Dave Crann on the Lycian Way
Dave is a retired member of the British SAS and is at home with a pack on his back in the wild as he is in his home in Kaş, Turkey.
One of the trekkers on a recent tour to Turkey wrote this poem, moving and heartfelt. Many Thanks…
Ode to Dave by Helen Johnson
We booked our trip with Exodus
and travelled here by plane and bus
and here in Kaş we first met Dave –
a man who’s strong and fit and brave,
who’s taken bullets, fought in wars
(and if you ask, he’ll show the scars)
He led us up the stony tracks
and if we were good he’d lead us back.
Through forests, pines and olive groves
and places where the wild thyme blows,
he forged ahead and led the way
and pointed out the birds of prey,
the ravens circling overhead,
the funnel spider in its web,
the village where they’re interbred,
the clutching cricket with barbed claws,
the vicious dogs with foaming jaws.
He showed us where it’s best to eat,
the nicest bars, and how to cheat
the customs men, and how to say
“Thank you” in Turkish, where they prayed,
the alter where the virgins died
and tombs where servants slowly fried.
He told us tales of men and wars
and showed us prints of wild boars,
a theatre with its ghosts’ applause.
When times got hard and seas got rough,
he got the chance to show his stuff-
through towering waves he rowed his boat
and kept the drowning men afloat.
He bandaged ankles, removed stings,
saves us from beasts with teeth and wings.
Our knight in armor, kindly nurse
who never moaned and never cursed
has guided us and soothed our fears
and kept us fed and served our beers-
so thanks, “Sağol”, we all say cheers
to Dave, our very own Ray Mears.
–With love from Helen xxx
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