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 vi
This 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.