We have missed a week and a bit on the blog due to having 2 sets of friends on board for a week each.
Firstly we picked Mike Oliver from WYC up in Bodrum, Kerensa arrived at the pick up point the evening before and, after a night listening to boom boom music, we walked into Bodrum centre to visit the castle. We under estimated how long the walk was and how much time the castle deserved and only had an hour to wizz round, before heading back to meet Mike. It was great to see him and have him on board and we headed off the next morning to Datca in a lovely sailing breeze. A little difficulty furling the sail at the end of the day transformed into being unable to unfurl it the next morning as we headed to Ciftlik. Closer inspection revealed twisted metal supports an twisted plates holding the forestay. The furler had jammed and the powerful electric winches did the rest. We sent a few photos to the rigger who took our mast out earlier this year and he advised that we didn't use the sail due to the potential forestay damage. This wasn't ideal as (probably fortunately though) the winds were forecast to be very light for the next two weeks. The staysail is a very small substitute and meant our range and speeds were very limited.
Ciflik (Locally known as Donkey bay due to the nighttime noises....) is an 'island' joined to the mainland by a narrow strip of land which allows a choice of anchorage depending on the wind. One bay is lined with a few restaurants, there is also a beach bar where we ate and listened to a live band before getting the dinghy back to the boat.
Next stop was our favourite bay, Sig Liman, where we had a walk into Selimye for a beer and a Turkish breakfast in the morning in the restaurant garden under a 300 Yr old Olive tree. We have been here twice before and the restaurant owner greeted us with a broad smile, despite our inability to communicate in the same language! Mike enjoyed this new experience, as we always do.
The next day we sailed/motored to a Kisil Adasi, very near Bozburun where we were to drop off Mike early the next morning. This bay is close to a very shallow area which used to be a village/outpost and the rock building foundations are just inches below the surface.
Sadly Mike's last morning arrived all too soon and we dropped him off at Bozburun in time for his taxi.
The next day we welcomed Mike Hanson and Danielle, also from our home sailing club, for thier first time on a yacht. With light winds and no large genoa to use it was a gentle introduction!
First stop was back to Kisil Adasi for a swim and lunch, followed by a gentle but enjoyable sail in 10knts across the bay to Ciflik, where we went ashore for dinner and a beer at the beach bar with some live music.
Next morning we motored to Bencik which is a tree lined bay with a river entering at one end, great for kayaking. Whilst we were here the floating supermarket put in an appearance. This is a boat that visits the various bays and is kitted out like a normal supermarket inside, complete with sliding doors. The only thing they didn't stock was booze. This was followed by the coffee boat
Next stop was back across the bay to our favourite spots, Sig Liman. After Snorkeling Nigel decided to blag a go on a Seabob from the powerboat anchored nextvtonus. This is an electric 'toy' that can pull you on or below the surface to 30m deep at speed. The experience left Nigel wanting more and it turned out the Powereboat had two and offered to sell one but the price of eu10k was much too spicy! Great fun though. Swimming back to Kerensa Nigel picked up a beer can from the seabed to put in Kerensas bin, as it was put on deck out popped an octopus! About the size of Nigels hand, he sat for a while then moved to the swim ladder and then off, none the worse from the experience.
Once again we walked to Selimye for the evening and followed that by a Turkish Breakfast the next morning. We are well known in there now!
After 2 nights in Sig Liman we headed off to Dirsek, the scene of our harrowing stern too mooring in winds a couple of weeks ago. This time it was flat calm, but busy. We found a slot between a yacht and a Gullet and had a quiet time Snorkeling and removed the genoa ready for the furler repairs.
The next night was Mke and Danielles last with us, plus it was our celebration of 1yr as liveaboards, so we headed for the Octopus restaurant in Sogut. The restaurant has a jetty with electricity and water, all free if you eat there. We had a great meal and night there (Thanks again Mike and Danielle) and headed off early next morning to Bozburun and Mike and Danielles taxi.
We had lunch at the ever welcoming Osmans restaurant before it was time to say our goodbyes. Kerensa feels quiet after almost two weeks of visitors, thanks for coming all of you, it was great to have you aboard.
Next is a trip back to Marmaris to get our furler replaced.
