Golf, golf, and more golf was the plan for the week just gone but this had already been deflated by the non arrival of David’s golf buddies. But for us like them it had been paid for and at this stage the C word wasn’t too bad in Turkey, so a week in a 5 star all inclusive continued to be the plan.
There was a series of activities planned in the hotel that you could take advantage of and one that caught my eye was yoga at 10.30, Monday morning. Excellent I thought an hour of gentle warm-up and stretching, followed by a bit of a gym workout and then a nice relaxation in the pool, sauna and steam room. So, I waved David off to find new golf buddies (and as all of you know that’s not hard for David) and headed to the gym to meet my yoga teacher.
After the thankfully only half an hour session I seriously wished I had been detained elsewhere. Said yoga teacher was also the entertainments officer as well, so I recognised her from the night before ‘working’ the tables and new arrivals trying to drag them into the night club. The very fit, much younger teacher stripped down to her very in shape lycra clad body looking around for her class- except there was no class, just me. Fine, I thought one to one teaching, what could be better and so she started the music and began with a series of gentle head, shoulder rolls. Then a few more leg extensions, where of course her leg was extending much further than mine, but hey ho not wishing to lose face and still being fairly fit I more or less keep up. The movements then became more rapid and intense with No, just do what you can, or gently stretch into the pose from teacher. Instructions were fired rapidly with no reprieve- push that leg down, extend it out more etc in a heavy Russian accent and none of the kindness in her eyes that seemed to be there when she was rounding up slightly drunken men into the night club the evening before. The final straw came when after one particular leg extension she then announced and now the splits and proceeding to glide her herself legs down wide apart- a perfect demonstration of the splits. Come, come she said to me you can do this. No, no I replied through my cries of pain already from the last position. Through gritted teeth I cried “I couldn’t do the splits at 9 let alone 59” – dream on. At that point my body seemed to be unable to move anyway so I took to a flop onto the mat and lay curled up on the mat. Splits……my xxxx, it’s never been a yoga move that I’ve known and certainly not midway through an half hour class! When the half hour was over I escaped quickly from her clutches and headed to nurse my over-stretched body in the steam and sauna room. Later in the day, she tracked me down again looking for volunteers for her 3.30 Pilates class- not a chance and I stayed firmly put in my chair with a lovely glass of white wine.
The week cocooned in a 5 five golf resort hotel was supposed to be a treat, but of course with the happenings in the world at the moment it turned very much not that. Everyone was being caution to a degree and there was none of the customary greeting of kissing or hand-shakes even on the golf course Current events overtook everybody from the guests to the staff especially when on the Wednesday, when Turkey announced restaurants and cafes were to shut and the borders as well.
Peoples flights were brought forward and like everywhere the talk was entirely about the dreaded C word. We were obviously objects of interest as more and more guests realised we were in a motorhome and not flying home. We ourselves barely knew what we were going to do let alone tell them when they asked. One of the most obvious, from the more optimistic clientele was that we were better of here in the sun, with food etc. Others weren’t so sure and felt we should head for home as quickly as we could. These thoughts were echoed by our own friends and family, with a mix of the same views. Elddis were extremely supportive, saying they would be behind us whatever we decided.
David continued with his golf, fist bumping now being the protocol at start and finish, and as ever played some good shots and some bad shots, the usual tale.
I returned to yoga the next day in a hope that the splits were just a one off, but no the same routine was followed but as least I was prepared this time and firmly stuck to my own level of yoga cum Pilates leaving out the torture.
Today is Sunday and we are parked up in a small remote campsite with two other UK motorhomers we were playing to travel through Turkey and into Azerbaijan with. They have decided to stay here for the weeks it takes and we have joined them after speaking to our two embassies- both of whom gave different advice, the Irish being more helpful at this stage. There is a beach nearby, mountains with snow still on their tops as a back drop. We can walk, cycle, run etc and there is a small village nearby where the shops do have food and toilet roll still.
So, we are effectively self-isolating here, keeping ourselves to ourselves and away from the campsite owners and family. It’s hard being away from family and friends at home during this testing period but coming home at the moment we don’t think will achieve anything much, but we will play it by ear. And who knows by the end of the four weeks David might have managed couch to five and I might have achieved the splits-I’m working on it.
One day we’ll be able to shake hands again like all good golfers
Top Tips of the week
Don’t get a head cold at this current time, very unusual for me
Stay calm and carry on.
Janice says
Makes for very interesting reading. Karen, dont put yourseld down. We all know how fit you are. I bet she was really impressed with you and that is why she was pushing you.
David you are very lucky you have been able to get a few rounds of golf in. Keep up your excercise plans. The park looks lovely and you are far more likey to stay well there in the wide open space than you ever wouldin S E London .
Katherine says
Run tomorrow and then Annetta will lead yoga on Wednesday … hopefully no splits!!!
Stan Policky says
Good call