September
08 Sunday

At home watching the clouds roll in and the temperature has dropped in the last few days by about 8º so a return to Turkey on Wednesday 11 now seems like a good idea.  We are going for exactly four weeks this time and really have no plans other than perhaps to return as far east as a place called Kemer.  We have had second thoughts about Northern Cyprus now as it seems just a little too close to Syria to be a comfortable, safe option.  We so enjoyed our trip in June to Kekova Roads with Matt & Hev so we are thinking we would like to go back there and have another look and Kemer is a little further on from there.  We are also hoping to catch up with our friends Geoff & Anne.  It is our turn to provide the G&Ts.

 

This time last year we were delighted to go back as the summer had been so bad, this time we have been wishing for rain here.  We also came home in June looking forward to the arrival of our second grandchild and are delighted that we now have a grandson, Henry, already now a month old. Just got to wait for him to be big enough to say 'aye aye Captain' and 'shiver me timbers'.

Twenty Two Fathom Cove to Marmaris Yat Marin

Wednesday 13 June

We moved yesterday successfully to a mooring buoy not too far away from Bula and were joined by two other sailing yachts, Aventura and Freya, with Foxy and Margaret and Brian, all friends of Geoff and Anne, had coffee and then later drinks on Bula before going to Amigos for dinner. 

Moved around the boats today with coffee on Sequel and then 6.30 p.m. drinks on Freya.  Had a lovely evening and didn't return to Sequel until nearly midnight.

Leaving our lovely spot in Twenty two fathom cove

Thursday 14 June

A return trip to Marmaris Yat Marin for the next three months.  A six hour trip on a bit of a swell and into the wind which meant I sat on the back doing nothing most of the way except feel pathetic - so glad when it was over again. Unfortunately Marmaris Yat Marin, where we have a contract, is full - absolutely bursting at the seams with more yachts than we have seen anywhere and most of them apparently not going anywhere and many of them (20%) with For Sale notices.  Initially we were put on an outside wall in very shallow water near to a car park but only for one night and despite our pessimistic view of the marinero saying he would be back in the morning to move us he was.

Outside wall near Alpha, Marmaris Yacht Marin

Friday 15 June

Safely on Juliet 23 for the next three months and visited immediately by Godze Yachting to review repairs made in the winter and to discuss varnishing doors while we are away.  By 2 p.m. the engineer had visited to inspect the port engine leak and by 3 p.m. he had changed the seal, which the Captain had believed to be the problem last October, but had been persuaded to change the water pump instead.

Saturday 16 June

Jobs to be done: outboard off dinghy and stowed away, dinghy collapsed, anchor locker washed out etc. etc. and all in 30+ degrees.

Two whole more days before we leave on Tuesday morning for Dalaman Airport to return via Istanbul to Heathrow. We plan to return in September but first we have the arrival of our second grandchild to look forward to in August. 

Sunset - Marmaris Bay

Gocek to Twenty Two Fathom Cove

Saturday 08 June

We arrived in Gocek on Thursday afternoon having had good weather and a reasonable sea all the way and back into D-Marin again for the fourth time, principally to use the wonderful laundry there but we managed a couple of hours on the beach too.  We headed out towards Skopea Limani (Gocek bay) to Twenty Two Fathom Cove and attempted to pick up a buoy using our new 'hook and grab'' boat hook.  Unfortunately the boat hook was defective and although we did manage to pick up the buoy a lot of bad language came first.  Later we collected Geoff & Anne from Bula to eat in 'Amigos' the restaurant at the head of the bay.  'Restaurant' is a word that does nothing to describe where we ate. But the food was delicious, especially the wild boar, which we were told afterwards was probably mixed with a little goat.  The business is run by a family, Dad is the main man/;chef and his wife and two daughters prepare everything else. The son drives around during the day in a pink speed boat selling bread and also cake, baclava, tomatoes, olive oil etc.  I particularly like the son as he chats me up every morning and I get an occasional gift of a large tomato, for example.  

Amigos restaurant - Twenty two fathom cove

I am slightly concerned that Greta has a requested a map - but of the restaurants we have been too rather than the area! But below is a map of the area:

Sunday 09 June

Missed the bread boat so went ashore in the dinghy and Dad provided us with fresh bread straight from the oven.  I am thinking of sending the picture of the bread oven to AGA to see whether they can make some improvements on their design. Dad is hilarious and made me laugh asking me whether my husband was angry with him. I didn't like to tell him my husband is more worried about his son chatting me up.

The Captain, Amigos and the Bread Oven

Monday 10 June

A trip back to Gocek to take back the dodgy boat hook.  We anchored in the bay this time and the Captain went ashore in the dinghy while I made sure the anchor didn't drag.  Quite what I was going to do if it did was a bit of a mystery but I was given a lesson before he left in how to start the engines and was instructed to let out more anchor chain. Fortunately it did't, unfortunately all the boat hooks in the shop were dodgy and we will have to make do with the one we have.  We motored back to a different bay. Sarsala Bay, for the rest of the day and night and I managed to use said dodgy boat hook and nab the mooring buoy first time.  Nothing, however, is that simple.  I was then sent ashore in the dinghy, bearing in mind this has only one rowlock and is NOT rowable, using the outboard engine which I am ashamed to admit I have probably never used before, after very quick instructions from the Captain, to put the shore line on a bollard amongst the rocks.  No problem getting there and the line on the bollard but then the engine cut out and I couldn't start it - and neither could I row back to Sequel which seemed like miles away.  The Captain couldn't help either other than deserting the ship and swimming, which is not one of his many skills.  After a little while a wonderfully kind gentlemen from a nearby yacht (not sure what nationality but excellent English) came to my rescue and towed me and the line back to Sequel.  I was very embarrassed and not very happy with the Captain.  All his fault for not making sure the dinghy was in order and not teaching me previously how to use an outbboard,  I have since had more lessons (?to the family - can you imagine?) and am writing an 'Idiot's guide to boating' for future reference. Later on, however, we were rewarded with the sight of a large turtle, very close to the surface of the water, swimming past the stern.

Tuesday 11 June

Had a message from Geoff & Anne that there were mooring buoys available back in Twenty Two Fathom Cove and we headed back before breakfast,  I had had a lovely swim yesterday evening but this morning the water in Sarsala Bay was looking very murky and we weren't entirely sure what it was so we returned and we have another evening meal planned at Amigos - baby goat casserole anyone?

Sequel in Twenty two fathom cove

Three dinghys going out to dinner at Amigos 

Kas to Kekova Roads

Saturday 01 June

Shopping for supplies - found a brilliant green grocer and bought loads of fruit and vegetables for 14tl (£5.00) and a great bread shop - and then a fresh orange juice sitting by the harbour before returning to the marina for an afternoon by the pool.  Since we left less than a week ago a new system has been put in place at the pool and now a charge of 25tll (not quite £10) is made, but this included food to that amount - a no brainer - lunch as well by the pool.

And then dinner out in Kas at a restaurant Matt & Heather had been to about eleven years ago - they must have been babies!?

Sunday 02 June

My birthday. Really not having any more after this one. But had a lovely day and so looked after.  Didnt lift a finger.  Breakfast provided by the Captain and the Crew made lunch and dinner.  The weather was very overcast to start with but with a very warm southerly blowing.  By early afternoon though when we set off for Kekova Roads the sky had cleared and the sun shone again.  It took about 3 hours to get there amongst small islands and spectacular scenery.  We anchored for the night at the end of a long inlet, Polemos Buku, with a few other yachts and the crew had great fun jumping off the boat to swim and we were all very excited when the Captain spotted a couple of turtles. Had loads of messages and e-cards, for which thank you, FaceTime with the Bighams and Hannah and a phone call from my sister and many smuggled on board presents, again thank you.

Polemos Buku

Monday 03 June

Beautiful morning and we set off for an almost completely landlocked bay, Ucagiz Limani (only Matthew could pronounce this despite telling us a few times how to) only 15 minutes away where we anchored again and then set off in the dinghy to investigate the small hamlet and to buy bread for lunch.

Whilst there we were persuaded to take a boat trip on a supposedly glass bottom boat, although for the life of me I couldnt see how this could be, to visit the sunken city, which was probably ancient Simena, and destroyed by two earthquakes which took place within about 200 years of each other and around 100BC. We set off at 2 p.m. and by then the wind had picked up. Initially the boat we took, on our own, seemed a little rocky but we were fine.  A slight change of plan took us to Kale Koy, a very picturesque spot, and we walked up to a castle whre we were rewarded with a view right over Kekova Roads.  On the slopes outside the castle there are numerous sarcophagi and a lonely sarcophagus still stands half submerged on the western side of the small bay.

We then set off in the boat across the bay to the main ruins of the sunken city along the side of the opposite island but the wind by now was a yachtsman gale (force 4/5) and we rolled our way over hanging on for dear life.  We were entertained intially by two of the front deck sunbeds (foam mattresses) blowing into the water and the boatman trying to rescue them by reversing up to them at least half a dozen times. There was a stage when we thought we wanted to turn back but we were committed (or perhaps should be) and then we tried hard to be enthusiastic at the remains of the sunken city.  We discovered that the 'glass bottom' consisted of a small trap door in the floor of the boat with a glass pane to see the ruins but it was hard to see anything other than a lot of disturbed water under the boat. Heather got the giggles.We were then taken to a small bay, miraculously calm, for a swim and a snorkel to see more remains but unfortunately within less than 5 minutes we were joined by two other tripper boats and the bay was full.  It was a huge relief to get back to the jetty (I use the term loosely) at Ucagiz and then amazed at the boatman's tenacity in mooring his boat. (See photo below of Captain's disbelief).

But we still had to get back on Sequel against the wind in the dinghy, about a quarter of a mile, away.  By the time we did we were wet and exhausted but in an odd sort of way had really enjoyed ourselves - particularly the part where we got back on Sequel. And then the wind died, typically, and we had a lovely calm evening on the boat.

Tuesday 04 June

Slightly worried about the forecast so set off back to Kas but had a good trip and spent the day relaxing on the boat and in the early evening the crew helped wash the salt off.

Wednesday 05 June

A last morning at the pool as departure day for the crew.  Very sad to wave them goodbye at 4.30 p.m. for their flight back to Bristol.

Thursday 06 June

An early start back to Gocek hoping to take advantage of reasonable conditions - had not been looking forward to a repeat of ten days ago - but so far so good and I might even be able to make coffee now. And while writing this spotted Mike on Skype so had a chat with Sue & Mike on Lollipop in Corsica. The Captain has also heard from Geoff and Anne so might also meet them tonight for that dinner - although slightly concerned that this is now a euphemism for more crew arriving? 

A gulet making way on our port side
N.B. very flat sea!

Wednesday 29 May

Another lovely day so the Captain set to washing off the salt, a trip to the laundry and some shopping too and an afternoon on the beach although there was an incredible swell coming in and there were waves crashing on the beach.  Later we went into the town for our evening meal - Bruce asked for a table for four which I was a little surprised by and he told me Geoff and Anne had decided to join us.  We waited for ten minutes or so and while looking for Geoff and Anne amongst the passers-by I say my son closely followed by his wife - after a double take and a few tears we had dinner with our new crew (no sign of G&A still) - a complete surprise hatched between Matthew and Heather and Bruce since we left home. And I thought they were going to Spain.  Thank goodness I had taken the bedding to the laundry after the FCP and her crew left.

Thursday 30 May

There really was a meeting set up with the cover people who arrived at midday and after their departure we returned to Deep Bay for the night.  Slightly different weather conditions this time, although still quite windy, and we picked up the mooring buoy first time. And this time I was accompanied by both the new crew to swim the line ashore - unfortunately the three of us got stung by baby jelly fish on the way which wasnt serious, a little like a nettle rash and soon went.

Naile making a template for the new front cover with the Captain watching

Checking the mooring buoy in Deep Bay,

Friday 31 May

After a bread delivery from a small local boat we set off back to Kas - again, a better journey than last Sunday but the Captain and new First Mate were slightly anxious about two Turkish warships on firing practise nearby - and there in time for a swim before dinner in town in a restaurant that we couldnt find last time.

Saturday 01 June

Rest day - shopping in town and dinner out again this evening before, hopefully, setting out for Kekova Roads tomorrow - again.

Kas to Deep Bay, Gocek

Saturday 25 May

As usual we changed our plans - first, on Friday afternoon despite a cloudy start to the day the sky cleared and the wind picked up - so much so that there appeared to be waves in the marina.  And then the Captain was undecided whether or not he wanted to watch the Champions League Cup Final - two German teams at Wembley? So another walk into Kas in the morning, another afternoon surfing a sunbed by the pool and then dinner in a restaurant at the end of our pontoon with a huge screen and we watched the Cup Final with a lovely family from Munich.  We were all delighted that Bayern Munich won and thoroughly enjoyed our evening. I hesitate to say that it was one of the best football matches I have seen played at Wembley.

Sunday 26 May

We set off early - not east, but west back to Gocek as our friends Geoff and Anne had contacted us to say they were in Deep Bay not far from Gocek and the Captain has decided, having had the teak deck repaired over last winter, that he wants to get a protective cover made and we can arrange this in Gocek.  Then maybe we will head back east ........

Leaving Kas Marina

Unfortunately although it was completely calm in the marina when we got out of the bay the sea was quite disturbed and we were heading into wind.  We had one of the worst trips we have had for a long time and by the time we got to Fethiye Bay the wind had picked up and we were heading into a force 4/5.  The trip took at least one hour longer than it should have done (8 hours in all) and it was almost impossible to move around the boat - we skipped lunch - that's how bad it was.

Our adventure continued when we finally reached Deep Bay - became quite farcical and I dont think you could make it up.  Deep Bay has mooring buoys (because of its name, obviously) but also has bollards on shore so you can take a stern line to shore.  So first with a strong wind still blowing we attempted to pick up the buoy which we managed on the second attempt - not bad - but with the port thrusters working overtime to keep us down wind of the buoy.  Then we decided that we did need to take a line to the shore as we were very close to a small sailing boat and we were slightly concerned that the buoy we had picked up had printed on it '35' and 10 tonnes' - we are 50 and 30 respectively - and as the wind was strong we thought we could end up dragging the buoy.  So - the Captain initially attempted to row to shore in the dinghy - but one of the rowlocks is missing from the dinghy - he thinks it is at home waiting to be modified - and the outboard engine was in the deep locker on deck - he tried a sort of Indian squaw manoeuvre but he just went very quickly backwards - twice he attempted this despite the fact that I had offered to swim the line ashore. It would have been hilarious if it hadnt been such a long day.  I did then strip off and at the Captain's suggestion with the line around my neck - still not sure whether he had some other idea in his mind - I started to swim ashore. Against the wind and in very deep water and a line around my neck, which didnt want to stay there and despite being told the line floated it didnt want to come with me at all, I really thought I wasnt going to make it - and when I finally did climb up the rock I thought I my heart was going to burst.  The Captain had moved the end of the line which was on the boat to the bow to make it easier and then kindly came to rescue me in the dinghy holding on to the line - I thought he was coming to check on my tying up so initially was quite indignant rather than grateful.

The story gets worse.  We got back on the boat and then the Captain tried to move the shore line back to the stern of the boat - the wind still blowing strongly - and - he dropped it! I think my reaction could probably be heard all around the bay - a Victor Meldrew 'I dont believe it' but possibly with another word inserted in it.  I had risked my life to take this line ashore and he dropped it.  So then we both got back in the dinghy and this time succeeded in our Indian paddling to rescue the line and bring it back to the boat.  We were amazingly still talking - possibly because the Captain had actually used the 'S' word - Sorry.  After all this he then decided to see if the outboard was working so we could go and have a drink with Geoff and Ann.  It didnt and at this point we gave up.

Sequel in Deep Bay
N.B. the shore line

Monday 27 May

Refreshed after a reasonable night the Captain managed to fix the outboard and we whizzed across the bay to Bula for coffee and then G&Ts before returning to Sequel to sleep off the G&Ts and later Bruce went to collect Geoff and Anne so they could join us for the evening.  I was quite pleased that I didnt have to get back in the dinghy with them much later and after a few bottles of wine.

Tuesday 28 May

A return to D-Marin in Gocek to wash the salt off Sequel - completely encrusted after Sunday's trip - some fresh water and supplies and a meeting with the cover people.

Gocek to Kas

Tuesday 21 May 

Left Gocek by 10.30 a.m. having visited D-Marin's yard across the bay to have the black tank emptied. It has a capacity of 650 litres and it was full. Not a particularly pleasant thought.

Patara beach on the way to Kalkan

We headed for Kalkan for the night which took six hours. The Captain took it quite slowly but we had a following wind (from the black tank perhaps?) and a current which helped us along quite nicely.  Kalkan was just as we remembered.  We reckoned it was ten years since we were here on holiday last.  It was quite different though being on our own boat and in the harbour, which is notorious for boats getting their anchors crossed.  The harbour is full with gulets, fishing boats and visiting yachts. We enjoyed another meal out - I am slightly embarrassed to say that in 17 days we have only eaten twice on the boat - and amazingly a peaceful night.

Sequel in Kalkan

Wednesday 22 May

We had decided to stay only the one night for old times sake but to do a little shopping before leaving.  The Captain was a little wary of the gulets leaving on their day trips so we waited a while and we were very pleased we did.  A large gulet moored opposite us, and which the Captain had his eye on, started to take up its anchor only to find it had picked up another boat's anchor.  Great confusion ensued - fortunately it was not our anchor - but then having removed that anchor it proceeded towards us as it's anchor was set right up against the harbour wall just by Sequel.  We ended up fending off a gulet - not something we have done before and hopefully wont be doing too many times again.  No damage was done, much to our relief, and we left Kalkan a little later before any more incidents occurred for Kas.

Crossed anchors

Kas Marina is a new marina, maybe two years old, and is excellent.  Partly because it is only about half full - they are desperately trying to attract business and are offering an eighteen month's contract for the price of a year at the moment. So we are on a pontoon with only four other boats, only one of which is occupied and an amazing view.  There is also a huge swimming pool and a small beach.

Early evening - view from Sequel - Kas Marina

Thursday 23 May

A walk into Kas to buy some linen from a shop we spotted last night - I could happily have bought loads more but a little restricted by baggage allowance - and an afternoon by the pool.  The days just drift past and we wonder where they have gone.  

Kas marina looking towards the town

Friday 24 May

Market day in Kas. Bought apples, peaches, tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines, strawberries, potatoes, onions, mint, lettuce for less than £10 - not quite sure when we are going to eat it all - but great fun. A little overcast today and a bit cooler - we don't mind - but the sky is beginning to clear now and it is time to eat lunch again and another afternoon at the pool.  Off to Kekova Roads east of here tomorrow and a night at anchor.