Three nights of freedom

Hi from Clare, Monday 3/11

Photo 1 - Why would you have your boat in charter?
Photo 2 - The raging sea at Dirsek!
Photo 3 - Marty Marina fro a distance
Photo 4 - How peaceful is Kuyulu bay?

We only have three nights of freedom left before we reluctantly sail back to Marmaris to pack the boat up. Every day now is a bonus as most of the cruising yachts have already run for cover. However the weather has been fantastic, warm, sunny and we swim every day in 23 degree water. We have completed some of the annual maintenance jobs at anchor but there is still much to do at Yacht Marine.

On Saturday night we were in a small bay (Dirsek) with a flotilla of charter boats. They were having a great time water skiing from the lead boat using the main halyard, and having rowing races in the dinghies whilst throwing buckets of water over each other. They then went for dinner at the only restaurant in the bay. Early the next morning the restaurant was dismantled, signalling the end of the cruising season. A 'take away' restaurant here means just that - they take it away!

In the same bay we met a New Zealand couple Margaret and Roy and had morning coffee on their boat Barnstorm. Roy (a builder) had spent 18 months renovating his boat before they commenced cruising 3 years ago. A lovely 47 foot ex IOR boat, spotlessly clean and beautifully finished, we could see the care and attention that had gone into every renovating decision. Somewhat in awe of their boat, I suggested they they might like to slum it on our production boat for drinks at sunset. However when Roy got on our boat he was impressed with the finish, the headroom, the space and light on our Bavaria 39. This year in particular we have spoken to many owner's who are itching to buy a different boat. Fortunately we don't share their restlessness, we are very happy with Eye Candy.

Yesterday we spent a quiet day enjoying the sun in another perfect bay (Kuyulu) across from Marty Marina. We are milking the last out of the season and we feel sad that we only have a few days left.

This morning we moved across to Marty Marina so I could buy bread and hopefully have access to WiFi to send some photos. We phoned Denise and Col on Skype and had a good chat for about an hour. As soon as I send this, we will move out to another deserted bay to enjoy the peace.

Next time I write we will be hard at work in the marina. I will send you some working photos so can see that eventually all good things must come to an end.

love CANDY

Finding Brussel sprouts

Hi from Clare, Wednesday 29/10

Photos 1 and 2 - Views of Bozburun taken from the cockpit.
Photo 3 - Andrew trying to get better reception on WiFi to send this email.

We arrived in Datca Turkey on Saturday in time for market day. Wonderful fruit and vegetables, I didn't know I could get so excited about finding brussel sprouts, pumpkin, fresh basil, spinach and rocket. Haven't seen these for months, so we are now enjoying baked vegetables with dinner and vege soup for lunch, fantastic, what a treat.

Although it was very windy, we spent a few days in Datca tucked away in a fabulous little anchorage which was flat calm. However, outside our anchorage we could see the effect of 30 knot winds, white caps on the water and yachts struggling to go to windward. The good thing about the cruising life is that we can just stay put until the blow passes, and so that's what we did.

We sailed 25 miles across the bay to Bozburun yesterday with the wind on our port quarter. Is was a terrific sail doing up to 7 knots with only the jib out. Very pleasant but a bit chilly with the wind coming across the cockpit. We spent most the time below and popped up every so often to keep a watch.

We had been in radio contact with our English friends Bridget and Peter on their yacht White Rose and arranged to meet them at Bozburun. We spent most of yesterday together catching up with each others news since we last meet in July. Bridget and Peter have just returned from London after taking advantage of fifty pound return fair to go home and catch up with family. Pity we can't dash off back to Australia for fifty pounds, how lucky they are!

We dined on their boat last night enjoying a sausage casserole. Bridget had brought the sausages back from London, another delicacy that you just can't buy in the Med. The simple things in life, are not so simple when in foreign countries. I have often wondered when at the airport what people have in their luggage. But when in Bozburun, enjoying sausages from London, I no longer wonder - it could be anything!

We will probably move tomorrow away from the township of Bozburun into clear water. The advantage of being near a town is the availability of WiFi and bread. We can phone people on Skype and send photos with our newsletter, but the true delight is being in crystal clear water, in peace and quiet, away from the maddening crowds (and in Turkey the wailing of the Mufties calling their flock to prayer 5 times a day).

love CANDY