Turkey - June/July 2011

After over nine months of sitting on the hard in Yacht Marine in Turkey Blue Moon is finally back in the water and ready to start a new season of cruising. Jimmy arrived back to Marmaris on the 14th of June to a very dusty, weather beaten boat but was surprised at how well she had fared being sat closed up for so long. This didn't mean there wasn't a lot of work to be done however, he spent the following few weeks sanding off the old bottom paint, buffing the sides of the hull, replacing old through holes and sea cocks and numerous engine refurbishments including replacing the fresh water pump, impeller and filters.

I returned three weeks later amazed at the progress Jimmy had made and after a few days of painting the hull and completing jobs that needed two pairs of hands, we slipped her back into the water. Nothing leaked and the engine started after a couple of turns...thank god! We spent the next five days tied up in the marina putting the sails and stack packs back up, getting replacement windows in the dodger and zippers replaced in the bimini, we ran a new wire up the missen mast to install an antenna for our new AIS transponder and receiver and then generally cleaned 'everything'.

After a few days anchored off Marmaris town getting our sea legs back and stocking up our food supplies from the supermarket, we upped anchor and headed north. Our next stop was the town of Bodrum on Turkey's Mid western coast where we did another Stock up with fruit and vegetables from the local market and then checked out of the country. We've loved everything about turkey from the great little cafes where you can spend all day drinking small glasses of 'Chai' (Turkish tea) while watching the world go by, to the harbours full of beautiful 'Gullets' (large wooden yachts) being expertly driven by some very skilled captains. We're sad to leave Turkey but excited to be back under way, being away from the boat has made us both appreciate what a great life cruising is...Next stop the Greek Islands!