Bright and early Svein altered the cabling on the electrical switchboard to enable us to save more energy. We then changed the genoa to a larger one to try and take advantage of any light winds. Caryn took her first swim of the year although the water was not that warm. We weighed anchor at 09h30 and set off for Bozburun in Turkey. After an uneventful journey and motoring all the way as we only had head or tail winds we anchored outside the harbour at 13h30.

We immediately set the dinghy in the water so that we could go and check in. We first visited the harbour master who duly called an agent. We went to the agent’s office where he filled out the details online and then back to the harbour master. Here we waited whilst all the offices were duly visited. After 90 minutes we were handed back our documents together with a transit log valid for one year and visas valid for 90 days and we parted with €115. We are now officially registered to sail in Turkish waters. We then wandered along the main street and treated ourselves to a lunch whilst answering our craving for internet and catching up on emails.

First impressions are good. The town harbour and any other available mooring is full of gullets that have wintered here and are being prepared for the new season. There are not many sailing boats and the season seems to be behind Greece. The people are very nice and helpful and it looks as though we should enjoy our visit to these waters.

Tuesday is market day in Bozburun. We needed fruit and vegetables so we duly took the dinghy into town and followed the people pulling empty trolleys. It was quite a walk to the outskirts of the town but proved to be a delight when we eventually found it. We wandered round managed to find a replacement for our 5l spray can that we use to shower after a swim. We had not succeeded in finding one in Greece. We also stocked up on fruit and vegetables that were nice and fresh. We also found a very spice stall so bought a few things there as well. We then wandered back to the town and had a refreshing drink in a local bar. We investigated the town in more detail in particular looking for ship chandlers but did not find the items we were looking for. The waiter in the bar where we had eaten the previous day kindly offered to buy us petrol for the outboard (there is no petrol station in town) so once back to the boat Svein took our can into him and we shall get the petrol tomorrow.

We are in no hurry to move on as the town is peaceful and we have Southerly winds blowing for the moment. We will wait until they blow out before moving round to Orhaniye bay to meet up with Sybaris and Charisma.

We duly went into town and collected our petrol. We also took the opportunity to have showers and swap books so that Caryn is stocked up on reading matter as she finds it impossible to read the E-book in the sun.