Tuesday 28^th June – Yalova – Esenköy (Katirli)

40:37.177N 28:57.251E

Last night I finally was able to sleep and awoke feeling a little better if not totally recovered; my voice has almost gone so Richard is particularly cheerful, enjoying the peace and quiet!

It was not easy dragging ourselves away from the comfort of the marina but it was time to go.  So, we topped up on water, popped into town for some fresh bread, settled up (ouch) and said our goodbyes.  We have really enjoyed it here and it is so well positioned with the market and town just close enough to be readily accessible but not too close to be intrusive.

We set off around noon and have started working our way west once more.  The wind was due to be variable today but mostly light, going around during the day.  Inevitably it was on the nose so we motored the short way to Esenköy (Katirli) about 16 miles along the coast.  However, there was also quite a bit of residual swell and unexpectedly quite a strong current against us which sapped our progress; fortunately the latter dropped away as we cleared the final headland to drop down towards Esenköy. 

As we approached, there was quite a swell running and we had to hold off deploying fenders until we were in the shelter of the harbour.  As we arrived there, we noticed a French yacht we had last seen in Poyraz at the top of the Bosphorus berthed alongside.  The skipper recognised us and immediately went ashore and caught our lines for us as we berthed alongside between two un-manned yachts.

After settling in and meeting the harbour master, we went for a walk around the harbour.  Tuesday is market day and the east quay was lined with market stalls, so we succumbed to some more fruit. 

At the end of the harbour, just a short way from us is a small balik (fish) restaurant and a couple of çay houses.  We decided to go for a couple of balik ekmek (fresh bread with a grilled mackerel filet) rather than cook.  We wandered across and ordered and the owner indicated a table but I pointed to Pyxis and he nodded.  I fetched a couple of our plates and he indicated for us to go back to the boat whilst he put the fish on the BBQ grill; a short while later he delivered the burgers to Pyxis and so we were able to sit and eat in the comfort of our cockpit whilst watching the world go by.  Great service!

On Passage

Esenköy (Katirli)

© Pyxis 2011