Captains Log
Star date 11 May 2010
36.46N 28.07E
Marti marina
 
Good morning from Orhaniye one of the most beautiful settings for a marina on the Turkish coast.
I know its been some days since I have updated but we have been busy enjoying ourselves, seriously though, I usually pound the keyboard during passage but we have had a couple of rough days and yesterday was a wonderful sailing day that I didn’t want to miss being below.
It was with much regret we said goodbye to Çağlar and Kusadasi marina, if anybody knows anything about throwing a party he does.
The start of the season party is always combined with the EMYR visit here and this year was no exception.
Most people had visited the nearby Ephesus during the day enjoying what is one of Turkeys  major archeologically sites so after a quick shower and brush up it was time to party remember the rally motto ‘Sleep is not compulsory’
We did the normal presentations but this year a new sailing club was been formed in the marina they welcomed the rally and hoped that in the future some of their members may sail as part of the fleet.
Çağlar was to join one of the boats ‘Arwen of Bosham’ and despite my reservations that he would make the early start after partying so hard he proved my misgivings incorrect and was on time.
The weather unfortunately was fairly benign and though the more keen sailors managed by tacking and chasing wind to sail at least some of the way, it was just a gentle motor in flat seas down to Didim. It was only to the last mile or so that we saw any real wind, for us that was too late in the day.
We had called in at Didim on our way North so had met Murat the manager but were presently surprised to see Umut an old friend from Marti that 5 has recently joined the staff.
The marina had organised a visit to two of the nearby archolgical sites of the area ‘The temple of Apollo and the ancient city of Miletus. These were new to us and I was very very impressed with the size and quantity of the columns in the temple. This was an important site in ancient Greece rivalling Delphi as a site for the oracle.
We also took the opportunity on the return to visit the local market, very good selection and excellent quality of produce was on sale as befitted the mainly surrounding agricultural area.
That night the marina organised an outstanding cocktail party for us the table decorations and ice sculptures were magnificent.
Rod Heikel of pilot book fame was in the marina at the time and most of the crew took the opportunity to have a chat with him.
Didim is only in its infancy at the moment but I am sure that in a short space of time it will fill up and be a great asset to cruising on this part of the coast.
The passage between Didim and Marti is a very long one and this year we decided to make it a two day one boats having the opportunity to either go as a group or free anchor.
We had decided to make Palamut a suggested overnight stop but later in the day on advice from the harbour master at Datca changed it to there.
The mayor very kindly offered us free mooring for the night, it has been a few years since I was last on the town quay here and how it has changed in that time.
They have installed good mooring rings and also electric and water at regular intervals. Despite this none of the charm has been compromised in this beautiful harbour.
Two of the bother boats stopped at Kinidos and Ednbal left much later and managed to sail most of the way as the expected westerly materialised.
There are enough night passages to do on the rally later and of course you miss seeing some of the spectacular costal scenery.
Yesterday dawned fair with a crisp North Westerly blowing, it looked like being one of those magical days that are often promised but seldom achieved. This time we were not to be disappointed the wind blew in varying strengths between 11 and 25 knts but mostly a steady 15, just on the stern quarter, engine off, sun in our faces, calm sea and eating up the sea miles steadily. Thank you Neptune I know that glass of wine I poured into the sea the other night would be repaid.
Our entry into the marina was a little testing as the wind increased somewhat for a couple of hours but by 7’clock it was virtually flat calm.
One skipper, we are not mentioning any names  took an involuntary dip, you need to let go of the line when you throw it …
Waking up here really is very special you can here just the birds singing and the smell of the pine trees.
Today we are off to the fleshpots of Marmaris were can be obtained lots of shiny things for the boat, and I suppose lots of shiny things for the crew.
We look forward to meeting up with some old friends there so I need to get this off soon and make tracks.
 
Dave Kath Kim and Tilly (the Cat)