A
quiet night. A little cool as we are at 850m but much lower than
Ankara’s camp at 1500m.
John put the kettle on for morning tea and it did not start. He did the normal wriggle of wires but still nothing then we realized that the light was a 2 flash which happens to be combustion fan. Then we noticed that the fan was making a very different noise. Cleaned the fan and finally got my coffee.
We
had an interesting day now that we are away from big towns and
pavement. The
small town of Keskin was very friendly with people greeting us with big
smiles. I found a vodafone place (not a shop exactly) and
purchased 6GB of data for 40TL about AU$10. We asked in a supermarket
where to buy bulk vinegar, they gave us a name and vague direction
and off we went. We eventually found 5lt bottles of grape
vinegar - which should clean the calcium that must be building up again in our heater. Our pot, just from boiling tea water of a
morning, has a thick covering that is scrubbed off every day.
We
cannot find a hook for the steps we really just need a strong hook to hang
one's coat on.
Back
across the free way onto white roads, these were all sealed. Quiet a
few black clouds hanging around and the forecast for thunder storms.
Little white soft flakes were landing on the windscreen and we realize that
it was not rain in the clouds
but snow.
Just
out of one small village we passed a big man on a little donkey
riding down hill. At the bottom we stopped to take some photos and
the guys working in a paddock walked over.
We got out to chat then
were invited back to the truck for a yarn and chai.
They
lit the fire and put a well used billy on to boil. It
was cold so one of the guys got a jacket out of the truck for me.
We
learnt through sign language that the boss man owned the paddock with
the crop in it that we had been photographing and the one that was
presently being seeded with chickpeas was owned buy someone or the
village we had come through. They split the crop 50/50.
The guy on the donkey made it down through the paddocks.
We
finally had tea and they reheated very thin sheets of bread on a
bushy branch over the fire sprinkled on crumbly cheese and gave to
me. I wanted to share with john but one was forced on him too. Such
hospitality.
Snow flakes blew past every now and again. The
tractor came back for a refill of seeds. I went back to EC for 4
kangaroos but two guys drove out and the boss man was on the tractor.
John brought the last guy over for a look. I gave him the roos and
explained one each so I hope they all got one. I handed back the
jacket and we left.
This
guy had about 50 milking cows out for their daily food. When we drove
by he wanted us to take his photo - so here he is so pleased with Life!!
We
passed through lots of herds of animals heading back home for the
night. In one town the 4 calves took off with the herder chasing.
John and I got out to help. A fun time.
There is also many acres having these irrigation line put in with large mains running down the edge of the road. Not sure whether they will be planting a different crop or like most places it is becoming drier. 
By 5pm and we still had 80km’s to go, but most of the roads
were sealed and in reasonable condition.
At
the top of a pass at about 1440m we turned onto a little track to
perch up above the road. A great view down over another lake and
farmland. Karasenir dagi
John
was all set to cook a curry for dinner, we felt it prudent to start
the stove before he prepared anything - and just as well - no
joy. We cleaned the electrics, and john braved the falling snow/cold
and wind to get the compressed air hose. With the engine we gave it a
good blast of air catching some of the burnt dust etc from within.
Clean air in the fan and black stuff out the exhaust. Still failed.
One
thing we did learn is that when the high altitude button is pressed,
the fan starts……...and then when the go button is pressed nothing
else happens no lights or anything. Turn the high altitude button off
and it tries to start. Something
wrong somewhere but doesn't really appear to be only the fan. So
a cold dinner of bits and pieces and a tin of salmon.
At
least the heater is working. Forecast
for -5℃ tonight.
138km
138km