Sunday 18 November 2012

Gone Fishing


Sundays in the country usually start with a bang.  Several bangs.

Allow me to elucidate. I am referring to the sound of gun shots echoing over our house as hunter-gatherers from the town cast off their soft shoes and don stout boots and camouflage jackets and stalk anything that flies, crawls or runs through the trees. 

This morning there was silence.

I briefly wondered what had diverted the predators from their rifles then forgot about it and enjoyed the stillness. 

Having rained most of the night, it was a beautiful day today; about 22 degrees C with not a breath of wind and clear enough to see the mountains the other side of Milas. We decided to go for a walk by the sea and chose a forest path that winds along the coast to the north of Güvercinlik.    


As we reached the sea, it became obvious that everyone intent on catching food for the the table had put down their guns and picked up fishing rods.   Either in small boats or sitting on the shore, there were hoards of amateur fishermen.  I learnt a new word  "Rastgele" or "Rasgele". I'd seen it as a boat or restaurant name and now know that it is a friendly greeting wishing fishermen a good catch. 



With the light at just the right angle I managed to catch how clear the water is in front of this fisherlady. 


At the end of the path we met the professionals. Friendly as all sea-going people are, they chatted, posed for photos and insisted on giving us 2 kilos of mackerel and bream. I felt a bit guilty walking back past all the amateurs as we'd bagged a large catch without a hook or rod between us.




15 comments:

  1. Hello on a chilly Sunday here in Missouri in the United States. This posting today was so simple and so pleasant and enjoyable. Just people being people. And I so enjoyed the walk with you. I thought that in front of the fisherwoman was a field. I'm so glad that you pointed out the clearness of the water. Peace.

    ReplyDelete
  2. We are so lucky with the weather Dee. It has rained, but only in the evenings or at night. Each morning dawns bright and warm.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your really beautiful photos were so evocative of what you were describing. It brought to mind the line from the old Bing Crosby song: "Gone fishin' instead of justa wishin.' Lovely post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll try and find a copy of the song - Thank you.

      Delete
  4. It looks quite idyllic. And, unlike the Kucuk Menderes (where our local fishermen hang out) quite unpolluted. What beautiful light you caught in the photos!

    ReplyDelete
  5. The water is clear now but about 20 years ago fish farming took off in a big way and despite dire warnings from the Water Resources Research Centre in Bodrum, farms were started in nearly all the bays right on the shore line resulting in horrible smelly seas. It took about 15 years for the authorities to come to their senses and make all the farms move out into open water. Now we have clear water again.

    ReplyDelete
  6. . . enjoyed an evocative posting - homesick! Roll on tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you are at home sipping your rakı now.

      Delete
  7. It's perfect weather for fishing and walking. In fact for most outdoor pursuits at the moment.

    Isn't it lovely how people here like to give you things?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was very surprised to receive so much fish - we said no twice but they insisted.

      Delete
  8. Fishing is the new black in Fethiye. Just about everyone does it, particularly on Sundays. Think the professionals of Bodrum are more generous than their Fethiye counterparts, though. We've never been given a 2 kilo booty like that! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have since noticed how many shops there are devoted to reels and rods.

      Delete
  9. What a great place for a walk....lucky you have such nice weather.
    I know those fisherman really have to work hard. Nice photo's.
    Have yourself a great day!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a beautiful spot. Unfortunately a hotel has been built on the path so we had to leave ID at the gate in order to be able to walk through.

      Delete
  10. Really nice photos and wonderful description of Bodrum..Congrats and have a nice day..

    ReplyDelete