37.16 N 27.07E

Turkish Coast North of Bodrum

It’s been a few days since I updated my log so to those who wait in anticipation for the next instalment I do apologise.

The continuation of our journey to Ayvalik was uneventful we had little wind and engined most of the way.

Ayvalik is on the shores of a virtual inland lake reached by a dredged channel it requires precise navigation and with my reputation for running aground the crew were very watchful.

Just as we were transiting the canal a sea plane decided to use the dredged channel which has buoys at each end as a runway it cleared our mast not by a lot and landed a few hundred yards to our stern.
Interesting I thought what do the Colregs say about who has right of way would have made a good story in the yachting press though.

We really like Ayvalik it is a Turkish holiday town has a reall buzz about it and the marina is friendly and well run.
Our old friend Zafer who used to be the manager in Antalya is now at the helm and it was good to see him again.

The marina was full and has a waiting list as do most of the marina’s in Turkey I am working my good friend Ilkin from Delta marine in Kibrus along with Hasan to persuade the government of the TRNC to build new ones in Cyprus they certainly will be well used and would be a valuable sours of income to the Island.

The majority of the rally participants visited nearby Pergamon, unfortunately Kath and I couldn’t as we were wrestling with our anchor winch, which had decided to cease working in Bozcada.
The prognoses are that the winch is terminal and the boat gets another present.

We had a wonderful party with the first dancing of the season thanks again to Ayvalik marina and Seteur.

The ANZAK rally where also there and they joined us for the party we hope to see them in future years.

We left early in the morning for Cesme with the threat wind on the nose it was good that we did, we managed to sail way past Lesbos but as soon as we turned the corner to go down the Chios channel it came hard on bow and we soon where down to 4 knots with 20 to 25 knot head winds.

Cesme marina is now being developed by the Camper Nicholson group and Can Poland is the marina manager there another old friend of ours.
The marina is awaiting work on the pontoons so all the boats rafted up alongside in the corner very handy for the offices where the party was held.
We decided that Cesme was the place where we would make up our lost day so unfortunately it was only one night and away bright and early the next morning.

We left early at about 4.30am (much to the disgust of our crew, Alan, is not a morning person although it was this morning that Charlie decided that the bunk was far better than the cockpit and despite much slamming and rolling ignored it all and refused to surface till 10 am.

Again we had head winds and although some of the boats headed off attempting to tack down to Kusadasi we just plugged on down the middle the wind soon decreased till it was virtually calm and freshened just enough for the last hour to sail to the marina.

Kusadasi is another Seteur  marina and have always been very supportive of the EMYR they were like Ayvalik very full but found us berths all together on the far wall although it was a little distance to walk it was good that all the boats were together.

The main attraction of Kusadasi is that is well situated for visiting Ephesus one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
After they had departed Kath and I resumed our battle with the anchor winch 15 plus years of saltwater had resulted in it being soundly seized in place, a grinder, hacksaw and a large hammer were needed before it reluctantly decided to move.
We are now left with a large hole and the problem of finding another to fit.

Kusadasi always puts on a great party not only for the EMYR but for the marina boat owners and staff.’ We were not disappointed’ a night of wine, Raki and dancing was again participated in.
I did hear the crew of one boat saying this is really hard going I’ve been on the rally now for two stops and I am shattered. Just wait till the international legs.
Remember the rally motto ‘Sleep is not compulsory’

It was a tired crew of Mashona that greeted the dawn this morning I can assure you apart from the Captain who was bright eyed and bushy tailed as usual (I think not)

We have not had much wind this morning but are managing to get some wind so we a re motor sailing at around 6 knots.

Dave and Kath and Tilly (a cat with no fish)