Wednesday 26 September 2012

Mornings

Sartorial standards are slipping in the BtoB household. I blame my broken arm. Getting dressed with a cast is tricky so I've narrowed my options down to 3 baggy shirts and 3 drawstring trousers.  I kid myself that as long as I'm wearing linen, I'll look cool and elegant.  Not being able to use an iron, ensures that I look crumpled and creased. None of this matters on my early morning walks as Jake and I join the villagers in the forest.  Cold weather is approaching so the usually empty forest is dotted with my distant neighbours out gathering fire wood. Everyone living on the edge of woodland has the right to gather fallen and dead wood for their stoves. The forestry commission cleared a large tract of land  next to our house this year, getting rid of all the dead wood but leaving massive unearthed tree roots, so the mornings ring to the sound of axes pinging off the giant stumps.


I feel as if I've walked into a Gainsborough painting when these ladies emerge from the morning mist, carrying their stick stacks on their backs.  I like the idea that this occupation has been going on for centuries.

Any romantic notions I had though, were quashed when this lady, who laughingly agreed to have her photograph taken, had to break the pose to fish her ringing mobile phone out of her blouse.



31 comments:

  1. Beautiful images - and a beautiful woman, despite being attached to her mobile! Note it's the women carrying the wood...Ah, probably cos the man has a donkey to carry it for him!
    Axxx

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    1. The chap with a donkey is very old - so I'll let him get away with it.

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  2. Geçmis olsun! And I love the photo of the woman, knowing the back story that she had to answer her phone!

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    1. I thought she was very pretty in her pinks and purples.

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  3. Great photos. These scenes are familiar in our village too. I love it. Your cast must be due for removal soon?

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  4. So you'll be back to your winter quarters soon?

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    1. We've stayed a couple of nights but still too noisy. If the weather's good we'll be in the village until November.

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  5. Hello! this posting and its accompanying photographs left me grinning--for many reasons, one of which is my bemusement over the assumptions we all make. Peace.

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  6. I remember those images from years ago when we were there. Your lady with mobile also reminded me of the local fashion for wearing lots of different florals at the same time.
    There is something quite real about collecting your own fuel to burn instead of flicking a switch.

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  7. Good news on the cast removal.
    Super photographs...all those soft colours.

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    1. With two dogs on leads and a duff arm, the photos are a bit hit and miss.

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  8. mobile phones in the pockets of goat herders going off in the middle of nowhere amazed us back in our early days - not any more. Best time of the year is coming up fast in the outside lane/lane outside!

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    1. Her ring tone was the original Nokia one that's hardly heard anymore.

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  9. Hello I've just found your blog. I lived in Bitez during the spring and summer of 1979 and again in 1980. We didn't have time to explore as we were busy working no car and a baby. We went back once in '86 and the development broke my heart; I know we can't expect things to stay the same to suit our tastes but it looked like a concrete jungle. I had to laugh tho at the women carrying the sticks that certainly hasn't changed. we'd see the women walking with a basket full on their backs while the man rode on the donkey.
    Seeing all that rubbish dumped must have made you furious especially when there is a public tip. I do find Turks, who love picnicking, seem to have no concept of taking their rubbish home with them. I've seen lots of areas spoiled by the rubbish they leave.
    Lastly I was lucky enough to see the Hockney Bigger Trees Near Warter exhibition in York earlier this year, magnificent! Will there be a Back to Bodrum does Hockney exhibition in the near future?

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    1. Hi Jane, I'd love to talk to you about bitez in 79 and 80. We lived there in 83 and 84.

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    2. Yes loads of stories and memories. I wish there was a communal blog where everyone could chip in with their experiences. I've just discovered blogs and have spent too much time clicking from one fascinating title to the next - who needs books when there are blogs!

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    3. You are very welcome to do a guest post on here. I'm sure everyone would love to hear your memories of Bitez. You can contact me on BacktoBodrum@gmail.com if you are interested.

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  10. What great images....it's funny that she has a mobile because to me she looks like she's from another era of some kind.....her clothes are so colorful with pretty pinks and purples.
    Oh my, they sure have to carry a lot of wood branches on their back, that is one task I wouldn't want to do, I'd for sure invest into a "donkey'.
    Hope you get your cast off soon and you can get back to normal. Take care. E

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    1. Thanks Erica, I can't wait to get this contraption off my arm.

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  11. That's a pretty funny story about the mobile but very classic. Glad you've been enjoying your walks with Jake despite the broken arm - I was wondering about that. That's the great thing about a dog - there's no moping around the house when it's time for their walk! I imagine you have about four more weeks before being free again.

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  12. Great photos, and I love the story. Hope the arm is better soon. J.

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  13. We're just back from holiday in Turkey and saw many women carrying sticks on their backs,elderly women too and working in the fields.I so wanted to ask my husband to stop the car and ask if I could take their photo but I know hubby would think I was daft as all I did was take photos of flowers and old doors and ruins. Love your photo.

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  14. Love her outfit! Shows Hilary has much to learn about contrasting florals (she is getting there!). We just ordered our first tonne of firewood. It will be chopped for us and delivered in sacks. Now you have made us feel lazy!
    Hope the arm comes out of plaster soon.

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    1. Does Hilary have a pair of pink flowery şalvas for the back of the bike?

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  15. Love her outfit! Shows Hilary has much to learn about contrasting florals (she is getting there!). We just ordered our first tonne of firewood. It will be chopped for us and delivered in sacks. Now you have made us feel lazy!
    Hope the arm comes out of plaster soon.

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