Dom and Aytun in Suzhou: July 2012

Galata Tower and Taksim

Out and about with Aytun and Arzu. We went up the Galata Tower - one of my favourite spots in Istanbul - and then wandered up Istaklal in Taksim and had a great dinner at Gani Gani. Loads of fantastic Turkish food.

A wander around the old neighborhood - Etiler

Had a wander around Etiler, the old neighbourhood, ending in Harvard Cafe. I had my old discount card - last used 7 years before - and they still honoured it!

The old bakal, now with added newspapers.

The entrance way to our first home

That's our old window

Harvard Cafe. A large bira....

...and a very large burger.

Coming up to 8 years...

Nearly 8 years ago the wonderful Aytun said 'Evet' on our wedding day. She'd also said 'Yes' a year before when I proposed. Never has one word in two languages made me happier. She is the gift that keeps on giving and she makes me a better person. And I love her to bits.

Findikli 2012

July saw our now annual trip to the Northeast of Turkey, specifically to Findikli - the village Aytun and her family come from. It's a tea growing region and just about anything else grows there as well. We stayed at her father's house and spent time seeing family, jumping in the river, seeing some sights and eating the great local food.

UK Summer 2012

We headed back to the UK for the start of the summer holidays. End of June and start of July and the weather was cold and wet. There were some of those 4 seasons in one day type of days which was confusing.

What was not confusing was fun that we had catching up with family and friends. A random selction of pictures follow that tell part of the story in no particular order, other than chronological.