We flew out from Manchester airport, on Easter Saturday with MyTravel - word of warning... they were really strict on the weight and werent allowing 2 suitcases as 1 weight (i.e. 1 suitcase 16 kilos, 1 suitcase 14 kilos...families were having to unpack to distrubute the weight evenly!) We boarded the plane in a snow blizzard, which seemed strange!
We had our sunday brunch on the beach on the first day in glorious sunshire at The Golden Spoon,
which was the most amazing spread you've ever seen! As much as you wanted, including tea/coffee/juices for 15 YTL. Well recommended. It was packed out, we were the only English there.Nextdoor to the Golden Spoon, Ali's restaurant, now known as 'CJ's Sofra' run by Charlie, Jonsil and Aydin. (Aydin from The Sultan). It was like a bombsite, the lads were working really hard and have ripped it apart, to improve it. They're in the process of building a bar and have changed the layout. We popped into see them most days. We wish them all the luck in the world because they deserve it. They will be opening in May and are going to stay open all year round. Give them a try
All the restaurants have a glass-like-conservatory built on the front, for the Winter months. And CJ's Sofra are going to build one on too. The First Stop are in the process of having them fitted as I type this...
Bitez is VERY popular with the Turkish people for days/evenings out/brunch during the Winter months.
We had lovely meals in The Sultan and New Seasons. Daniel the Hassler from New Seasons has left, and has gone to work at the Makumba Summer Gardens Hotel. And his father is going to run a Turkish restaurant behind the mosque.
Mustafa opened The Lavas the day before we left. Hes a thoroughly nice bloke, he gave us a lift to Turgetreis on Saturday and his prices are very reasonable. Hes going to open this Winter.
The rest of the week it rained and flooded in places especially near the Ambrosia Hotel. From the Harbour to the wooden bridge before the Golden Spoon everywhere was desserted.
Gumbet was like a ghost town. I was also told if you dont have anything nice to say, dont say anything at all. So I wont
The Saray Zetas was lovely there. Had a nice meal.A restaurant we highly recommend is 'Denizhan' on the main Konacik/Bodrum road.
When we exchanged our money at the bank in Bodrum, we got 2.55 lira to the pound. Word of warning... a large beer is 5 lira which is high considering its out of season. Lets hope they don't raise it too much during the summer months.
A big hello to Charlie and Jonsil
because we showed them this forum. It was lovely to see Bitez out of season, but cant wait till May comes... and the sunshine it out
Welcome back, thanks for your report - it made interesting reading. I now wish we were going back before September. Still, only 6 months to wait! 
I couldn't care less what they have to do. 
)
