Well here we sit in a thunderstorm… so much for leaving two weeks later. The weather so far has been very varied, completely changeable and less than balmy at times.
After 41 hours of travel from Auckland (very tiring and not enough good movies to keep us occupied) we survived a near death cab ride out to Yacht Marine only to fall into a 12 hour coma in our rapunzel-like high and dry boat. The next day dawned bright and early and with a head full on snot (stinking plane cold) we started on our long list of jobs.
Mae had survived the winter in good shape although there was evidence of Iceland’s meltdown all over the deck. The next few days flew past with dingy repairs and various other modifications testing both our patience and impatience.
Turkey is in fine fettle and dare I say it a little gloating about Greece’s woes. There are, however, some interesting changes even in six months, including the price of lamb now topping a whopping 50YTL a kilo!! Best Joyce pack up all her little blighters and ship them out here to make a killing!
We finally launched on the 14th ready and able but content to have another 1/2 day in the marina for last minute tests and preparations. (Not to mention a meal out in town.) Rota (Sonya’s restaurant!) still has great food and the waiter is just as attentive! Speaking of Sonya; you are much missed in the Suzani shop (yes, I bought a white suzani!) and the owner asked after you immediately!
The 15th dawned bright and early but we were delayed by a spectacular display of the fire fighting capabilities of Turkey when the hillside caught fire above the Marina road. Trucks and firemen were there within minutes and an enormous helicopter pounded them with seawater for over an hour. The two fire fighting planes that arrived were not needed (thank goodness) but it didn’t stop them having a practice. Pity the poor men on the ground with that huge weight of water come cascading down from the heavens. Exciting stuff though!! We eventually trundled out of harbour and went for a test sail around the bay. Still the dingy to pick up so no leaving till tomorrow.
After a broken night sleep (katabatic winds whomping down on us in the night) we pottered over to Netsel to pick up the dingy. Now there is another change… 80YTL minimum charge… phew won’t be staying here again! Decide to check out Marmaris’s little Britain and have a curry (last one for a while I would say) and enjoy a night of tasty food and people watching. Bursa Super have won the soccer cup and the town is well hyped up and it could be a big night!
The dingy guy has been as good as his word and the Scooty Puff looks as good as new (a bit worrying when he says can we please not use it for a day or two but hopefully not a sign of anything untoward!)
Finally we can head off and with big smiles and emptier pockets we hit the road and headed for Ekincik. A gentle breeze soon turns into an exciting F6 and we fly down the coast into our favourite spot and long line to a tree. The water temperature hasn’t quite got up to speed and not surprisingly I do a few squeaks upon entry. Hopefully the sun will come out properly and heat it up to something starting with a twenty.
We had intended on heading down to coldwater bay but the morning is very unsettled and thunderstorms abound, so we opt for a very boisterous sail involving instant 180 degree windshifts and sudden 30 plus knot gusts and rocket into Tersane instead. Ahhh you can pretty much count on a millpond here and it doesn’t let us down. The restaurant like most Gocek bay ones now is overpriced and understated but the chicken and meatballs prove adequate to quench our hunger and we have an extremely pleasant nights sleep and a very early start to head down to Kalkan.
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