We moved to a whole new continent for day 2’s middle distance event, crossing the Bosphorus and into Asia.  We are claiming a new record for DROC jackets – the furthest point east in Europe, and the furthest point west in Asia – simultaneously as we reached the half way point of the bridge (more on that in Pete’s post).

We couldn’t see any difference from European Istanbul except that things are a little more spaced apart.  The event started in a little school in a village called Omerli, across the road from a very upmarket gated community – the first time we’ve seen houses with gardens. The day was the warmest so far.  The finish chute was in a small field complete with disinterested grazing horse.

Terrain notes: “This area offers terrain easy to hard-to-cross. Difference of height at one slope can be up to 100m. Passability changes from good to poor and especially impenetrable in distant sections of the map. In some places there is thorny undergrowth. Mainly oak forest. Dangerous places: Asphalt road with minor traffic in the finish area. Steep slippery slopes, thorny bushes on the distant part of the map and branches remained after forest clearing.”

Oak forest undergrowth

Oak forest is not very different from beech forest and is still full of evil things waiting to pounce on you with every step.  The small tracks on the map are simply indicative of areas of forest where the vegetation is slightly less ferocious.  They are no use to navigate by.  There were some small areas of rock.  Towards the latter half the undergrowth did improve but it was still very slow going.  I did a “180”by following a gully north instead of south and misplacing myself by several hundred metres.  However all four of us finished our courses – Ilze had a 1pm start so it was very much to her credit that she persevered in the heat of the afternoon.

Turtles crossing – I know exactly how they feel

Ian stakes a claim for DROC

After a long bus ride in heavy city traffic, Ian and I headed to the Archaeological Museum after Pete and Ilze’s recommendation. It was wonderful, all those sarcophagi thousands of years old, pottery and other artefacts dug up from Troy, clay tablets with tiny cuneiform lettering, mosaics and marble columns.

Treasures of the Archaeological Museum

After an overnight sprinkle of rain, we set off up the hill again to catch our bus for day 3.  Ilze and I swear that someone turns a big handle overnight and steepens the gradient.

It was back to Belgrade Forest for another middle distance.  Reading the terrain notes did not instil confidence (Ray’s suggestion of praying for divine intervention at the mosque across the street may be taken up).

“This area offers runnable but hilly terrain with lots of various depressions, small streams and fallen trees. In some places thorny undergrowth may slow down your pace. This is basically a beech forest with some pine areas as well. Dangerous places: steep slopes and strong thorny bushes, small streams at the bottom of deep gullies and numbers of pits remaining after local treasure hunting.”

At least they admitted there was thorny undergrowth.  The clay underfoot at the assembly area, another picnic ground, was very tacky and we expected slippery conditions in the forest.  At least none of us had a late start.  Conditions were incredibly humid.

To my surprise, the going was much better today.  There were still sections of prickly ensnaring stuff, but also large sections without.  The tracks were a lot easier to see.  It was true middle distance course setting with more technical features than the previous day.  I had 20 controls in 3.6 km so had to keep my focus to make sure I didn’t miss one.  All the legs were very short.  I rattled through the first half dozen in good time and realised I was having fun!  I made it all the way to no 16 before brain fade kicked in and I went in off the wrong track bend.  Lots of fruitless circling later, I found it and completed the course.  Hooray – I was actually faster than 2 other people!  I beat a Swede!!  Dance of joy.  Of the 25 or so W50s, only one is Turkish.  Ten different countries are represented.  This really is an international event, but it’s not a championship, more like the equivalent of our Christmas 5 Days.  Pete and Ian moved up the placings a little too, and we all agreed the forest was nicer to run in today.

Running Woman Meets Kissing Man

No dramas on the bus ride back and we arrived back in time to spend the rest of the afternoon visiting mosques.  Across the road is the Sokollu Mehmet Pasha mosque which was built in 1571, predating the Blue Mosque by about 40 years.  It is quite small but beautiful, and with virtually no tourists we were able to have a proper look inside.  The man in charge (not sure of his title) pointed out stonework from Mecca, and rare calligraphy.  There was a tiny cemetery outside and the usual marble fountain in the courtyard.  The first call to prayer each morning serves as our alarm clock.

Our local mosque

By contrast, the Blue Mosque was packed with tour groups.  As we walked in and looked up at the ceiling I had one of those “OMG” moments.  It is truly amazing, you just can’t stop looking up.

Blue Mosque interior – awesome in the true sense of the word

A downpour of rain cut short our wanderings.  Pete is now making meatballs using potato chips instead of cornflour.  Interesting …