Guest in Turkey

There are some idyllic ancorages in Turkish waters near to Symi and we anchored in some whilst killing time till we could check in. The Turks have a visa rule which at this time is 90 days in every 180 unless you take out residency, which you can with a yachts transit log but it all costs! We knew we needed to be in Turkish waters until the 10th September (Jane & Marks hols) and so worked back to when to check in. Anchoring in the Hisaronu Korfezi, mainly Orhaniye allowed us to catch up with friends we hadn't seen in sometime, Cloud 9, Advocator and Fandangle. Some drinking and the odd late night passed easily but we may have to stop off in Symi to restock - again!!
Ian and Yvonne (previous Nicola Jane owners) were on their annual Sunsail flotilla holiday and again our paths would cross and Crazydream would choose to moor next to sunsail boats again. It was great to catch up with Ian and Yvonne and as their route took them to Symi we put a order in for more supplies (beer & wine) and organised a rendezvous later in their route to pick it up. We were returning to Orhaniye to pick Jonathan up, our first guest this year.

Hot P&G walking from Wall Bay to Ruin Bay

After settling onto the boat and a good nights sleep after travelling, we set off for a weeks sailing and mooring on restaurant pontoons. Jonathan said this was what he'd like to do and who were we to argue! Most days we got some sailing in but definately everyday there was much drinking and partaking of food. We met up with Rassy Lady for a night on her return from the Gocek area and the important rendezvous with Ian and Yvonne for the exchange of "supplies" and another night with Sunsail.
After a sail in uncomfortable seas we finally made Skopea Liman, the Gocek bay area where the sea is flat but there is wind and numerous bays to anchor or in most cases pick up a buoy. The bays are so deep that you are grateful of the buoys as you don't have enough anchor chain to feel happy relying on your anchor. So far we have managed to find free buoys - hopefully this will continue into the July and August months.
Our last night with Jonathan saw us in Boynoz Buku on a rickety pontoon with a shady wooded restaurant ashore. Their special that night was lamb casserole which was delicious unfortunately the wasps thought so too. The Turks have a great wasp deterrent - burning coffee powder, apparently they don't like it and if you don't like the smell you have to wait till dark to eat when the wasps have gone to bed! As we left the next day we were a little embarrassed as the waiter chased after us in his rib saying we hadn't paid. We all thought Jonathan had when he'd got his Raki (a local drink) at the bar but after further thought, Jonathan was sure his card come out of his wallet but he hadn't entered any numbers into a machine. The waiter was very understanding and said that Raki did this often!!

Iskele Pontoon - Orhaniye

Into Gocek town for some souvenir shopping for Jonathan, supplies and cleaning for Crazydream. The boys were going for a shave and hair cut, a first by anyone else for Jonathan (a shave that is). Both came out squeeky clean and feeling 10 years younger - for a while!
A great week but now we were ready for a rest, oh dear no such thing, Vonasi (Chris and Claire) were in the area and we had essential supplies to give to them (we managed to hide it away and not use it ourselves) and we wanted to catch up on their travels since we'd last seen them. We also only had 5 days till Kathryn joined us for her hols.
Having picked up Kathryn we headed off to explore some more of the Gocek bays and to see how busy the area was. Thankfully Kathryn didn't think that the 34-35'C temperature was too bad but she was always willing to swim the lines ashore or take them off. Even the sea temp was up to 30-31'C. We're starting to think its too hot for us here and its not even August. Cooler area needed next year!!

Kalekoy

Despite the heat we did some tourist bits with Kathryn, Gemiler Island, an old Byzantine settlement and Kayakoy the abandoned Greek village from 1923 after the exchange of populations between Greece and Turkey. Its the setting for Louis de Berniere's novel "Birds without Wings" which describes the events leading up to the population exchange and the birth of modern Turkey under Ataturk, a thought provoking read.

P&G at Kalekoy

We experienced our first real katabatic wind (the night time strong wind that blows off the land as it cools) with Kathryn on board, which started about 2am and continued through till 8am. Thankfully our anchor was in well, holding Crazydream with the side wind as many boats had to move as they weren't holding, even the large gulet next to us anchor was not as tight as we'd have liked with him swinging about next to us. Many people had people up on deck but not Gordon, he slept through most of it!!
Nine days Kathryn was on board and her least miles during her stays so far with less than 70nm covered but some good sailing each day. Definately no competition as to who could get the highest speed out of Crazydream but G managed 8 kts beating to windward and getting the side decks wet! Kathryn says she'll see us again next year so we haven't put her off - yet!
We now have six weeks on our own till Jane and Mark head out and we'll spend the time in this same area hopefully still finding space and we'll be meeting up with Vonasi who are in the area for a little longer. Not sure that the beer and wine supplies will last, we'll just have to pay the Turkish price for some more!!

Crazydream Sailing

Well that was our inital thoughts but after a few nights with Vonasi, bbqing and drinking, supplies took a big hit and the temperatures in Gocek seemed to get hotter - 39'C by 10.30am!We made the decision to head back toward Symi for coolness and supplies. The seas were big outside of the sheltered Skopea Liman but it was not uncomfortable and we made good progress covering the 70nm in 3 days and being rewarded with cooler air and sea temperatures. We'll stay around here until we return to Gocek to pick up Jane & Mark for their annual holiday.