Day 137 Turkey 2/1/2011, Melleç – Anamur. 17.87miles/28.84miles, 2hr3minutes, Av 8.6mph.

We both had a good nights sleep and the sun was shining brightly when we woke. Breakfast was a little on the lean side as we hadn't been able to buy any bread yesterday. Our eggs and bananas were joined by some chicken that I needed to use up. It was just as well that we did eat a bit more, because far from an easy ride into the next town the road climbed, sometimes quite steeply, for the next 9 kilometres.

The views were once again spectacular even if the road itself was undergoing some heavy construction. The main road is in the process of being straightened, with several new tunnels being built. Having ridden it in its current state, we can't say that we blame them as it twists, turns and climbs quite dramatically. The new road is going to do very little for the landscape though, already there are large areas of felled trees and decimated hillside.

We imagine that if we were to return in a few years we would still have to take the old route though. The tunnels look quite long and there is a fair chance they will be toll routes only.

Finally reaching the top we began the steep descent. This would be a lot more fun if large parts of the road hadn't been dug up because of the road works. Rolling happily down a hill at 50km/h, to be suddenly greeted with gravel all over the carriageway makes for an interesting experience. Fortunately we both survived the mud, gravel and heavily rutted road, even if my luggage was lucky to stay attached when I hit a bit of unsealed road slightly on the fast side!

Riding into Anamur, the most southerly point in Turkey, we stopped at a market for supplies. Loaded up with bananas, bread and some groceries we continued out of the town looking for a nice spot for lunch.

The last few days have been harder than we had expected, perhaps we are still struggling to get back into the cycling mode after our longish lay off. Fortunately Debs is feeling much better so today's hills weren't as difficult as they have been.

When a castle came into view just outside the town and with it a couple of signs advertising camping, we decided to have a look. We had fully intended to go further today, but the possibility of a nice spot on the seafront and an early day was too attractive to turn down.

For once we aren't the only occupants of the site, as there are two French camper vans, a German and a Belgium one. After pitching our tent we had some lunch, a warmish shower and then went to have a look around the castle.

Mamure castle was built on the grounds of an ancient Roman city around the 4^th century AD. It was largely rebuilt in 1308 and consists of 39 towers, a mosque and a Turkish bath. More importantly, it is the castle that health and safety forgot! There is no area that is off limits, you can happily climb up any number of narrow unguarded steps onto every crumbling, narrow, unguarded battlement. If you have a fear of heights then the castle is not the place for you. Needless to say we climbed up everything that we could, or at least after the first few sets of steps, I did. Debs clearly showed a lot more sense than me. The setting and the views on offer were fantastic, choosing to have an early day had turned out to be a great idea.

Heading back from the castle, we picked up a few beers and drank them on the beach. A nice dinner and a good nights sleep will put an end to a much better day.