On the way to Drogheda we travelled through the famous valley with its history, starting from Newgrange archaeological site to the site if the famous battle. Some pics!
We arrived on Friday last and have been on the go almost every minute of the day, so a detailed post will be delayed. Briefly, we saw amazing sights in Instanbul, visited Gallipoli and had a very thorough lecture on the disastrous landing and ensuing battles, and today visited Troy. We are now in Izmir and leave for Cappadoccia tomorrow.
The famous Hagia Sophia was built in the earlier Byzantine (Christian ) era and was destroyed by the invading Ottomans and later by the earthquake of 1346. It was restored by Mehmed the Conquerer in 1357 and converted to a mosque. There are many frescoes dating from the Byzantine period in evidence adding to the splendour of this magnificent building which words alone fail to describe. Hagia Sophia - some interior photos to follow. Evidence of Christian period. Our visit to this cultural magnificence was followed by something more mundane - a turkish delight and baklava tasting! What a selection and so delicious!! The generous sampling satisfied us as lunch and then we went to see the underground cisterns huch were the original water storage facilities and vaste!! Under ground water cisterns. We next visited the Grand Bazaar and did not get lost!! Some photos! So many stores with ceramic and ...
Settled in on the Saturday and on Sunday took our first walk to the next village- Youlgreave . There is a footpath all the way which makes for easy dry walking. In the afternoon we felt a bit more adventurous and took to the recommended walk from the village. First part was on a path and dry, despite the occasional shower but then we were directed oner the fields first part OK but then we walked through knee high very wet grass, through a field with very curious but friendly horses and finally back on the road. By that stage we were wet through - so no more fields of grass after rain! On the Monday we visited Bakewell and Buxton. On the road to Bakewell, we were following a fast tractor pulling a horse/cow/farm animal box, heading for the market. When we got close to town we saw many, many such vehicles parked as it was the livestock market!! We were disappointed with the farmers' market as there was only one vege stall, and so many more selling clothes etc. We found t...