Tina – look at all the pomegranates !

Saturday, (probably 3^rd November but I’m not sure) and we are just  back from the 4^th day of orienteering in the Belgrad forest just outside Istanbul.

Amazingly I managed to complete the first three events, but today it was too hot, too steep, too prickly and I was too tired, and I didn’t finish. It’s been hot and humid which hasn’t helped at all.  By the first control point sweat is pouring off everyone, and continues until the finish when we collapsed into sweaty exhausted heaps.  The terrain on all days was steep, the undergrowth a horrible gruelling mix of very spiky blackberry like vines which twined around the feet and legs and tripped us up at every opportunity and beautiful beech and oak forest – heaven and hell all at one time.  We all have an envious assortment of bruises, scratches and infected prickles from these nasty vines (Deb’s earlier blog has my photo – no words required !!!).  We have awarded the Denise Pike Award to Debbie who outclassed everyone in the blood stakes on the first day.

Pete didn’t compete today as he had “Mustafa’s Revenge” – an attack of gastro probably due to the lunch he had yesterday.  He stayed behind at the apartment, close to the “amenities”.

We are bussed to the events each day in 48 seater touring coaches.  Very luxurious and interesting, as we watch the passing parade.  Today because Pete stayed home the seat next to me was empty, only to be occupied by a young orienteer who insisted on incessantly cracked the knuckles of each hand.  Fortunately he stopped and fell asleep  just as I was about to have harsh words with him!

Tomorrow is the sprint event at a local university, which is much more down my alley – street orienteering with buildings thrown in; looking forward to it.

A few observations about the Sultanamhet district, where we have our apartment.  The cat population is huge, with cats of all shapes and sizes wandering around the streets, snoozing away the day in sunny spots, and wandering around restaurants at night begging for food.  Most appear well fed.  There are no rats in this area due to the cats, but the pigeon population doesn’t seem to have been affected at all; after all they can fly and cats can’t –  they are far too well fed  to bother about chasing down a scant mouthful of feathers.  The street vendors are fun, and not a pest at all.  If you tell them “no” they go away.  Turkish food is not as nice as I thought it would be – Pete says that they have “westernized” it.  A pity, because we’d love to try the real cuisine.

More soon.  Love and hugs to Marissa, Ella and Luca from Nanna and Poppy xx