Day 83 Turkey 10/12/2010, Güpinar–Behramkale (Assos). 11.95miles/19.47km,1hr53minutes, Av6.3mph!

The first thing to mention is that we survived being eaten by cows during the night. However some time around 3am we were treated to a massive storm, complete with thunder, lightning and high gusting winds. The storm then continued unabated until about 9am. Any ideas that we had of getting an early start were quickly quashed. Fortunately the appalling weather had kept anyone who may have bothered us away.

With the wind still extremely strong we got packed up at about 10:30am and rejoined the road. It was probably the wind, but it felt unbelievably cold. We were both fully togged up in our waterproofs and buffs to keep out the chill. To think that the day before I had been wearing shorts!

Any thoughts that we must be near the end of the hills proved ill-founded, as we continued to climb steadily into a very strong headwind.

We now have no doubts about the task we have ahead of us in getting through Turkey. Especially as we are following the possibly flatter coastal route.

Judging by the bleakness of the towns that we passed through, the strong winds are not a stranger to this part of the country. As we continued onwards towards Behramkale the headwind turned into a crosswind and the conditions started to get dangerous. It frequently felt like we were being picked up and shoved across the road. The downhill sections which are normally fun became anything but, with us both reaching for our brakes, lest the wind blow us off the edge of the road!

The supposedly short 20km today had turned into one of our hardest days. Strangely the hills didn't bother us as much as the wind. When Behramkale finally came into view, up a steep hill naturally, it was with some relief. Finding an open guest-house came as even more of a relief.

A warm shower and a rapidly warming room has done wonders for our spirits. Hopefully the weather will improve tomorrow when we go to have a look round Assos. We will be here for two nights to try and have a rest from the last few days exertions. A kebab may even be on the cards!