We left Datca in no wind, engine and watermaker on. After a couple of hours we hoisted the sails only for the wind to drop again. As we approached the headland where we visited Knidos last year the wind rose to around 10knts for a short while. We could see our friends on Dash behind us, catching up from their visit to Bozburun. Suddenly we hit strong winds and were caught with full sails in around 25knts and rising. Reefing the genoa, we continued on as the wind rose. It was very gusty off the hills and we were on a close reach, although it was only 6 miles left to our destination. We were broached twice, Dash later telling us they had seen 42knts on their instruments, and we finally dropped the main and genoa 2 nm from our anchorage and motored the rest of the way. It was a tight squeeze into the narrow bay but using stern lines we were secure and could appreciate the excellent shelter we now had. Dash arrived 30mins later, I think we were all a bit shaken from the short but intense winds.
Boat repair list is never ending
We left the next day to cross the Gulf of Gokova, another breezy sail in large waves but we arrived safely into the large and pretty bay at Cokertme, putting lines ashore. Once again our theoretically sheltered spot turned out to be broadside to the winds coming off the hills. With a rising wind forecast we stayed only one night and left after a walk ashore. A short 6nm sail back across the bay in a lovely breeze took us to English Harbour. This area is a series of inlets used by the British to hide ships in during the war, hence the name. We stayed here for a couple of days, kayaking the area on mirror still water and having beers on board either Kerensa or Dash.
Kayaking English Harbour
English harbour is also the location of the Presidential Palace and the bottom end is a no go area. Every bay also has a fire break cut into the woods, something we haven't seen before and must be to protect the palace.
After a couple of days we had to leave our friends on Dash and head off to Bodrum motoring 6hrs in no wind to pick up a friend from Whitstable. We have had such a good time with them and hopefully will see them again later in the summer/early autumn in Albania or Malta. Thanks for the memories Kristy and Steve!
