Football dreams can come true.

Below is the blog post I wrote in April 2015. Bodrum Spor had just secured their move from the amateur league to the 3rd division to join the professionals. Lots of supporters dreamt of big things to come but I doubt any imagined that in 10 seasons they would be in the Super League. Today those big dreams come to fruition as Bodrum Spor faces Galata Saray at home. Winning or losing today is secondary to the fact that one of Turkey's Top Four, the team that beat Tottenham two weeks ago, is playing our local side, on our local pitch. Dreams do come true sometimes.

"Monday, 6 April 2015 Back of the Net for Bodrum Spor

There's been much celebration in Bodrum this week-end as the local football team won their amateur league championship and secured their rise into the 3rd division. They actually clinched the lead 2 matches ago but also won the last two games of the season to finish on a high note. I live next to the stadium so was in the right place at the right time to catch the players atop this tour bus for a lap of honour around the town. Apart from car horns they were accompanied by ticker tape, helium balloons, camera drones, sirens and firecrackers so no one could have been left in any doubt as to the outcome.

Jake and I sometimes come across the players as they leave practice matches and we're happy to report that they are very dog friendly and give him a stroke so I shall have to get Jake a green and white check scarf ready for next season's matches, because they don't seem to have a doggy mascot yet"

Milas Olive Harvest Festival

The first serious downpour of the winter on Saturday put pay to my plans to visit the Milas Olive Harvest festival, but the Sunday weather was much more forgiving and just after mid-day, we joined the crowds amongst the stalls in the centre of Milas.

First purchase had to be olives, not your run-of-the-mill ones but olives dyed red with beetroot and purple with blueberry. Why would different coloured olives suddenly be a thing? Who knows but I bought some and they will brighten up my breakfast plate.

Next up was organic lavender oil (I am pretty sure all lavender is organic as it doesnt need pesticides or growth enhancers) at 200 tl a bottle - I should be sleeping peacefully for the next few months.

Turkish spicy sausages or maybe a tractor; green, blue or orange with plenty of deals from different banks offering two years interest-free credit, with our inflation rate that's not a deal to be ignored. I was very tempted by the tiny tractor but if I got one I would have to start cultivating my acre of garden and I'm too lazy for that. (I don't like the sausages so could easily walk past that stall)

A stall of mangos, kefir limes, papayas and things I didn't even recognise gave me reason to stop and chat and find out that there is a farm in Yahşi growing exotic fruit and vegetables. A trip to Iso Baba'nin Çiftliği will be on the cards soon. It's strange that I had to go to Milas to find out there is such a place close to Bodrum.

A return to the familiar a bit further on. Sesame seeds being poured into this grinder to make tahini; a pantry must-have which is even tastier when fresh.

Having recently returned from Ayvalik which you can't drive through without buying litres of olive oil, I didn't need any more for my kitchen but this Mystic stall had such temptingly well packaged bottles of oil, herbs to go in the oil and dishes to serve the oil that the Christmas present buying list was reduced by three.

Holiday - Grand Yazici Club Marmaris Palace

The travel operators in the UK must be psychic. Mid season they announced that they were extending the charter flight season to the first third of November. Usually they finish at the end of October. When I heard that my nephew and his family had booked to come out on 30th October I was very worried that they would spend the week sheltering from rainy showers and shivering by the sea but no, the weather has been perfect; warm enough to swim and sunbathe. Esi and I joined the family at the Grand Yazici in Marmaris, an all-inclusive hotel which was full of families taking a half term break. I've never stayed in a AI before but I can see the attraction. The food was great, the room comfortable, the views amazing and every member of staff I encountered was friendly and helpful. It was nice to see so many smiley faces - rather lacking in Bodrum hospitality this year.

The hotel is between Marmaris and Içmeler, both of which can be reached by a seaside path and cycle route. A welcome way to clock up 10,000 steps to work off over indulginging in the desserts.

The view of empty sandy beaches reminded me of the first time I sailed into Marmaris from Rhodes in 1981; I remember the stunning fiord like mountains and and deserted bays and then Marmaris town with a few boutiques, bars, restaurants and a crumbling castle. No marinas and very few hotels.

With my back to Icmeler, looking out to sea I could almost have gone back 43 years.