Antalya
An out-of-season trip to the Manavgat region of southern Turkey was more about satisfying an itch for foreign travel than chasing anything specific that might satisfy a list or two. Walking through Terminal 2 at Heathrow provided the immediate rush of liberty and freedom that had been building during the period of suppressed mobility. The climb out of the easterly runway on a Turkish 777-300ER to Istanbul provided glorious views of the capital. Connecting at Istanbul airport for the short flight south to Antalya walking through grand linear piers of the new airport was very impressive. It was great to be away and to get a taste of something authentic. Turkish food is absolutely glorious, healthy and with a suppressed economy and favourable exchange rates, this lovely meal cost all of £3. Of course birding was never going to be too far away from the agenda. The weather however was unexpectedly dire, a mixture of cool cloudy days to a day of torrential rain and thunderstorms o...