The Beaches

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Jane Gundogan

I grew up on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia. Swimming in the ocean and lying on the sand is imprinted on me so living in a country with coastlines along the Aegean and Mediterranean seas should make me spoilt for choice however in the Village we do not often make our way down to the beach despite the fact that we live no more than 10 minutes walk away. Why? Sadly the Village Beach is no Blue Lagoon at Oludeniz and, to be honest, I feel a little uncomfortable swimming down at the Village Beach. I would much rather hop on a dolmus and travel the 2 hours it would take to get to Kizkalesi or Susanoglu where lying on a sunbed in your bikini is not cause for mirth and gossip.

Right now Daughter and I are staying with friends at Collaroy Beach and I am loving being on the Northern Beaches again. This morning I wiggled my toes in the sand at Long Reef Beach as Daughter ran along the beach with my friend’s dog which I have named “Nugget”. The dog really is a big nugget. It might be the middle of winter but here in Sydney it is warm, the sun is shining and Sydney has put on her best dress for our visit.

Since arriving we have made a point of visiting as many of Sydney’s beautiful beaches as possible. Starting at Palm Beach and ending at Manly Beach the Northern Beaches of Sydney is definitely God’s Country.

Palm Beach

Do you watch Home and Away? I still remember the first episode when we met Pippa and Tom Fletcher along with all those kids who lived in picturesque Summer Bay. Daughter pointed out a few of the more obvious Summer Bay locations before we decided to enjoy the sunshine and hike up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse. It is an easy walk from the car park to the lighthouse and offers a great view from Sydney’s most northern point.

Whale Beach

I didn’t often go to Whale Beach as it was difficult to get to by public transport when I was young. When we walked across the sand of this small, protected beach there was not another soul to be found. The beach was all ours. If it wasn’t so damn windy it would have been a rather pleasant stop.

Dee Why Beach

Always my beach. As a kid I did swimming lessons (badly) at the pool, as a teenager I hung out with my friends down at Dee Why Headland, climbing over the rocks to find somewhere where we could sneak cigarettes (or a kiss) without being caught.

Manly Beach

Famous. Gorgeous. Once my home. One thing you have to admire about the locals at Manly is that even in the middle of winter, even when it is a mere 20 degrees, they are still out there swimming, surfing and generally enjoying the beauty that is Manly.

North Head

Spending time on the Northern Beaches of Sydney is not complete without a trip to North Head. Whether you are visiting from the darkest depths of hell or a Manly local the view is spectacular. Summer or winter this spot is the epitome of Sydney. To anyone visiting this beautiful country you need to get up to North Head pronto. Start your visit on a high note!

Living in Turkey is amazing. We are so lucky but waking up each morning and looking over Collaroy Beach is pretty damn good too.

Thunder Struck

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Jane Gundogan

A clap of thunder just tore through my quiet this morning followed by the irregular, staccato beat of a dozen heavy raindrops clattering on my rooftop. Moments later the clouds unleashed an assault of such ferocity that I ran to the balcony to witness what I thought would surely be the end of the world as we know it. Excessive rain. Major thunderstorm.

It’s raining. It’s pouring. It’s still warm though. I sat on my comfy day bed on my beautiful (and 10 weeks later finally completed) balcony and watch the storm pounding the village around me. I am glad to see the rain too but my reason is a little more selfish. I love the sound of rain. I love the smell of rain as it clears away the dust. I particularly love the smell of rain here as it lands on the mint crop across from my house. The scent of mint wafts up to the balcony and makes everything smell of toothpaste minty freshness.

I sit with my cup of tea and my Hurley Dog sleeping next to me and enjoy the sounds and smell. My Hurley Dog is dreaming I think because he growled in his sleep. Maybe he is having a nightmare about the rain. My love is his hate because when it rains it gets muddy – really, really muddy – and this means baths, lots of baths.

A morning routine

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Jane Gundogan

Breakfast is apparently the most important meal of the day. I used to skip breakfast a LOT when I lived in Sydney. Or it was a healthy breakfast of coke and cigarettes – yes really! Then I found out I was Type 2 Diabetic and I pulled my head in and actually learnt about eating healthy. I still have a lot to learn but a good breakfast and my early morning jog to the deniz is a good start.

Now living in the Village breakfast is the first of many delicious (and healthy) meals I eat every day. I love that everything is organic. I love that the bread is delicious and costs the equivalent of AUD$0.25 for a loaf. The eggs are huge and when cracked the yolk is so yellow, scrambling them is a sin! Cucumber, tomatoes,olives and my mother in law’s cheese (https://janeyinmersin.com/2013/10/) all washed down with a glass of cay to complete our Turkish banquet. Yesterday we made borek (lightly fried pastry with cheese) and if we make it to the market we also buy Turkish sausage (although I recently read an article in a Turkish newspaper where someone suggested that the sausage could possibly be made from horse meat. Eeek!).

Daughter and her cousins have already left for school by 7am so generally it is just us girls (and now, of course, The Turk) sitting in the sunshine enjoying this delicious banquet. Actually now that The Turk has arrived we also must have corba (soup) for breakfast. He loves his Spicy Red Lentil Soup (which I made last night) and he believes that a good breakfast is not complete without corba on the table. The Turk also suggested this morning that I learn to make Tripe Soup but THAT is never going to happen!

Now if only I could find some bacon . . .

Juicy

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Jane Gundogan

A friend on mine is a great artist and prior to leaving Australia I purchased one of her paintings to hang in my new home here in Mersin. Her painting is called “Juicy” and I do not think she will mind that I re-post it for my blog today. You might want to check out her amazing work –

http://www.celartworks.com/

Last weekend was the Mersin Narenciye Festivali (Citrus Festival) in Mersin. It seems that Mersin and its surrounding area is well known for its oranges, lemons, grapefruit, apples and any other type of fruit that you can think of. This is a very popular weekend here in Mersin and what a great way to promote both industry and tourism to the city and yes this really is a festival not some dodgy political meeting like the one I was dragged to a couple of weeks back.

The seafront was full of orange and yellow stalls, flags and balloons. There were exhibitions, fruit for the tasting, wares to purchase, music to dance to and even a parade. This Festival had it all including a warm autumn day. I saw on the internet that it is pouring rain in Sydney yet here we are in November enjoying gorgeous weather. Nice one.

The Turk has promised me that it will get cold and that I will be whinging “like a bitch” (his words) but right now I will enjoy myself while I can.