Scouse Fitz back in town.

[ScouseFitz]

Right, before we start on this year's rambling nonsense, let me just take a minute to finish last year's blog! JT won't leave me alone if I don't, so here it is.

Well, the last 3 days were mainly based around the pool with friends we met at Club Sun Village. We've all kept in touch, they've visited us in Liverpool, and we were lucky enough to be invited to the wedding of the lovely couple in the next door apartment, down in the mysterious South of England!! I say mysterious, cos its a mystery to me how anyone can charge £5.60 for a pint!! Though it was a very nice hotel in Surrey, so I shouldn't be surprised.

Also had a great day out on the ICR boat trip, where we met a few forum members, swam in some lovely locations, and took great advantage of the , ahem, all inclusive aspect of the trip!! HIC! It was a fantastic holiday, and we looked forward to returning for another. Which brings us, quite neatly to this year....So, here we go.

Well, we dallied and dillied, dillied and dallied over dates for our hol, which led to us booking too late to get a room at CSV, but St John Of Icmeler managed to get us into Rhodes in the old village. This place absolutely lives up to its great reviews, and Tango's a great guy. The place is spotless, with great views all round of my favourite mountains, and tho we're only on day 2, we already feel like we're part of the fixtures and fittings. Looking forward to this next coupla weeks. It's quite quiet here, which I certainly don't mind, as it provides us with just the sort of peace we need. It's been a long and hard year, so it's nice to just chill for a while.

We left from Manchester on Thursday, having used the Meet And Greet Car Parking. Right in front of the terminal, and only £2.50 extra. That, combined with Easyjet's online check in, meant that we were through all the legal stuff and safely ensconced in the bar within an hr of our arrival. Never a bad thing, that! Oh, and if you wondering whatever happened to the Real Slim Shady, I'm here to report he's working as a parking attendant at Manchester Airport!!!

Good flight, lots of legroom for a 6"3' man. One slight hitch with the A/c on board meant that we nearly had an un scheduled overnight stop in Athens, but the nice man driving the plane decided that we'd be far better off putting up with the heat for the last hour, so we could get on with starting our holiday. Wise Captain. We'd booked a private transfer with ICR, and we weren't disappointed! They sent what I can only describe as a Limo!! Blacked out windows, leather couches, the whole 9 yards. Nice. It even had VIP written on the side, which I can only assume stands for Vaguely Important Ponce! Anyway, we drove at breakneck speed to Icmeler, and were immediately shown to our room. JT had recommended we ask for his fave room, up on the top floor, and one email to Tango before we left sorted that. So we've got two separate balconies, and plenty of room, tho this particular 6"3' man has managed to prang his head on the sloping ceilings a few times. Anything to keep Mrs SF and daughters amused. It's alright for them, they're barely taller than Ronnie Corbett!
The first day was mainly spent visiting friends at Moonlight and CSV, and hanging round the pool, where I forgot to put any oil on my back, so I'm burnt to a crisp! And a particularly crispy one at that! More of a Kettle Chip, I'd say. I went for a shave, cos as I said last year, I refuse to bring my shaving gear. had a wonderful shave at the Salon very near to the Three Bells (one stone, two birds!!). Now, you ladies will be familiar with something called 'threading', well Im not! at least, I wasnt! But I am now! My God! the words excruciating and agony come to mind. I have no idea what he did, I just know it hurt. A lot. He did a fantastic job, tho, and I managed to entertain some British ladies in the Salon with my reaction! Quick pint with Nial and Mehmet at the Three Bells and home to get changed. My Inlaws are at the Moonlight, so we all went for a meal at Charlie's (creatures of habit us, and as ever, my 12 year old insists on Charlie's for our first evening meal.) It was lovely. Me and Dad in law had the meatballs. Really good. Strolled home at Mother In Laws pace, full of food, Efes, and the idea that there's still a full fortnight before we have to go home. My three were exhausted, so I dumped em in the rooms, and popped round to Moonlight to watch the In Laws play bingo. Not the worlds greatest spectator sport, granted, but it's always nice to spend time with them, so I was happy to nurse an Efes in front of Bobbys massive fan for an hour. Strolled back to the Three Bells for a nightcap, then home to a good book, and a small (ish) Honey Jack Daniels. Lovely day. Lovely night.

[dksbbs]

Great start to a blog.

Dave

[shelly]

Love your blogging scouse packed with humor and personality. looking forward to the rest

[ScouseFitz]

Day 2. I think. I've no idea what day it is when I'm on holiday, and to be honest, I care even less. So this year, I'm gonna use numbers. And today is number 2. I'm told.

Managed to sleep through the call to prayer from the mosque over the road, which is, I think, designed to reach people as far as Johannesbourg and maybe even Coventry! Suffice to say, it's loud. It wakes my whole family up, but not me. Oh no. What wakes me up is the chickens. Oh yeah, chickens. Lots and lots and LOTS of bloody chickens! It's like a full on Rooster choir here in the old village come 7am! Millions of em! Cockadoodldooing like there's no tomorrow. Well, I like chickens. In fact, I'll go so far as to say, I love chickens. I like em roasted, fried, stir fried, poached, and even in a sandwich. But I swear, anymore of their raucous early morning behaviour, and I'm gonna make like Colonel Sanders and turn each and every last one of em into a Zinger burger!!! With cheese!

Anyway up and at em, full of energy for the day, I manage to make it a full 3 feet as far as the kettle, and make a brew before collapsing on the bed with a mag for an hour or two. The girls take what seems like a lifetime to get ready. For what? For a day doin precisely nothing at the pool, that's what! So why does it take so long? Who knows. It's a mystery to me, but then, I'm only a man, I didn't even know what 'threading' was til yesterday!

So we head to the pool, and I decide to go and collect the Inlaws and bring them round for some pool action. By which I mean lying round doing nothing. I pop into see my adopted son, Jimmy Asda, to find out what he thought of the gift i brought him. An Asda carrier bag packed to the hilt with Jack Daniels tshirts and promotional gubbins. When i get there, he's proudly wearing one of the shirts. He's chuffed with it, as i knew he would be when JD sent me them to give to the customers in my bar back home. He's a good muslim boy, Jimmy. Loves his bourbon!!

Any way its back to rhodes with the inlaws. We have a lovely meal. Full English for me and Mrs SF, with proper bacon. Lovely. Now after yesterday, when I decided in my foolishness to not put sun cream on my back, I think it wise to avoid the sun for a spell, to avoid going home looking like a pork scratching, so I retire to a comfy couch in the bar with a freshly squeezed orange and the iPad to start this blog. The girls bake themselves for a few hours, and then me and the youngest head off to the ICR office, armed to the teeth with Cheddar and Leerdammer for JT, to book for Aqua Dream next week. Last night, I got a text from JT, telling me to try his home brew Ginger Beer from the fridge in the office. So, in for a penny etc. Jeez! Tastes beautiful, but within a few minutes of tasting it, I see two Elaines and two Michelles spinning round in front of me! This stuff has an alcohol percentage similar to that of the interest rate on a Wonga payday loan! Lethal is the word I'm looking for! So it's off to buy some bracelets for my bracelet addicted youngster, followed by a large, black and extremely strong coffee. I call into Icmeler Ink, to ask Gamze her advice on a tattoo I'm thinking of getting, and we stroll back home, via the Three Bells obviously ( rude not to, eh?), to get ready for our evening meal.

We collect the outlaws, sorry, In laws from Moonlight, and it's off to Sidiks. Heard lots of good stuff about it, but every time we've been in the past, it's been full. Luckily, they've a table for us. What can I say, amazing food, fantastic service, good laughs, great banter, and a really good time was had by all. Nothing was too much for Eddie, Sidik, and the family. Fantastic, and no wonder it gets the reviews and good comments on here and all the other Icmeler sites/forums. A top notch evening. Boss, as we mickey mousers say.

We drop the good lady's mum and dad off, enjoy a quick G and T with Hakkan, then it's back to base to prepare for the assault of the chickens in the morning. Another lovely day. Another lovely night. Another Honey Jack. Night folks. Stay tuned for more tales from the frontline tomorrow.

[bobbysgirl]

Welcome back to blogging Scouse Fitz - so enjoyed your blogs last year and here we are with another 2 days of humour and good wit - keeping em coming!!

[ScouseFitz]

Thanks Bobbysgirl, glad you like it. Maybe this year I'll even finish it, eh?

[ScouseFitz]

Thanks Shelly and Dave too. Dave, am I right in thinking you're on the boat trip next week? The 4th? Looks like we'll be joining you. Cheers folks, off for a dip. Catch you later.

[JT]

If I dont see the last day blog on here there will be a note at the customs going home and you wont be

[jayjay1950]

he may not want to go home JT I know I wouldn't

[sylvia]

Great Blogs thanks for taking the time, looking forward to the next one enjoy your hols with your family.

[dksbbs]

Thanks Shelly and Dave too. Dave, am I right in thinking you're on the boat trip next week? The 4th? Looks like we'll be joining you. Cheers folks, off for a dip. Catch you later.

Yes on the trip on the 4th, looking forward to meeting you.

Dave

[ScouseFitz]

Jay jays right John. Not much of a threat, that. More like a promise. Thanks Sylvia. Glad you like em. It's tricky to find new things to blog about after last year, but I'll do my best. See you on the 4th Dave, when I'll get the opportunity to give you the hard sell of my bar, get you over to the Pool of Life, and to the best bar in town. Speaking of which, I'm in the three bells!! Again. Or as i put it to the mrs, just nipping out for a shave, love!!

[sunlover loch lomond]

I soooooo enjoy your blogs and you have a great way of expressing your views with humour. Thank you so much for taking time out to write them even if it is in The 3 Bells! I look forward to the next edition. Have a great holiday.

[dodge]

Thanks Scouse Fitz great reading your daily blogs we arrive on Sunday cant wait too late for the boat trip though would of love to of met u and Dave and few other forum members put faces to names well enjoy your boat trip and look forward to reading your blogs the rest of the week

Cheers Dodge

[dksbbs]

See you on the 4th Dave, when I'll get the opportunity to give you the hard sell of my bar, get you over to the Pool of Life, and to the best bar in town.

Always look for an opportunity to spend a saturday in Liverpool and partake of a few beers. Won't take much selling on your behalf.

Dave

[JT]

Ahem its the 5th day of the holiday

[dill]

Great blog. Looks like you`re having a relaxing holiday. Looking forward to meeting everyone on the boat trip on Sunday. Flying out tonight hence the post at 1.30am still things to do before we leave in the morning. See you Sunday if not before. X

[ScouseFitz]

Time for a quick catch up. Been extremely busy doing absolutely nothing the past couple of days, but as you can see, JT's already on my case, so I better crack on.

The first news is that I can categorically state that chickens can read online forums! Since my rant the other night, threatening them with a good char grilling, I have to say that they've been on their best behaviour. Not a peep out of them lately. The words obviously gone round the chicken fraternity that I'm in town, and they obviously know better than to cluck with me! (See what I did there?)

Day 3. Sunday, is my guess. Well, didn't get up to much to be honest, it was the last day of my Inlaws holiday, so after they tried to walk all of half a mile from Moonlight to Rhodes, getting lost, and ending up somewhere near Istanbul, I wandered round to fetch them and bring them back for a lazy day round the pool. Still quiet here, but that's fine, I just got stuck into my book, swam, ate, and carried out an exhausting series of quality control tests on Tango's stocks of Efes. Mum in law wants her hair doing, and I need a shave, so we head for the salon next to Wayside. She takes a seat, while I pop next door to reserve a table with Hamdi at Wayside for later on. I love the wayside, and it's always a pleasure to see Hamdi and Rachel.
Table booked, it's back to the salon for my shave, advertised at five, that's FIVE, lira. What it doesn't 'advertise' is the fact that the shave includes 'extras', now, I asked for a shave, but halfway through he decides to start giving me a massage I neither wanted nor asked for, I feel a 'sting' operation coming on, so he 'massages' my burnt and sore back with his massive hands. Those of you who know what it's like to be mauled by a Grizzly Bear will know what I mean! He even massaged my fingers! What's that about? Who goes out to have their fingers massaged? He then washed my already clean hair, and even blow dried it into some ridiculous fashion, so when I left, a full THIRTY, yes, THIRTY lira lighter, I looked like i I was wearing a hedgehog on my head! All of this was done without a single word of English being spoken. The words 'rip' and 'off' come to my mind, so I head off to lick my wounds at the Three Bells. Straight to the Gents to fix my barnet, and then plonk myself at 'my' seat for a couple of cold ones. Unbeknown to me, most of my money falls out of my pocket, together with a brand new phone card. I head back to the apartment to realise that not only was I foolish enough to let Grizzly bloody Adams sting me for a tenner, but I also lost the cash. Mrs SF was thrilled to hear of my afternoon. NOT.
Anyroad, we're hungry so it's off to the Wayside, and yet again, we weren't disappointed. But then, we never are when we eat there. A lovely final evening was had by the Inlaws, the food and service, the atmosphere and the banter were all top notch. Marvellous, and we'll be back. We drop them back off at Moonlight, and head home for what we thought was gonna be a nice quiet and respectable end to our evening. Wrong. Cos when we arrive, we find some friends from Liverpool, who we met at Club Sun Village last year, in the bar. They'd come to visit us, it was a lovely surprise. Tango mentioned the magic word, Karaoke, and we're off. The Efes flowed. And flowed. And flowed. Me and our mate Dave, erm, 'treated' the assembled throng to our 'version' of various hits. I did Elvis, and the crowd, all ten of em, went mild!
It was a great laugh, and Tango's singing has to be heard to be believed. He sang My Way, and I can assure you, he certainly did it HIS way! Hilarious.

Off to bed with a massive smile on our faces. Great day, number 3, was.

[ScouseFitz]

4th day. Monday.
Woke feeling as rough as the backside of the Bear that mauled me, so after waving mum in law and dad in law off on their coach, we hung around the pool reading and drinking water like a man possessed by a need to drink lots of water. The pool played a key part in the recovery process, as did a fantastic lunch. So, it gets to 5ish, and we need some money changing. Obviously, I volunteer for this task, so while the ladies in my party head up for a 'disco nap' before dinner, I head off for one of my strolls, to find Cafe Del Mar. I've heard the stories, I've seen the pictures, and I determine to get myself a slice of that view. I wander aimlessly through the streets, astounded, and slightly nauseous, at the sight of far too many overweight Russians in speedos I witness (put it away, Vladimir!), and eventually find myself on the pathway to Marmaris, until I finally arrive at my destination. Wow. What a great place. Beautiful views across the bay, ice cold beer, friendly staff, plenty of photo opportunities, lovely. A brilliant place. My ladies will love it. We'll be back.I have just the one, then head to the Asda to get some cash changed. Job done, and a great laugh had with Jimmy and Ali, it's back to base to change or dinner. Turns out I forgot to pack my dickie bow and dinner jacket, so I'll have to make do with a shirt and shorts. Mrs SF and I want something spicy.. Something fresh and tasty...something....Korean? Perfect. Three Bells it is. Mehmet greets us, and before I even sit down, he tells me he found my cash and phone card under my chair after I left the day before!! What a guy. More honesty in his little finger than the Demon Grizzly barber down the road. I'm absolutely made up by this, and we all smile at my foolishness. Again. So, chicken noodle soup, and Bi Bim Bap for dinner for me. Loads of chilli sauce. Just fantastic, but very filling, so a snails pace walk home is in order. I pop over to the moonlight to thank Nev, Bobby, and Hakkan for looking after my Inlaws so well during their stay, and I'm pleased to see some great mates from London who we met there a couple of years back. So it's a couple of nightcaps, and back home for a (relatively) early night. Sound. (That's 'good' in Scouse)

Now, on my walk earlier, I saw loads of people on the little electric Segues, that have appeared here this year. The younguns look like they're having a great time on them. The Dads ALL look ridiculous. They've no idea quite how daft they look. Stood up on these electric devices, buzzing round town like Evel Kneivel, reliving their youth. Or so they think. Their wives and kids must be embarrassed to say the least.

Anyway, you'll have to excuse me, I'm off to hire a Segue!

[shelly]

Sound love reading them . thankyou very much for taking the time out for us all