19.10.24

When I woke up John had already hatched a cunning plan.

It looks like there may be parking 20 minutes walk away from his half marathon start line.

We risked it, found it and it’s perfect.

Once settled we cooked mushroom omelettes and sausages.

It was lovely to see Manisa in the daylight- minus the bling and ignoring the manic driving, it’s great.

The parking space is near the bridge over the railway tracks, by some flats.

John is always happy to get his race pack, I guess it makes it all feel real. I like to see what goodies are in there. The usual healthy snacks, a Vestel red t shirt and a cute little bottle of olive oil.

Time to explore Manisa. I was in my element, lots of nooks and crannies, green spaces, so many jewellers shops and lots of places where people of all ages just sit and watch the world go by.

There’s also a more modern area, with all the usual chain restaurants and clothes shops, coffee shops, patisseries etc.

It was no wonder it was so hard to navigate around the tiny streets last night.

It was a good job we didn’t wait in case any cars moved as they’re still parked 2 abreast and on the corners.

There has been a lot of awful stories about street animals being culled recently. . They’re well loved here, loving and friendly and very well fed.

We stopped for cake and tea.

Huge slabs of carrot & walnut cake.

I could potentially spend hours wandering around Manisa town, but was mindful of Johns feet running 21km tomorrow.

We put our table and chairs at the back of the van and played rummicub until the sun started to go down. It’s the time of year when it feels like someone flicks a switch and you’re in the fridge.

Early to bed, early to rise. Tomorrow is Johns big day.