Celebrations Were In Order

Well, its been a quiet few days - I do believe we are starting to settle in to our new home.

The internet is working perfectly, the TV has been fixed to the wall, and we can watch UK TV and Netflix in the comfort of our new home. I've had a tummy bug for the last few days (all cleared up now) which has meant a few quiet nights in - which has been great. We are finally cooking in our own kitchen after 3 months of temporary accommodation with basic facilities.

Also meant a trip to a pharmacy - which I was dreading - but we found one in town (the second one we went into as the first pharmacist looked at us with fear in her eyes) who speaks perfect English and was able to give us all the medication we needed. Another small step achieved.

We've been to the gym quite a few times as well. There's a minibus system around most Istanbul areas - you flag the bus down, hop on and pay the driver a very small fee, and rattle around the narrow streets to your destination. And the Yesilkoy ones start from right outside our home - so convenient. The 2 buses to the various tourist centres in Istanbul also start there - I meant to catch one this week as a recce - but it just hasn't happened.

Another small step - we have a water cooler in the kitchen which ran out of water. How to order a new one ? Well the phone call didn't work. I ended up saying "Tamam, Gule Gule" (OK. Goodbye) and putting the phone down. Caglan to the rescue - he called the guy who was around within 30 mins. And getting the next bottle should be easy (famous last words) as we now have a fridge magnet wth the phone number, and we have to say "Bir numara" (Number one). They have apparently devised a system just for us foreigners ! And we are number 1 on the list :-).

But why are we celebrating ? Well, Paul passed his Ground School final exam yesterday - as did everyone else. So the reading of the books is over and he can look forward to the next phase. 5 simulator sessions in one week - starting 12th Sept. After that he might have another few weeks off while he waits for his Apron Pass (Allows him to go air-side). But now he has 8 days off . What will we do ???? No problems there - seats booked on a flight to Pisa on Saturday for 3 days. We just got onto the Turkishair site, looked for a country we fancied going to, then picked an airport. Not a bad way to make travel decisions.

So we did celebrate last night - rather too much. Just a quiet drink with new friend Sally down at a local restaurant. Started at 5pm - finished at 11pm. That Efes is far stronger than Tiger ! And the 2 bottles of white wine didn't help either. Its taken a long time to start to feel normal today. A trip to the gym and a quiet night in will help a lot. That'll learn us !!

PS - speaking of settling in. I started a Book Group this week. We will meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month. We have 12 members already. How cool is that ?