Ören. In Search of Paragliders.

About 16 years ago, at an age when most fathers are investigating the cost of Stannah stair lifts, my dad took up paragliding. He's still at it today and is always on the look-out for sites abroad that his flying mates can visit. Fifteen years ago we took Mum and Dad to Ören; a small town half way up the Gulf of Gökova, about 60 kms by road from Bodrum, and discovered a nascent flying-holiday business set up by keen paragliding German Turks.  We all went back last week-end, hoping to see this small endeavour thriving, only to find the hotel shut. Considering how popular throwing yourself off a cliff is in Ölüdeniz, this was a surprise but it may be because poor Ören doesn't have the best initial vista - on its approach either by road or sea, the first thing you see is a massive power station chimney. In its favour, Ören is the home of ancient Keremos and the pebble beach itself is charming - long and clean, and backed by plenty of small cafes where you can still eat at 1995 prices. (i.e under £5 a head).

Having lost the fliers, I'm not sure which market the Ören council are trying to attract. The pastel parasols are photogenic, but what's going on with the rubbish bins?

The Sunday we visited,  it was popular with local bikers who, after lunch, were about to drive to the top of the cliff. Fearing for our suspension, we didn't.

Environmental groups have campaigned long and hard to have the power station closed, but it was still puffing out it's smoke the day we arrived.