9th May 2006 - Gocek to Kekova

The trip down to Goeck was probably the best sail we have had to date constant 5/6/7 everybody sailing again many flying chutes and spinnakers. 

In Goeck we are offered hospitality by Port Goeck really first class facilities and in easy walking distance from the picturesque village of Goeck. 

Berthing 53 boats(We met another 20 rally boats here) was not the easiest of tasks but with help from the marina staff and myself and Faruk calling the boats in it was completed without incident, boats were in the main patient good for the rest of the rally. Thank you to the boats who kept me and Faruk supplied with refreshments Hic Hic. 

A free day was spent repairing those little things that inevitably go wrong, mending sails, visiting the local restaurants and the most important thing buying the Boat a present. I have a theory a boat is like a mistress it needs treating regularly buy it a present and it’s happy. 

Some of the rally got together to visit Dalyan the mud baths and the Lycian tombs. The pictures of them coated in mud from head to toe will be an interesting addition to the rally photo archives. 

The evening cocktail went down well with the rally plaques being presented by Trish (Dragon Song) and Mary Helen (Boutonniere) the rally song was preformed with much gusto and another late night for some revellers. 

Goeck-Kekova. 

With thoughts of last years rally firmly in my thoughts I checked the weather very carefully (we experienced winds last year on this leg of up to 60knts. This year we were much more fortunate and in fact the opposite happened we had light winds but a very rally sea although some boats managed to sail ok. Peter and Maria from Knight of Legend told me they managed three hours we didn’t we motor sailed the whole way. 

We all arrived in the well protected anchorage safely some managing to get berths on the restaurant pontoons.

On the quay side to meet us was Umut (rally coordinator)

And Harken our representative here. 

Kekova is a wonderfully protected anchorage and the village is unspoilt being protected by planning controls I hope it stays that way.

Harken Umut and Kath prepared the cocktail and we all met in the square to partake.

I now know why Umut is known as the terminator he a had a great idea that we use a propped up fishing boat for a rostrum to present the rally plaques on getting on to it the prop gave way causing the boat to fall on its side in doing so nearly wrote off me, Margarita (Strella Encore) and Harken, at the same time Patch Mark and Barbara’s dog (Suna) spotted a cat and took off in hot pursuit, of course this whole incident caused much amusement to all no damage caused and everybody had a good laugh. 

We presented the plaque sang the rally song and everybody dispersed to the different restaurants for dinner. 

This morning was the chance to have a long doze before the short passage to Finike; we have a short trip to the castle by boat and then a free departure.

This is the first port that we have staggered the arrivals with 54 boats now to berth it is necessary and it will be good practice for the remainder of the rally.

I’ve left early to assist in Finike.

It’s a beautiful morning here the first time we have set off in shorts and t shirt (summer has arrived) 

Dave and Kath

S/Y Mashona (Umut what did you put in that cocktail?)