Here we are at the coldest time of the year and what are we all looking forward to? Altinkum!

Yep, it won't be long now and we'll all be back over there, mopping up the sweltering heat, cooling of in the luxurious blue seas and drying off on the golden sands or in the nearest bar. I for one can't wait, but then again I know I'm going so some of the excitement seems to wane because it is a regular thing.

This year I tried a few new places; Portugal was excellent and very cosmopolitan. It was a bonus to see so many cultural differences all getting along side by side. Then there was Nashville and New York; OK the Yanks are madd as a hatter but boy can they put a spread on! and another shock to the system was Prague. I expected all bars and booze but I was very suprised by the niceness and cleanlineess of the place.

The best place I visited though was Izmir; it might be very well populated but Izmir has all of the above and more. There are different natonalities wandering around the shops, bars and restaurants galore and the friendliness and clean thouroughfares deserved a medal. I would reccomend a trip there to anyone with a few hours to spare whilst holidaying in Altinkum. Ask anyone who has a van/car/motorbike to give you a lift and you will probably be suprised when they jump at the chance.

Well I 'm for some more Christmas cheer, have one yourself and I'll see you all next year

Kanki.

I met Mark (the Pool guy) when he first came to Altinkum to have a look around. He seemed a nice lad with a lovely family and lots of people shared the same view. I can remember sitting with him one evening having a chat about his future plans in Altinkum and he was very positive that withthe skills he had, he could make a go of it as a Pool cleaner/maintenance man. I was pretty impressed actually; here he was, a young guy with a young family and he was going to make a go of it in a different country.. good no you I thought and wished him all the best.

Nest year I came back to hear that he was doing well and over the next couple of years he became a well know fixture in Altinkum with a company vehicle and lots of accounts. He looked like he was doing OK and when I spoke to him he was always positive.

It's a shame in my eyes to see someone like Mark run off like he has. OK, he has left a lot of people out of pocket but the same is happening all over Europe that is happening here and the so called 'Credit Crunch' affects businesses all over. House sales are down, Holiday lettings are down therefore property services will suffer. I'm not sticking up for Mark in any way, he should have stayed and battled it out somehow. However looking at it from his point I can see that if you have debts, nothing coming in and young family to feed without the aid of a social security system that we have here, it must be a difficult choice to make.

I'm truly sorry for all of his customers that he has let down, but I am also sorry for Mark's predicament. Life... it keeps us guessing!

Well, the weather's changing a bit here and it's that time again...packing! What do you take? will it be too hot or will it turn cold at night, you never can tell in September. Last month they were all sweltering in 100 degree heat while we got soaked on a daily basis, now look... we've still got rain (on and off) and the weather in Altinkum has dropped to the 70's. Thank you all for using up the really hot weather and leaving us some sun!

That said, it can get too hot when it is in the 90's, you don't get much sleep becasue you are all sticky and sweaty (unless you have air con) and you can't take the heat on the beach so it's in the bar at lunch and damn lucky if you get out before 6.

Whatever the weather I'll be glad to get there. Just got the flight to put up with and the drive into town and it's happy holidays! Just a quick warning; the flights have been very delayed this year in the kids holiday season, you all have my sympathy, especially the ones who were waiting five hours and more. It will probably be back to normal by next week so fingers crossed eh?

 OK, who ordered the rain? All you holidaymakers over there in Altinkum are lapping it up at the moment and what have we got...Rain! You are sweltering away in 100 degree heat whislt we sit here in the low 50s wishing for some sun. That's it, I've had enough, I'm on my way. Why stay here when there are flights for £72 available (manchester to bodrum, one way)? See you all soon!