I've just returned from foreign climes
Sun and sea, relaxing times
Dining out, local wine
Made from fruit grown on the vine
Mezes, yoghurt, honey and feta
Who could wish for anything better?

Lively markets, where you can barter
Drink lemon tea as a friendly starter
First you haggle then you sip
If you want to purchase for a snip
Designer copies, and hand made lace
Traditional crafts at the market place

But how boringly British can I be
When I admit to missing that cup of tea
There's nothing quite like it to quench the thirst
On arrival back home, the kettle went on first.

Well.......
This is how I remembered it from my previous visits to Turkey. But! After an 8 year gap, together with other family members, I jetted off to Gumbet in Bodrum.

It was a surprise to find that Gumbet, was more English than back at home. Particularly the restaurants.
There were English breakfasts and Sunday roast lunches on offer, every where you looked.

Along side all of this, traditional Turkish dishes were still available and.......... not a smoking ban in sight!

But, for quality food, service and value they beat us hands down. The longest wait, was only the time it took to cook your meal. Crockery, glasses etc. were removed immediately when finished with, table linen was spotless and ash trays emptied frequently.
Oh! And nothing was too much trouble.

Birmingham Airport please take note, and other over-priced eateries back at home, who serve up lack lustre food, leave tables dirty and cluttered with the remains of other people's meals. And where the staff are all drop-outs from Charm School.
Maybe the management of these establishments could send their staff on holiday to Turkey to learn how it's done, and how to put the customer first.