Svein is continuing to help Per on Sybaris so they both went into Marmaris to get some parts made. Caryn stayed on boat and tidied up and went for several swims during the day as the temperature is rising. The boys got back late from town and we then took the dinghy into the marina for a hot shower.

The next day it was the turn of the girls to spend the day in Marmaris. Elly got lots of things repaired and Caryn bought Svein’s belated birthday present. She also managed to find the shoes for Aphrodite’s son who takes a size 48 at 16!Svein and Per worked on the propellers all day and he came back late to the boat. Sybaris came for drinks on board.

Svein continued working on Sybaris and they came for a curry on board. Caryn swam from the boat. There was some rain

Svein finished on Sybaris and during his absence there was a visit from the coastguards telling us to re anchor as we were too close to the marina. We moved back to Kadir jetty at the head of the bay.

Svein reinforced the headrests on the seats and the passerelle fixture. There was more rain and lots of boats at anchor.

Plenty of thunderstorms and rain. We walked to the market in the rain and took full advantage of the truly cheap and good fruit and veg.

Again we stayed on the boat the next day as there was more

Our last day on the jetty so we filled water and then moved to anchor outside Marti so that we were not too far from the boat after we had our goodbye dinner with Sybaris. Pictures

As we were running out of some essential items for us (wine, beer, ouzo – Svein) and pork products for both of us we decided to make a quick trip over to Pedi. We left Kadir jetty at Orhaniye and sailed for 3 ¾ hours under full sails ending up  with 2 reefs in main. We then motor sailed for the last 90 minutes and anchored in Pedi bay with 16 other boats.

The next day we tried to get to Symi by bus but after a long wait and some enquiries we found out that the bus had engine trouble so we took the boat round and anchored outside the harbour. We did all the shopping and returned to Pedi. The round trip and shopping took us 3 hours and then we sunbathed and swam. Svein  had his first swim of the year. We also bought wine in Pedi and filled some fuel cans so we could fill up the tank before leaving for Turkey again.

We had plenty of entertainment during the afternoon as a cargo boat came to make some deliveries including livestock. The unloading process was fascinating and gave us many hours of amusement.

After a swim left Pedi to return to Orhaniye. On this occasion we were able to use the spinnaker for first time and sailed most of the way. We eventually lowered spinnaker at the entrance to Orhaniye Bay and  anchored outside marina. Svein filmed the sail and has put it out on Youtube. Pictures

We were up early gently got ready to leave. We hoisted the anchor and made our way out of the bay heading for Orhaniye. We had head winds until we were out of the bay and had rounded the head going North but we were able to open the genoa and hoist the main and mizzen. The wind did not last long so we lowered the main and continued motor sailing. We continued in this way until we entered Orhaniye bay after 3 and a half hours on the move. The first thing we saw was Sybaris still in the water. We anchored near them outside the marina. They were waiting to be lifted out so whilst they were called we saw Charisma sailing past and had a quick chat with them. They will be returning to Orhaniye in the middle of next week.

Once Sybaris was on land we went in to join them and brought them their dinghy. We visited the marina and had a cooling drink in the restaurant. The next day was very windy so we stayed on the boat but Elly and Per came to dinner on board.

We had arranged with Elly to go and visit Marmaris which is a short 30 minute bus ride from Orhaniye. We had prepared our shopping list and at 08h45 we met up and walked (up the steep hill) to the bus stop. We dolmus duly arrived and we began our journey to Marmaris taking in the scenery on the route. After the short trip we were dropped off and began our guided tour of the town. Elly is an excellent guide and we were soon checking out the shops and buying. We visited electrical shops and chandlers but also found time to explore the hardware stores and the bazaar. We took time out to eat a traditional Turkish lunch and once we had finished the food shopping finished off with a Turkish ice cream before getting the dolmus back to the marina thoroughly worn out from the day. Pictures

Svein immediately started installing the items he had bought in Marmaris. He installed the fittings for the spinnaker. He also scraped the waterline on one side of the boat as a slimy beard had started to form. As the water was a bit bumpy he decided to wait for calmer water before tackling the other side. In the afternoon we took the dinghy ashore and whilst Svein checked out the work he would help Per with Caryn went to the marina “beach” and read in the sun and swam.

Whilst Per and Svein worked on Sybaris Elly and Caryn took the dolmus into Marmaris. They got the telephones sorted out and then window shopped. The main aim of the trip was to get Elly’s hair cut. They duly found a hairdresser and whilst Elly was under the scissors Caryn had her eyebrows threaded and then continued with some waxing. Once out of the salon they then decided to have a pedicure so returned and had that done and finally whilst Elly had a manicure Caryn had her hair trimmed. All in all a few very well spent and thoroughly enjoyable.

Per and Svein’s turn to take a trip to Marmaris to find items needed for the boats. A dull day with even some rain but perfect to tidy up the boat and prepare the laundry.

Another visit to Marmaris with Elly where we played tourists. We visited the permanent market as well as the tourist bazaar and water front.

Saturday is market day in Orhaniye so we took the opportunity of visiting the jetty installations and having a coffee with Charisma. The market is small but very well stocked and at last we found some shorts for Svein that were a perfect fit so lets hope he can keep them clean and not decide to work on boats in them! Pictures

We really like this area and will shortly move from the anchorage outside the marina down to the jetty at the head of the bay.

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.

We left the harbour bright and early on 30^th April and headed for the bay of Panormittis on Symi. On the way, just by the head of the Datcha Peninsula we lost the hydraulic steering. Fortunately Svein was able to repair it fairly quickly and it was mixed journey of sailing with NE winds, under engine and motor sailing with strong tailwinds until we reached the bay. We were very surprised to see so many boats in the bay so early in the season but we found a quiet spot opposite everybody else and had our first night at anchor for months.

We woke early and despite the clouds and periodic rain had a quiet day on the boat.  Svein fixed the steering and did a few other small jobs in the cockpit. We also took some time out to

go on land although there was not much to see. This gave us the opportunity to test the outboard now fitted with “wing”. What a difference. The engine started (after its long winter hibernation) and ran smoothly and behaves even better in the water. Our investment proved to be very wise. We did witness 3 large ferries come in and disgorged their tourists despite no shops being opened. The bay is now calm again although there has been a changeover as far as the boats are concerned.

Tomorrow we shall make out way to Turkey to begin our adventures there: First stop will be Bozburun where we will check in before making our way to Orhaniye bay where we will meet up with Sybaris and perhaps Charisma. Pictures