The landscape on the way from Gerede to Samsun changes after Merzifon from low bush-covered hills to much higher hills and tall needle-type poplars began to appear in the valley bottoms. We also noted man-made ponds full of water. These are apparently paddy fields for the cultivation of Irishmen. Or perhaps rice.
Samsun is a large industrial town and the road went round it with numerous stops for traffic lights. From Samsun the road continues east through a number of boring unremarkable towns with multi story apartments, The scenery eventually becomes much more attractive with wide bays separated by mountain spurs which come right down to the sea, and the townscape appears to be holiday apartments and villas. We got lost in Trabzon because my phone doesn’t work on the van’s vw satnav and Jennifer had used up all her data. A friendly cafe owner installed wifi on Jennifer’s phone and we found the way to Gumushane where another splendid Turkish meal was had. The restaurant owners let us park the van on their forecourt.