36:45.18N 28:56.17E Gocek

Ariel of Hamble
Jim and Valerie SHURVELL
Wed 28 May 2014 17:19

 

Tuesday 27th May, 2014.

 

We had a good meal at the restaurant in Monastery Bay but a restless night with the wind starting to blow during the early hours so we were up early and on our way before 7.  With the strong wind outside of the bay we had the main up and hoping once we cleared the headland of Symi and the large island to the west we would have perhaps have a wind shift.  We did and as soon as possible we were able to fly the genoa and although we were not going to clear the headland off of Rhodes town we were making some distance with a good amount of wind.  Ariel was flying along and Jim was happy .

 

We saw the aeroplanes arrive and take off as we neared Rhodes island as the runway is by the water’s edge.  We tacked away near to Rhodes headland as we were not going to make it over to mainland Turkey but the further we got into the gulf the less wind we had so after 36 miles of sailing we were motor sailing much to Jim’s annoyance. 

 

Not far from Marmaris we came across 8 dolphins all playing in the water before they saw us and started to fish in pairs.  Good size dolphins all about the same size which is a good sign there are smaller fish around for them to feed on. 

 

During the afternoon we heard lots of gun fire and then spotted a couple of gun boats. We were being careful to avoid the restricted zone between Marmaris and Gocek and with the gun noise continuing we ended up counting 13 gun boats.  At one time we were in the middle of their huge circle with several other yachts all travelling along the same piece of coast.  We had the radio on but we heard nothing to ask us to change course.  They conducted their training with us in their circle.  This went on from before 2 until we were safely in Gocek bay at 8 in the evening and we could still hear guns going off.  

 

As we came around the headland into Gocek bay Jim spotted a large patch of water with fish splashing although as they were smallish it was difficult to see what they were. 

 

It took us an hour and half to get up to the head of the bay and to anchor off the marinas with the other boats but by this time it was very dark but also very deep.  We had to anchor in 20 metres of water so all the chain went out plus some rope.  It was good to turn the engine off and after doing all our tidying up jobs sit down with a gin and tonic and have a look at our new surroundings.

 

This morning when we looked out the whole scene was quite different.  Where we thought it looked like restaurants it was private houses and it was lovely to see the high mountains in the background looking very green.  As soon as a space appeared we moved in closer to the beach area in 5 metres of water knowing we were able to have more chain on the sea bed holding us safely. The last weather report we saw showed strong winds from the south on Friday and Saturday so we are eager to find a wifi to check again.  Gocek bay is very protected and we can see why Frank and Sue love the place as there are many little anchorages to investigate and change your view for the day.

 

The photographs show our view this morning.

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