The Pre-Cruise Cruise

Bob and I had signed up for the Cruising Association (CA) Lycian Coast Cruise in Company Rally.  This was to be a rally of about 40 people on 15 boats going from Göcke to Finike along the Lycian Coast of Turkey.  Bob and I were definitely the newbies of the crowd.  As we finally seemed to have all the systems on Songster in working order (fingers crossed), we figured we better get a bit more familiar with sailing the old girl before we embarrass ourselves too badly on the Rally.  So we left the marina (we were seriously in danger of becoming Pontoon Rats) on a two week pre-cruise cruise.

Eileen on deck

The dry hills of Turkey

Misty Mountains

Bob adjusting the sails

We had some great sailing around the Bozburun Pennisula and up and down the Hisarönü Gulf. We covered about 157 nm.  Days were spent sailing, motoring when no wind, learning how Songster handled, anchoring in some scenic bay, going for a swim and snorkel off the boat, exploring the shore in the dinghy, and finishing the day with sundowners watching the sun set over the mountains of Turkey.

Our track over the two week pre-cruise cruise

We met up again with our friend, Tazeena, who was still anchored off the quaint town of Bozburun.

Bozburun Harbour

We had a pre-cruise dinner with some CA members in Turgut.

First of many CA dinners

Turgut

Islet Castle Orhaniye

We returned to Bozukkale to explore the Greek castle of Lymara on the headlands.

Castle walls

Bozukkkale

We broke the curse of Ekinçek where our windlass had failed on our two previous viThis visit fortunately was totally uneventful.

Finally we motored (not a puff of wind) to beautiful Wall Bay in Göcek Gulf for the start of the rally.