Posted by Bryden on May 27th, 2010 |
1 commentI’m sure you were all glad to hear that the volcano is (temporarily) dormant! Lets hope
it stays that way, until at least the end of the summer!
What we were doing!
The BBQ is now complete. It was late though, so we only got the one chance to use it
ourselves. The rib-eye steak and vegetable skewers were great!
It’s pretty big, has an area for plates etc, a swivel light for night use and has 2 grills.
The lower to cook on and the higher one for keeping food warm.
We have left BBQ utensils and a BBQ grill cleaning utensil too.
The 4th downstairs bedroom is now open and furnished! We had trouble getting a bed,
so decided (as the room is not often used) to use a sofa/day bed. This allows it to be
used as a quiet seating area for guests. As it’s the smallest room too, it’s instantly cool
as soon as the air con goes on.
The sofa-bed can then be used as a single bed and, if you need it, extended into a
double. The double bed just leaves room to walk around the bed, with a bit more
floorspace by the wardrobe, and is then a box room essentially.
The seat of the sofa-bed is good quality and feels just like a fairly firm mattress.
There are pictures of the new BBQ and the 3 room set up options for the 4th bedroom
on the web site, or at this link: http://www.dalyanholidayvillas.co.uk/villa_louise_gallery.htm
In the garden; a dead plant was replaced with a pomegranate tree. The back wall has
been lined with young shrub plants, to eventually provide a tall shrubbery at the back
of the house. Four new plants were planted by the BBQ, to provide an attractive backdrop.
These were chosen to provide height to the garden, as this area has no view and doesn’t
affect the sun in the garden.
We have installed 2 smoke alarms, which are rarely found in Dalyan. We brought them
over with us, and they’re the type used by the fire brigade. Once installed they are tamper
proof and have a 10 year life.
The inside has been painted and generally spring cleaned and spruced up, with a few
(too dull to mention) running repairs and maintenance.
We’ve added a full size Scrabble this year together with some more books, DVD’s etc.
We now have a collection of around 35 books, 65 DVD’s and 20-ish CD’s.
We have added a few new bits and pieces to the villa:
- In the family bathroom, there is now a shelving unit, bench and wooden towel rail
- We have replaced all the sun/water-damaged lounger cushions with, more practical, waterproof cushions
- We were told that larger numbers of guests could do with more table space on the terrace, so we have added another table
- There is a new floor lamp in the living area for more ambient lighting
- There is now a guest book for everyone to write their comments in.
- New lights on the outside wall….these were the lights we originally wanted, but wereunavailable when needed. As 2 lights had failed beyond repair, we decided to just replace them all.
What we weren’t able to do
The BBQ and 4th bedroom were the priority so it was just a couple of little things we couldn’t
quite complete in time.
The most annoying- the kitchen unit handles! When new, they looked the part but have
tarnished very quickly. We were in every hardware shop in Dalyan and couldn’t get
replacements the same size. The only option is for us to buy them in the UK and bring them
back with us. Hence the reason there are a couple missing!! We have them to compare sizes.
Mirrors were meant to be hung in the twin and 4th bedroom but for one reason or another, this
just didn’t happen (we’re taking our own drill over next time!) There are table mirrors in these
rooms though, with larger mirrors in the bathrooms and a full length mirror in the hallway.
The perimeter walls could do with a lick of paint – but we didn’t know this until we arrived and
just couldn’t get it quoted for and done in time.
Holiday Tip
We (well, Louise) discovered something by a eureka moment this time in Dalyan. This tip only
applies to those who wear nail varnish!
Thinking it was the heat that melted her nail varnish, she was taking off and re-applying nail
varnish almost daily! Then discovered that liberally spraying deet spray over the feet and ankles
was actually the culprit. By applying with hands (more carefully), it stopped straight away. The
melted nail varnish is a nightmare, as it remains sticky, staining shoes, clothes, linen etc. Don’t
know if anyone else has ever had this and it may be the particular deet we use (Boots own brand).
Dalaman Airport
We just found out while we were in Dalyan that, from 1st January 2010, Dalaman airport has
applied the 100ml liquid rule.
This means no more taking water through and, just as in the UK, keeping any liquid items in
a small plastic bag.
You may do what we do; buy bottles of spirits on a deal in Duty free and bring a bottle home
with us. No more! (unless you pack them in the hold baggage)
The procedure at the airport has changed a little. As you come in, all your bags – and you – are
scanned. You can keep your water/liquids at this point. You then check-in and at passport control,
you are scanned again. This is the point you show the plastic bag with liquids/gels etc separately
and all water/liquids over 100ml must be binned at this point. This additional scan means you’re
no longer scanned at the departure gate.
Link below is to the rules on this, from the Dalaman airport web site.
http://www.atmairport.aero/Dalaman_en/yolcu_hizmetleri_sivimaddeler.php
The airport has a whole area of extra seating now, some of it even comfy sofas and easy chairs!
You can now follow Villa Louise on Facebook;
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Villa-Louise-Dalyan/113308568704473
For those of you staying at the villa this year, we hope you have a fantastic time, and look forward
to hearing of any feedback you may have.
At the end of the season, we would hope to send out a small survey (just a handful of questions)
to those that have visited. In particular, those in larger groups. We have only stayed at the villa in
a group of 4 at the most and would be interested to hear of how the villa is used by you, and if
anything is lacking in that regard. This year we added the extra terrace table due to that kind of
feedback, and it is always helpful.
We are mostly booked up for this season now, but currently have a couple of great last minute
deals on pockets of availability. We’ve seen some great last minute flight deals. So please do
get in touch if anyone fancies a break at the villa this year.
Bryden & Louise
http://dalyanholidayvillas.co.uk
