Last Spring

This weekend sees the Autumnal Equinox which heralds the change in seasons. In Turkey the word for Fall or Autumn is Sonbahar, literally "last spring". This is a much more optimistic route into winter as it promises new growth and a return to green. The photo above is the pond at the bottom of our garden in Ilkbahar,  first Spring this year and the picture below was taken this afternoon.

The pond never completely dries out  but it's a murky green colour now and the earth around is split in deep cracks and crevices.The cows still visit twice a day and don't seem to complain about the water quality. This is as dry as it gets and from now on, even though we may not have any rain for a month, the mornings start to feel damp and the dew will encourage the first plants to sprout. 

Even in this parched landscape there are still a few flashes of colour and it's the humble thistle that is providing the lovely lilac splashes. Those of you that have stuck with me from the beginning  know that cooking, eating and drinking thistles has been a minor theme of this blog so it is fitting that I have a picture of them on my 100th post. 

Thistle Posts:

http://backtobodrum.blogspot.com/2012/05/highland-tea.html

http://backtobodrum.blogspot.com/2012/04/most-useful-recipe-in-aegean-and.html

http://backtobodrum.blogspot.com/2012/03/passion-for-prickles.html

http://backtobodrum.blogspot.com/2012/03/prickly-eat.html