Laerke went into harbour for 24r hours. We left bay heading for Kardinga Limnia. We tested the stay sail and sailed down to bay. We arrived but had to re anchor 3 times because of winds that came from all directions. We then had some amusement watching some charter boats anchoring. We enjoyed a good chicken dinner cooked on our Cobb before settling down for the night.

Both of us were up very early and we were ready to leave anchorage at -7h30 after collecting the line ashore and checking the engine oil. We had a scare on the way out of the bay with smoke coming from the engine. Svein had forgotten to put back the oil filler cap!!! We hoisted the sails and sailed all morning until we reached the new anchorage outside the beach of Eknicik. Good winds all day. We took the  dinghy ashore and chose the restaurant with the most people in front where we had a superb lunch of fresh fish – probably our best meal in Turkey so far. We spoke to “Bird” our waiter about visiting the Dalyan river and Turtle beach and he organised everything. We were to report to the restaurant the next day at 09h15. We returned to the boat to swim and rest. As we were rolling quite a bit we  put out a back anchor.  Our English neighbour did the same thing and we went over to speak to them as we were curious about their flag. They gave us the explanation. We went back to shore in the evening when Svein tried a water pipe (nargile).

Our day on the Dalyan river is covered in a separate write-up.

We returned ashore in the dinghy to say goodbye to Turcus (Bird). After storing the dinghy and bringing up the stern anchor we brought up the main anchor and motored out of the bay. Once out of the bay we raised sails and managed to sail for one hour before a wind change. After a short time with the engine the wind enabled us to hoist the spinnaker that we sailed by for several hours until we rounded Kurdoglu head taking us into the bay of Gocek. We anchored for the night in Kizilkuyruk a beautifully safe anchorage with clear water to bathe in. Crazy Dreams was anchored beside us so they came aboard and had a drink whilst we got the information on the different places to stop at further down the coast.

Crazy Dreams left for Marmaris and we decided to stay another day in the anchorage as we are in no hurry. Svein worked on the engine start system so that we can now start with the key and not just the button. He also installed a roller on the pushpit for the line ashore as it was rubbing the teak deck very badly.

We left Kizilkuyruk bay mid morning and as we were heading north we saw Sybaris. We came alongisde to say hello and then continued on our way. We went into Skopea Limani and explored some of the bays before deciding to anchor in Seagull Bay.  We spent the day on board swimming and chilling out and in the evening went ashore and had a BBQ on the beach.

The next day after breakfast took the line from ashore and stored the dinghy. We motored up to thennext bay in just under 2 hours and visited others on the way.  We anchored freely in Boyuz Buku just before lunch. A quiet bay with fresh water entering so marshland around. Impressive restaurant with jetty but unfortunately the same cannot be said of the food there. Very expensive and not good.

After a good night we left the bay early to ensure good anchorage in Gocek. We saw dolphins playing in the water. The journey took one hour and we anchored in 5 m near Skopea Marina. Pictures