We have four more definite destinations we want to see in Turkey, so plan a route accordingly. Before setting off, Richard give Fay a quick check over, apart from her chipped windscreen, she has picked up some nylon rope which has wrapped itself round her drive shaft. Removing this delays our start to the day. If there is one thing that we would criticise Turkey for it is it's attitude to rubbish. Rubbish is everywhere, it gets bagged up and just dumped. Beauty spots are particular favourites for dumping rubbish. Even proper dumps are in what would be the prettiest places.
Today we should reach Lake Van. Our road takes us through some very poor areas, stone houses with turf roofs and piles of dried cow pats ready for use as winter fuel. It is very reminiscent of Pakistan. Needing a bit of shopping we stop in a large town on the top road. The lower road meant asking Fay to do yet more high passes and anyway the cloud was so low there would be no rewarding views. Once in the town, we decide against stopping. For the first time I do not feel happy to leave Fay. On the outskirts, there is a small shop were we stock up. Fay gets surrounded by dirty, noisy children. They are harmless but it leaves an uncomfortable feeling.
Where to stop tonight? Not liking the town, I want to go further on so miss out on a couple of possible sites before finding an actual campsite. It is closed for the season but still accessible, this will do. We have not long parked when a young man comes up, he doesn't speak English but indicates that we should pay to park here. I do not believe he is anything to do with the site, more likely a Chancer? After some discussion, we agree to give him a few lira. He wants more but realises he is lucky to get anything, off he goes. Shortly after, he returns with a friend who also wants money! We say No! Another arrives, we suspect they are shepherds. Remaining smiley, I try to converse using sign language, we discover their names and after my bleating at them, that yes they are shepherds. Oh well, so long as they go and leave us alone we don't begrudge them the money. Theirs is a harsh existence, however, I can't say that this area of Turkey is endearing itself to us.
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