Autumn - a time of change

Instead of settling down in Finike for the winter, we are preparing to pack up the boat and leave Turkey for Devon. We’ve just back from our last swim when we fed limpets to an octopus that’s taken up residence in a rock crevice on the seaward side of the harbour wall. He extends a sinuous tentacle and delicately scoops up the limpet before whipping it back into his lair. Yesterday we spotted an extraordinary sea slug that must have been designed by Zandra Rhodes. It had a white frilled skirt with yellow polka dots and purple tassels.

It’s a wrench to leave.  We’ll miss the camaraderie of the other cruisers in Finike, the sunshine and the new season’s oranges, but we’re returning home to spend some time with Cathy’s parents who are getting increasingly frail.

We’ve rented a tiny holiday cottage on Dartmoor until the end of the year. If any of you are passing through, do get in touch. We’d love to see you.

Since we’ll be in the UK, we’re signing off the blog until next spring when we hope you’ll join us again.

Byeeeeee!

Post visitor stress disorder

Just the two of us again

We’re definitely suffering a serious case of PVSD from three sets of visitors in quick succession. We love having visitors onboard and we’re sorry to see them go, but we heave a big sigh of relief to have the boat to ourselves again.

Symptoms

• High blood pressure
• Short temper, especially with one’s partner

Remedy

• Large shot of Gordon’s
• Lots of TLC

Oh, and just when we thought we were getting over it, our good friend Jane and three of her yoga group who are staying in Adrasan came over to have lunch onboard. Actually it was just what the doctor ordered – enjoying the company of friends without actually having to take the boat out for a sail! 

The art of having guests – a tale of pirates and gales

First it was Loreen and Allan, who came out for a three day flying visit to see if they liked Turkey enough to bring their own boat down here.  As if there’s any debate on the issue!  If they manage to get their act together, we may see them and their Cheoy Lee ketch next season.

Next to come were Marion and Brian, our friends from Bovey. As experienced guests onboard they’re always welcome, although we tend not to share their enthusiasm for packing in a lot of sightseeing.  We made a round trip to Kas taking in Kekova and the Greek island of Kastellorizo on the way.

Kastellorizo harbour

The Greek and Turkish authorities appear to cast a blind eye to yachts going to Kastellorizo. We just hoisted a Greek courtesy flag and no-one challenged us for our papers.

Brian and Marion are always jinxed by a lack of wind – we had flat calm all week apart from one afternoon when we managed a short sail.  Marion fared very well getting on and off the boat despite a badly sprained ankle which forced her to use crutches ashore.

Then we had a manic two nights when our next visitors, Cathy’s sister Fiona and her cousin Meg arrived while Marion and Brian were still onboard.  Everyone was very good-natured about the crush and we squeezed them all in somehow.

Tight-pack guests in Finike

 

The wind returned immediately Marion and Brian left. A spectacular light show at anchorage in Gokkaya followed by 35 knot gusts kept Leighton on anchor watch most of the first night.

Quiet night on anchor?

Calm next morning

Meg fishing; Fiona on helm

A gentle downwind breeze - that'll do nicely

Three more days of brisk breeze kept us in the sheltered waters of Kekova, where the girls could relax, snorkel and soak up the sun. 

At anchor at Polemos Buku

Post prandial zizz

Serious game of Rummikub

Good snorkelling over the underwater ruins at Aperlae

Taking a breather below a Lycian sarcophagus

Sadly someone got into the boat through an open hatch while we were eating out in Ucagiz one evening.  Some cash and small items of jewellery were taken, luckily nothing else. The theft came as a shock as till now we’ve found Turks to be unfailingly honest. Or perhaps we shouldn't assume the culprit was Turkish? It’s the first time it’s happened in six years afloat. We refused to let it spoil the holiday, and to put the incident behind us we climbed to the top of Simena castle for a fantastic view of Kekova roads the next day.

Gulets anchored below Simena castle

A stiff easterly breeze made the journey back to Finike slow and uncomfortable. Going to windward well heeled over is not our idea of fun. But at least the sunshine held out. The day the family left the weather broke.

Dinner at Hassan's, Ucagiz

A herd of goats joins us in Yasemin bay

Come again next year - we loved having you!