9 May, Karacabey to Bandirma, 42km
Göznur Otel 70TL

It’s official. There comes a time when you simply can’t get any wetter! It was raining when we left Karacabey; it was raining when we arrived in Bandirma MANY hours and two punctures later; it is raining still. On a day like today, whether you are hot or cold is a matter of opinion – but whose opinion? Your body is heated from the inside by cycling a dozen long slow hills; your body is cooled from the outside by drizzle and wind chill. Between the inside and outside is a thin emergency-green raincoat, proof of a misnomer rather than rain proof. By the time we arrived in this small city of 143,000 citizens (plus two foreigners) we were soaked and chilled to the bone. In some masochistic way, I enjoyed it all, though I was thrilled to get off the bike. Took no photos today, but loved the sections of road edged with purple thistles, some as large as pin-cushion proteas. Comfort food was called for, so after a tepid shower, we headed for ... yes, the ubiquitous McDonalds!