Dalyan – 3rd & 4th April

On Friday 3rd April I started the laborious task of moving all the missing Supplier data from our Resort Expert spreadsheets to the new Zone database. It wasn’t the most exciting job I’d taken on but it certainly wasn’t the worst and, for a bit of extra cash, I was happy to plough through it. A lot of the Dalyan Dwellers were going to be out on the town over the weekend as lots of bars and restaurants were opening up this weekend to start the 2026 season. By me working and not going out, I was going to be saving money as well as earning it, by not spending it on drinking.
I had a few messages and voice notes from friends requesting my time and attention this weekend. Most acknowledged that I was working all weekend but still wanted to know if we could go out for a drink or meet up. I explained I was busy and that I wouldn’t be drinking until I had the weekend job completed. I couldn’t do this level of detail with a hangover and it’s never just 1 glass with a lot of my Dalyan friends. When I take something on I do it, and I like to do it well so I was keen to get on with the job. I had a feeling I would get more requests to go out so I put my phone on silent and cracked on.
I also decided to sign up to a group programme with Georgina Chapman (copywriter) and Holly Frances (Tech whizz) so that they could help me get my copy and tech sorted ready for promoting my own products (books and digital travel products).
I didn’t get in touch with Captain Caveman as I knew he was working all weekend too.
I had a homemade curry for dinner then went over to The Aussies around 7.30pm for cheese, snacks and gin. They had brought me gifts of butter and a South Korean rice wine flavoured with lemon, which was so kind. I had a really good night with them and we planned to see more of each other in the next 12 days. The rain was quite heavy so I didn’t leave until midnight, having just had 2 gin and tonics all evening. As I walked home a storm started and it was pretty torrential just after I got home.

Gratitude List
1. Having work to do over the weekend for extra cash
2. Being disciplined to saying no to drinking with Dalyan Dwellers
3. Joining the Neon Nook with Georgina and Holly.

I had a video call with Captain Caveman on the morning of Saturday 4th April. He was fuming as the weekend Easter work, that he had been scheduled to start in London yesterday, had been changed. Without being informed, he had been switched to work in Bristol on Tuesday and had been given the whole of the Easter weekend off. This went against Captain Caveman’s plans as he was meant to be in Sheffield on Tuesday to meet with the estate agent and move in to his new flat. I was also very annoyed as I could have booked a £30 flight to go see Captain Caveman for Easter in London.
By this time it was too late for me to go to the market and it looked like rain anyway so I decided to make do with what I had.
I worked more on the supplier list for Resort Experts after looking at flights to go to Captain Caveman tonight for a £100. We decided against it as he had to work all week in Bristol so I would only be there for the weekend.
I tried my best to ignore more messages from friends who were chomping at the bit to get me to go out drinking. I said a firm no and that I would only go once I’d finished this job. Instead, I had a bolognese for lunch, worked hard for the rest of the day, also quoted some holidays for clients too and then had a chickpea curry for dinner when I finished work at 7.30pm. I was going to have a walk outside for fresh air and a trip to the off licence for some wine but I couldn’t. I’d had messages from the usual various Dalyan Dwellers to say to come join them in Tez bar, Corner bar or Sofra bar but I didn’t want to drink too much and I was knackered.
I stayed in and made myself a White Russian (as I had no wine at home) and fell asleep on the sofa, while attempting to catch up on my writing. At least I’d had another zero spend day today, even if it hadn’t been intentional.

Gratitude List
1. Getting to speak to Captain Caveman
2. Working hard to save money
3. Good homemade food and a zero spend day.

Dalyan – 5th October

I had set my alarm to check on Norman, the dog, at 7.30am on Sunday 5th October. I was a bit bleary-eyed and felt hungover, my stomach wasn’t great either. Norman was still snoring away and didn’t wake up until after the kettle had boiled.
I did a video to a friend who’s birthday it was and then Norman did a video to Jamie & Drew (aka Little Daddy & Step Daddy Drew) to let him know he was fine, despite last night’s partying. They think I’m crackers with the videos but Norman likes them and Edna used to love them, so I’ve continued them. We spent the rest of the morning drinking water and sage tea, laying on the sofa feeling a bit delicate. Norman got lots of snuggles and snored too much for me to have a nap. Nanny Kay popped over and we had a natter but no tea as she had already had 2 cups. She kindly gave me a lift when she left too to save me walking back home. I bought some treats at the shop for The Aussies to take with them on their journey tomorrow, including some vampire teeth with it being Halloween month.
We met in the street, all on our way to Ayaz. We all agreed it was one of our new favourites for Turkish food at a reasonable price. The food was excellent; I had the chicken shish, Amanda the chicken wings and Greg ordered lamb shish. They brought dips too, which were lovely. Amanda and I had the fresh pomegranate juice and Greg a Coke. We were the only ones in there so we got great service and large portions, I’d intended taking half home but I finished it all and was stuffed. The temptation to have the künefe was too much, as I’d not had one for at least a year. Greg and I shared it and I enjoyed it. For those who’ve not tried it, it’s like shredded wheat with melty cheese and honey. It was definitely not Slimming World friendly!
The Aussies treated me to the meal, which was very kind and I was sad to see them leave, especially when I knew they were returning to stressful jobs back in Australia. They walked me back and they even came to say bye to Norman, who really appreciated it and tried to do loving leg licks to show it.
By 9.30pm both Norman and I were no stranger to naps on the sofa after a lovely weekend. I had 3 more days left with Norman before the work trip with Jamie to Antalya – which I was really looking forward to.

Gratitude List
1. Seeing Nanny Kay
2. A fabulous farewell meal with Amanda and Greg at Ayaz
3. Norman.

Dalyan – 4th October

Saturday 4th October was not only market day in Dalyan but it was my first day without medication. It would turn out to be quite a frustrating morning but a rather lovely afternoon.
Debbie had already offered to get me some fruit and veg from the market. I’d declined her kind offer because my parents had said they were going and that we could go together. Ma agreed to give me cash in exchange for me doing a bank transfer which meant I only had to walk to the market and back. Unfortunately, I’d misunderstood about going to the market together as my parents prefer to walk to the market on a certain route and I didn’t want to walk to their’s and then through the side streets when it was easier and quicker for me to go down the main road. I thought I’d meet them there, get the money, share their shopping trolley for anything heavy and all walk back together. That didn’t happen. I got to the market fine, a bit in pain and frustrated at how slow I was. This meant my parents had almost finished their shopping and wanted to get off. I got the money from Mom and we bought some strawberries together before Dad needed to go to the loo. I’m so like my Dad in that regard as I also had wondered if I would make it there and back without a loo break. They weren’t walking back my way as they were going in to town to the supermarket so I couldn’t walk that distance yet.
I decided not to buy much else as I hadn’t even brought a suitable bag to carry the shopping back in. It was hard work walking back and the bag straps were cutting in to my shoulders. I managed to get over half way when Ali, came past on her mobility scooter and asked if I wanted a lift. I have never been so grateful for the offer of a lift.
She dropped me off just a few minutes later and she said she’d pop in next week for a cuppa and a chat. She also said to ask her to get me anything rather than struggling to get it myself. I was still pleased that I had managed it without the painkillers and I at least had something to offer my guests later. I had bought cheese, olives, butter, bananas, mushrooms and strawberries and I can’t recall how much I spent aside from the strawberries being 300 lira (£5.50). Luckily the off licence does free delivery so I could order that later.
After getting in, I was exhausted.
At midday Penny popped in for a cup of tea and brought some cakes, which were very good but a bit naughty, and some fresh bread. I took Norman out early so that he didn’t miss a walk once my next guests arrived. Captain Caveman called and we decided I would book my flights to see him at Christmas. I chose a return flight and added 15kg luggage. We also decided that, as we weren’t going to Vietnam for Christmas and New Year, we would look for a January holiday somewhere warm instead.
When The Aussies arrived I was out on the terrace waiting for them and I’d already ordered the following delivery from Yaman Büfe;
Gin
Tonic
Wine
Soda water
Ice
Crisps
Total spent 1,155.00 lira (£21.19)

I got out a few nibbles and we sat outside all evening. I had some wine with lots of soda as it was my first alcoholic drink in a month and I didn’t want to feel hungover tomorrow. My guests were on the gin and also brought some treats. We had a good laugh and Norman was glad of the company. Amanda and Greg didn’t leave until 2am and I think we had covered discussions on most topics – I even discovered Greg can do an excellent donkey impression. This was meant to have been our last goodbye but we agreed to a late lunch tomorrow afternoon.

Gratitude List
1. Surviving the market shopping
2. Getting a lift from Ali
3. Having Penny and the Aussies come over to visit.

Dalyan – 10th March

On Monday 10th March I awoke to a message from The Aussies that my book had arrived in Australia and Greg had sent me a selfie – the first one I received. He was excited to be the first person in Australia to read it, Amanda would be reading it after him. It felt so good to have friends’ support, particularly ones who travel a lot and who we met in the place most of the chapters describe. I was a bit nervous but excited to know what they thought of my ramblings. I had now sold around 20 books and I was looking forward to hearing the reviews.
To distract myself, I started my residency renewal preparation and had decided to save money and do it myself instead of using an agent, which can cost up to £250 on top of all the other things needed. After breakfast oats and banana cake and a cup of tea, I went off to the bank to get 6 months’ of bank statements printed out to show I had put in the required amounts to my Turkish bank account. The rules only asked for 33,156 lira (£705 approx at today’s rate) for the last 3 months but I had been putting in a little more, just in case.
On the way back from the bank I called at the shop and bought the following, prices in lira;

Migros Supermarket
1 plastic bag 0.50
Chocolate biscuits 19.00
Light yoghurt 28.12
Sweetcorn 32.50
Cheese spread 34.90
2 tins tomatoes 35.90
Mixed beans 39.95
1kg chicken breasts 156.10
2 packs of mozzarella cheese 199.80
Total spent 546.77 lira (£11.61)

Nanny Kay popped round for a cup of tea and Edna was beside herself to have a visitor – her first in the 2 weeks that I had been looking after the dogs. She wouldn’t leave Nanny Kay alone and even kept fetching her a toy to play with and throw for her. It might have been because I had treated us to biscuits, which Edna was not used to.
In the afternoon, in between work enquiries, I went through all of my bank statements to check that each month had more than the required amount in. March had in the exact amount right now but more was due to go in this week. I was so pleased I had managed it and was so hoping that I would get granted my 2 years renewal this time. They had changed the rules the day after I got my 6 month renewal last time and I had been so gutted to have missed out. I spoke to Captain Caveman who was in Sheffield and was suggesting I might want to consider asking an agent to do the residency to make sure that it would definitely get done on a 2 year basis. I explained the costs of the insurance was already going to be a lot and I should save money. I got in touch with Aytaç Saraymine at Saraymine Insurance Agency, as well as the one I already had 6 months left of my policy with, to get quotes for a 2 year policy as required for the residency application.
For dinner I had roasted vegetable and feta style cheese with pasta and it was really lovely. I then joined a Lisa Johnson live Q&A session to hear her answer any questions about her and her business.

Gratitude List
1. Seeing Nanny Kay
2. Knowing that I had managed to get the required amount of money in to my Turkish bank account for the last 6 months – it had not been easy after losing my job.
3. Lisa Johnson’s Q&A session.