S/Y Mashona

38o 57N 26o 34E 

Ayvalik 

We had a pleasant trip from Bozcada past Babe Kale and via the Lamna Channel to Seteur Marina Ayvalik many of the boats managing to sail for a great proportion of the passage. We have a great picture of Gildas at the wheel of La Vagabond passing the Ayvalik Islands. 

We all arrived around 1700 where we were joined by another three EMYR boats Windsong, Swagman of Hamble and Strella Encore. 

Ayvalik I consider is one of the friendliest marinas in the Mediterranean both Yucel (marina manager) and Ismail (front desk) have become great friends over the past two years. 

Ayvalik for those who don’t know it is at the head of an enclosed sea lake and is entered via a dredged channel the town is a great favourite of Turkish holiday makers.

It has many shops and bazaars and a wonderful Hamman (Turkish bath)

The streets a wonderful place just to stroll through narrow and cobbled with a great variety of architecture. 

The first night people just got together and socialised.

I am running a competition see who can make the best Gin and Tonics (I am judge committee and in sole charge) John and Sue Swagman are winning at the moment. 

Friday was our first organised trip Pergammon 24 people left the marina at nine thirty for the 50km trip. 

The city has been there since Thracian times and Alexander took it in 340BC the guide was very informative with lots of anecdotes and songs. The Acropolis is on an impressive site. Below it is Asclepion the first hospital where Galen developed the principles laid down by Hippocrates.

After lunch we visited a carpet co-operative and an onyx factory.The journey back to the marina brought back memories of previous tours, the majority of people dozing.We have found our group singer Maria from Avanta gave us a rendition of the banana boat song. 

The late afternoon saw the boys taking a trip to the Hamam Philipe from Marjo getting soaped was a site to watch. 

Barbeque and Cocktail evening rounded off the day and it was great that the Turkish Coastguard attended complete in their no 1 dress 9and very smart they looked)

Yucel gave a speech in French as well as English (no limits to that mans talents) and we had the first dancing of the rally Geoigio and Wendy starting us off with the light fantastic followed by Kath and Yucel (yours truly was Raki sampling at the time (just making sure it was up to standard) I am sure there where a few sore heads this morning.

Again thanks to Seteur Ayvalik marina for a wonderful stay. 

It’s not very pleasant out here at the moment we have practically no wind and a big swell. 

So onwards to Cesme and continue the party 

Dave and Kath S/Y Mashona (where the party starts)