Day 5. Monday 9 May

Jane's entry.
Yesterday we went from racey 21st Century Abu Dhabi at 40 degrees Celsius, to the Ottoman Old Town of Istanbul and a chilly 16 degrees. All in the space of a 5 hour flight. Dug out the woollies and socks and went for a stroll on the cobbles round the Blue Mosque and the Sultanahmet area where the carpet salesmen are full-on with their determination to make a deal. It all looks beautiful; we will come back to Istanbul for 6 days at the end of our Turkey travels. Had the first of many kebabs in a warm hostelry and hit the sack in preparation for a 6 a.m. start.

ANZAC Cove, Gallipoli

Today began with breakfast on the rooftop of the hotel with a wonderful view over to the Bosphorus. Then onto a minibus and the tour to Gallipoli. I'm so glad we included this. We had an excellent guide, and a very detailed rundown of the 9 month campaign, the wasteful carnage and the similarly horrific losses for the Turks. Anzac Cove is a little sandy strip with aqua water and steep cliffs rising to the peak of the Ridge at Lone Pine. It's such a small area for so many men to have been packed together. The memorials and gravestones are dotted around and there are wildflowers like poppies and daisies at the moment. And a real sense of respect. Over the water in a ferry to Cannakale for the night. Off to look for a fish restaurant now.

Read the words if you can.