on the brakes (which didn't have ABS) and slid just touching the rare right of the car. I parked up and checked the side. A black mark and a very slight dent. The other driver arrived on the scene, said nothing was wrong and hooned off. But the good news to the story was that the rental agent never noticed it. He was still concerned about the disagreement over the empty to empty petrol policy and offered to drop us off at the bus depot. That was all good and my faith in the honesty of Turkish people was restored.

We quickly found a bus mostly full and piled on uncomfortably with all our bags. The driver was leaving as we dragged them on board. One of the passengers obviously noticed our discomfort and grabbed Julia onto her lap.

By the time we got to the ferry we were quite early. We settled into a park and had some food. It was really hot and I almost fell asleep under a tree.

It wasn't long before we were boarding the ferry and rushing towards Istanbul. We arrived there at 5.30pm with the hope of getting a ride from someone from our apartments. There was no one there so after ten minutes we tried to get a taxi. As we were only going a few kms they weren't keen. Luckily one which had just arrived took us and I gave him a sizeable tip as thanks. 

It was 6.30pm by the time we settled back into our apartment. They have moved us into a smaller place but it is cooler. OK the toilet continually runs and never fills and the shower tap is broken and works like a very low bath. They did put the hot water on for us and the TV works. 

A Railway Museum, Greek Village and a Mediterranean Beach

I think we could easily spend a week here. There is so much to see. This morning we started by visiting a Railway Museum. Its hardly advertised and no one else seemed to know about it. It was one of those notes in the Lonely Planet and we thought it might be interesting for the kids. Man were we wrong, it was awesome for the kids.

We had problems finding it as it was off the main road and not sign posted. It had 30 locomotives in total, the oldest dating from 1887.

We next went to the Greek Mountain Village of Sirince arriving at about 1pm. In the 15th century a group of freed Greek slaves made their home here. It was so beautiful that they called it village Cirkince (Ugliness), to deter others from visiting, but later in 1926 the Governor renamed it Sirince (pleasantness). It lives up to it reputation, as it was very pretty. We parked in the large 100 car park, near the entrance. The streets we really quaint and narrow. After an hour the car park had filled up and visitors were trying to drive through the streets in search of parks. Talk about stressful.

Holly took a fancy to a dress and the woman took a fancy to Holly. It looked very nice on her and we got a good price. As we were leaving by 3pm cars were still pouring in with no where to park. All the way down the mountain we past traffic. It pays to get there early.

We ended the day by going to a local's beach. It was very nice but shallow to about 200m out. Perfect for the girls and very warm. Our thoughts are starting to turn to the UK now and our battle to take ownership of a rental when we arrive. News later.

Selcuk Town

There's more ancient sights around here than sneezes on a winters day. We headed the two kms into Selcuk but diverted towards Ephesus. It was our latest start by hours, 1pm. I had been for a run up towards Ephesus. I took a mountain trail after being assured that there are snakes, but they are safe, OK. The kids rested up and enjoyed the pool.

First we stopped at the Grotto of the Seven Sleepers. It is basically an  underground massive tomb sight where legend has it seven persecuted Christians fled to, from Ephesus in the 3rd century AD, only for soldiers to seal the cave system. Two centuries later an earthquake opened the wall and they awoke from their sleep. Anyway it as a great site and easy to get at.

Next we went to town for lunch. We found a real nice place where the host had spent some time working in Gallipoli. Our view included a massive ancient viaduct crossing the town. 

St. Johns Basilica where it is believed the Apostle John wrote the Gospel and is buried, is fantastic. Can anyone verify or rubbish this. The remains are fascinating. Built 1600 years ago. It puts the grandeur of Aya Sophia in perspective tho, as it was built at the same time.

At the rear of St. Johns you get a great view of the Citadel on the Ayasuluk Hill.  It is currently not open as it is being restored. That didn't stop us from driving as near as we could get for a better look.

Also from the St Johns we looked down to one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World (well at least it was) the Temple of Artemis. Its for the fertility God so we moved on quickly.







Unfortunately now the photo below shows what is left.

It had been a great day and we went back to the Getaway for a quiet swim (I wish), and a relaxing beer.

Ephesus (Efes)

It was late afternoon 5.30pm by the time we arrived here so it had cooled down nicely and most of the crowds had departed. The bus groups are the worst as they trundle along following a numbered and coloured board held aloft by a cheerful descriptive individual. You can't get past the masses and end up listening to a foreign language while trying to read a board. 

Ephesus has to been seen to be believed. From the photos I had though there were only a couple of major buildings but there is a city still there. The Great Theatre was probably my favourite part as I was able to go up and down the seating and get on stage and try out the acoustics. 

There are about three major roads still very usable and create an amazing ambiance as we strolled up from the south entrance up to the higher north entrance. This photo is of Curetes Way looking down towards the Library of Celsus. 

The kids started waning about halfway through our 2.5hour tour of the place. They had spent 6 hours at the water park and were really tired. I think they would have been much worse in the morning tho as the heat and lack of shade would have been a killer. It was important to take a toilet stop ancient style.

We found the higher and smaller Odium where the city leaders met and musical performances were given. This was a chance for the girls to show their talents. Sue did a great speech but got shy in front of the camera.

On our return to the car we stopped to have a good look at the  library of Celsus. It is obvious to see they took learning very serious. It is the best preserved building at Ephesus. It is amazing to think that a number of years ago most of this was just rubble. They have spent the last couple of decades putting it all back together. 

It wasn't pretty by the time the kids got home today. Still they have had a good nights sleep and bounced back well.

Below is Harbour St where the water used to meet it only 500m down. The bay has silted up and the water retreated, which is why the city was abandoned eventually.