We sailed into Bozburun to check out for what is possibly the last time , if our plans to cross the Atlantic come to pass. As always the welcoming smiles from the team at Osmans restaurant made us feel like we were with friends. Lynn, Osman and YahYah are well known in the Cruising community in the area. After provisioning, cleaning the boat and generally getting sorted we had a good night's sleep, followed by breakfast. Gurkan, our agent for checking in and out of Turkey sorted our paperwork and it was time to say our final goodbyes. One upside of this lifestyle is the people you meet and the friendships you make, the downside is that the time you spend with them is often short and the transient nature of livaboard life means you may never meet again, at least in the near future.
We sailed across to Symi, and found a beautiful bay on the West side of the Island for the night. We didn't go ashore but there was an enticing taverna on the beach. The early evening was lovely but the light winds changed direction putting us beam on to the swell. It turned out to be a fairly rolly night and one not to be repeated if possible!
Amanda wasn't feeling well so the next days trip was done under engine. Typical Med conditions, no wind for the first 4 hrs and then a 25knt headwind for the last hour. Nevertheless, we made it to the Western end of Kos and anchored in a huge bay sheltered from the northerly winds and in flat water. Once again we stayed on board, partly due to Amanda not being well but also because the town is a typical UK tourist spot with plenty of places to buy a roast dinner or full english with a pint of John Smiths! We had been here before on our way into Turkey last year.
A couple of days later we made the snap decision that, since we were close to a location where we could leave the boat and wouldn't be again for some weeks. we would head home for a short trip to see family, friends, children and grandchildren. We motored in no wind up to Kos town and got a berth in Mandraki marina. Once secured it was a rush to book flights and taxis, sort the boat to be left, find someone to look after her and so on. All sorted and relaxing before we headed off to the airport and a boat came in next to us, lost control and his anchor took a chunk out of our gelcoat! Always happens at the worst time. The skipper took responsibility immediately and said that he would sort it out before we returned, and has now kindly sent a photo of the repaired area. Hopefully its a good job, we will see when we get back.
On arrival in the UK we went down to see Amanda's family in Portsmouth, handily Sail GP were in town and we took the opportunity to find a view from some rocks at the side of the course. Great to watch GB perform so well at thier home event.
We return to Greece late on 30th July and will head off the next day, after reprovisioning the food situation and a few other tasks, one of which is sorting the Transit Log document. We have employed an agent to get us the correct document this time but we don't have much hope though given the irrelevant documents they are asking us to provide.
We have sons visiting mid August so will be planning where to meet them and that will determine our route onwards from Kos.