When the temperature in Fethiye climbs way past 40 what better way to escape the heat than head off into the hills in a smart hire car.  The aged Kartal, Fethiye Times’ normal mode of transport, affectionately known as the Gas Fired Monster (GFM), was deemed unworthy on this occasion, and a new silver Fiat Doblo that ran on diesel was hired in for the journey.

And the plan?  A visit to Aphrodisias, between Denizli and Aydın, calling in to another ancient site en route.  Then camp near to Aphrodisias and return the next day via Nazilli (where we hoped to find a weird chateau built in the mid 19th century) and possibly another ancient site near to Ʃne, before heading for home.  We would go via ơmeli, thus taking the scenic route to the main Denizli road, and return via Muğla making the whole journey a circle and avoiding the chore of driving back on the same road we used to get there.

Hire car was collected on the evening of Tuesday 15th July, camping gear loaded before bed.  Early Wednesday morning cool boxes and other supplies were added and by 7.30am Wednesday we were on the road heading for Üzümlü – and watch this space for the next episode.