Anchorage

Location

We set off from Datca heading the 20nm west towards the ruined city of Knidos, part of the Dorian Hexapolis.  We had hung around in Datca for 3 days hoping for the Meltemi winds to pass.  According to our local source the winds only last 3 days, we had experienced them for 4 days so he assured us we were safe.

On the final run upto Knidos we were beating into 30knot winds, not at all what we were expecting, and we were still pretty nervous after the scare we had given ourselves on the run into Datca.  So with a few miles to go I pulled in all of the sails and motored into the bay.

The bay was relatively full of boats, mostly yachts but a few gulets.  I would my way towards the head ofthe bay and dropped the anchor in 5 metres.  All was good and the drinks were poured.  The winds were still pretty intense and the boat was swinging on the anchor quite a bit.  After about an hour or so I became convinced that the anchor was slowly dragging, so I pulled it up and reset - this time with success.

I wasn't the only one having trouble with the anchor - a number of other boats were fighting the seabed trying to get a good holding.  Fortunately I had gone to the head of the bay, so all of this was happening behind us.   There were a number of nervous skippers watching those around them very carefully.

The next morning we jumped into the dingy and went to look at the ruins.  The ruins first came to western knowledge in 1812 and since then the site has been partially excavated.  City layout can clearly be seen and covers a huge site.  We spent many hours wandering the site and climbing  the hills.

In the afternoon we decided to walk to the more modern lighthouse at the tip of the Datca peninsula.

Location

We decided to anchor outside the harbour in Boz Burun as we knew we would be there for a few days.   I had noticed that the handles were becoming detached from the dingy and the glue had I purchased had a curing time of 24 hours.  So when we arrived it was the first task before the swimming and snorkelling could commence.

We were anchored at 36 41.480N 28 02.433E, if you should find yourself in the neighbourhood with diving gear then you wouldn't recover my bucket would you - it's lying in 8 metres.  I'd be eternally grateful.

Next it was time to try out our new bosuns chair.  I went up first to look at the bulb on the tricolour.  Then Erica demanded a turn 23m up the mast.

I can see the pub from here

After Miriam wanted a go, but as she was almost slipping out of the chair I decided that the first spreaders were high enough for her.

Location

The sail to Bozuk Buku was fantastic according to my notes and we managed a top speed of 8.4knts.   Bozuk Buku is a huge bay with an ancient ruined castle guarding the entrance.  We anchored right at the back of the bay and took the dingy ashore with a view to walking around to the castle.

Unfortunately the ruined castle proved to be too far in the fading sunlight, however we all (except Al) had a good rock climb to the highest peak.

On the way back we found a tortoise lying on it's back with it's little legs frantically (relatively speaking) waving in the air.

Location

Time to get back to sailing again.  Brigitte and Gerry of Octopus, a couple we had become friendly with, had left a few days before hand and after a few text messages we found out they were at Polemus Buku in Kekova Roads.

Another early start, casting off the mooring lines at 6.30am.  This is becoming a bad habit!  As normal motorsailing as the winds were too feeble to make any decent progress. 

Shortly after setting off Alyson and I decided it was a bit chilly and went below to get a sweater.  We looked at the temperature and noted that it was only 25C - we obviously have become aclimatised, something I thought would never happen in the first few days when we were actually melting.

We crossed the Bay of Antalya and anchored at 20:00 in the bay Cavus Limani where we had dinner.

At 22:00 we pulled up the anchor and commenced our first night sail.  Erica stayed up with me most of the night whilst Alyson and Miriam slept below.  At 4am Alyson came up to relieve us and I got 2 hours sleep, before waking to see the dawn at 6am.

By 8am we had arrived in Polemos Buku and anchored close to Octopus.   After a quick hello with Brigitte and Gerry, it was back to Mirica for some sleep.

Brigitte and Gerry and their website www.stuurop.ch

Location

We had heard from a number of people that the Karaloz inlet on the southern side of Geyikova island is spectacular.  So we decided to head out there to see for ourselves.

We left mid morning and managed to sail all of the way!!!!  Mind it is only about 5 miles.  As we were nearing the entrance to the cove I noted that we were being tailed by a catamaran sailing at approximately the same speed.  Near the entrance there are a few small rocky outcrops/islands.  Being ever cautious, I decided to go outside them, whereas the cat cut through the inside.  When we had cleared the outcrop the cat was suddenly upon us, the cheeky bugger must have gone to full revs whilst we were out of sight of each other.  

Well I'm not letting that swine nick the best spot, a red mist decended and we too went to full revs.  After about a minute I realised that this was all a bit silly so I let him through, perhaps, as I later found out, not the wisest of decisions I have made.

We entered the cove ancient Port Sant Stefano and it immediately reminded me of the Norwegian fjords I knew so well - naturally they are on a significantly smaller scale and not nearly as breath taking as Geiranger, but still pretty darn good.  

We pottered around to the furthest corner where I noted that the catamaran had nicked the best available spot.  The only one left for us was between some tourist gulets and the dreaded cat and sideways onto the wind.  No problem,  I dropped the anchor and Alyson swam to the shore carrying a line that we would tie onto the stern.

What's taking her so long?, I wondered to myself.  Alyson was standing knee deep on a submerged ledge looking at her feet - meanwhile I was drifting perilously close to the cat.  I looked anguishly towards Al to see is the line was tied on yet and I could winch us clear.  Nope she was still looking at her feet and trying to climb up the ledge.  There was to choice but to pull forward and reverse in again.

As I come back in Al will still struggling, with what I had no idea.  I was becoming more and more agitated(!!!) as again I started drifting onto the cat.  Suddenly a gulet kapitan jumped into a dinghy and rushed to the shore where Alyson was still struggling.  He jumped onto land, grabbed the rope and I pulled us taut and out of harms way.

Once the drama was over I saw that the kapitan was also looking at Al's feet.  She gingerly hopped into his dingy and he brought her back to Mirica.  What the **** was that all about, we nearly crashed twice?  She showed me her feet and I could see the blood flowing from them.  Concerned I looked closer and saw that they were covered with sea urchin spines.  We soaked her feet for 30 minutes or so and I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to pick them out with a needle and tweezers.  Time to invest in swim shoes methinks.

Once we had settle down it was time for the ritual swim/snorkle.  As promised the waters were exceedingly clear and a good time was had by all.