Saturday 11^th June – Çanakkale, Dardanelles – Avşa Adasi (Turkeli), Sea of Marmara

40:32.234N 27:30.727E

Today we were awake at first light ready to carry on our journey along the Dardanelles and out into the Sea of Marmara (Marmara Denizi).  Depending on how the weather developed and how strong the current was against us we had a few different plans on where we would head.

Although before 6am, most of the boats were up and preparing for departure – some to head east and some to head west.  Zephyr were away first heading east and we followed soon after.

We slipped our lines in little wind and with broken cloud overhead we motored out, picking up a useful back eddy to take us to the first narrows where we then started to fight our way against the current, hugging the Asiatic coast to make best headway and stay out of the busy shipping channels.

As we went along it struck both of us how reminiscent the Asiatic coast was of the Downs in England; green rolling hills, woodland and cultivated fields – with the cloudy skies adding to the effect.

We made better progress than expected and after a few hours were passing the harbour at Lapseki where we had planned to anchor overnight yesterday.  On the opposite shore was Gelibolu, formerly Gallipoli.

Ahead of us the sky was cloudy and dark, but behind us brighter weather was coming through.  As we entered the Sea of Marmara we picked up some wind and were able to sail close hauled for an hour, but apart from occasional gusts it was quite light and with the current against us we weren’t making good progress.  As the wind dropped right away we decided to motor-sail on.  We immediately found ourselves in wind again but it didn’t last long, we were just on the back edge of the weather front going ahead of us and it was pulling away from us leaving us in the calm, brighter weather behind it.

So we motored on towards the islands.  From time to time we were visited by dolphins which was unexpected and always brightens up a long journey.

Late afternoon we approached the small island of Avşa Adasi (Turkeli) and headed for the newly constructed harbour on the top corner which Arwen had recommended.  Although the breakwaters are complete, the harbour is largely unused and isolated; just a few small fishing boats.  The ferries to the island go to Turkeli itself a mile or two away so we hope it will be a quiet spot to take a break. 

Zephyr had been about a mile ahead of us throughout the day but it looked from their course like they were heading further north to Marmara Adasi, the largest island of the group.  However, as we neared the island they dropped down towards us and followed us into the harbour and are moored alongside just beyond us.

When we arrived the sun was out and so we decided to break out the Cobb for a BBQ which was very pleasant. 

This evening the cloud has rolled in again so it looks like we might have some rain on the way tomorrow.

Çanakkale, Dardanelles – Avşa Adasi (Turkeli), Sea of Marmara

© Pyxis 2011