Downwind is good

Writing this blog has suddenly become a bit more challenging. The reason being that the heat seems to have compromised my little ancient Toshiba laptop. This is a real shame as it was the perfect size for use on board.  It will now only start up if it has been stored in the fridge and then only run for 20 minutes before crashing. I have been trying to use the blogger app on my phone, but this is apparently not officially supported and does not allow photos.  I am now trying to go through the blogger website via my phone, which works, but is much more tedious.
However I will persevere, I have no idea if anyone is reading my drivel but while there might be a readership, the blog goes on.
We had vaguely prearranged to meet up with an ex colleague, Hugh and wife Shan.
They are very experienced sailors having done a circumnavigation a few years ago and have kept their boat in Turkey for the last 10 years.
I got an email from Hugh saying they had arrived in Marmaris and were heading for Ekincek, a small bay and anchorage some 20 nm East of Marmaris.

Datca to Gocek  - downwind

This would be over 60 nm from Datca but looking at the forecast it should be a nice down wind sail all the way, so off we went.
Our forecast app, Windy, was right again in terms of wind direction but the strength was under-called a bit. So we ended up with a brisk passage and arrived some 9 hours later.
We anchored up in the top of the bay. The first attempt to the East end resulted in a miss anchor set due to weed, however in the NW end of the bay there was excellent holding in deep sand. The anchor pulled us up with a huge thunk...so much so that I was worried about the windlass. The Rocna anchor instructions actually say to take it easy with setting the anchor as it is more violent than others in bringing you to a halt.
We dinghied over to Hugh and Shan and lubricated our throats for a bit
Their boat is a Westerly oceanranger 38. Fully kitted out for global adventuring with a stainless steel structured the size of the Forth rail bridge, and a heavy duty self steering wind vane. It is not really designed for getting on and off the transom and I was a bit concerned my nautical reputation in this accomplished company might take a dent if I slithered from the dinghy into the briny.
A good night was had and the next day we set off SE then E along the coast towards Gocek and the gulf of Skopea Limani.

Kapi Creek

We motored for an hour and then a light Westerly came up that allowed us to ghost along downwind at about 4 knots. Summertime likes this. There was a fleet of about a dozen boats that started off several miles ahead and we slowly reeled them in as the day progressed. The wind fell off further about 10 miles out and most of the fleet motored on. Apart from one other boat who shared our dogged determination not to ruin the planet with diesel particulates.
He turned out to be a newish Bavaria 46 with a German flag. We had better boat speed, particularly going a bit up wind and overtook him quite well.  However as we neared the point of gybing into the gulf the wind picked up and we both took off. With this power and point of sail I could not catch him and he pulled away until we both gave up near our destination.  We gave each other a friendly wave, I think in acknowledgement of honours shared, though he did win!

From the hilltop

We met up with Hugh and Shan at our predetermined rendezvous at Kapi Creek. Mutual boat inspections were performed as tradition dictates, and we had a meal ashore.  We were out of our depth in the sailing anecdote stakes but really enjoyed hearing of their monumental trip. Hats off.

Lost and despondent.

The next day in the sweltering heat M and I (foolishly), with a rush of blood to the head decided to climb the hill behind us to the flagpole on top. The record is apparently 12 minutes. It took us well over an hour, we got hopelessly lost and went round the conical hill in a spiral route over very rough igneous rock. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

But worth it.

We reconvened at another of Hugh and Shan's favourite spots on Tersani Adarsi a couple of days later. We had stopped at a bay on the mainland to the N for lunch. M suddenly noticed that the sky behind us was filling with high dark clouds. It was clear that a storm was coming but seemed a way off just yet.

Horsemen of the Apocalypse

We upped the anchor and set sail. Over the next hour the wind veered 180 degrees as we tried to point to our destination, and increased to about 20knots as the storm chased us, and it was winning. As we entered the bay there were brisk gusts over the land, but we managed to make a good mooring with help from the restaurant staff ashore. We had just moored when the blast from the storm hit. There was a large swirl of dust and a crash ashore as something flew off a building. I guess it was about 40 kts or so. In retrospect Windy had warned of thunderstorms and I felt  bit chastened not to have been more aware.
We had another good night ashore though Hugh managed to empty a bit too much gin into M. It seemed to take her by surprise.