Tuesday 14^th June – Saraylar (Marmara Adasi) – Silivri (Back into Europe)

41:04.335N 28:14.471E

This morning we were up and off early again; this time we headed to the north coast of the Sea of Marmara and back into Europe.  We headed up towards the busy shipping lanes to and from Istanbul and then altered course to cut across them as quickly as possible. 

Whilst having a fair passage in the early morning, as we approached Silivri, we could see thunder clouds building ahead and we could see lightning flashes over the land; we used the radar to track the thunder clouds as they crossed from the land out over the sea.  We altered course to go around a large cloud ahead but then it started diminishing as it came across the water – good news for us as we could get back on course.

As we arrived at Silivri, a thunder storm was venting its anger over the land; we decided to get a move on and headed straight into the fishing harbour.  A large dark cloud was passing close by and we were right on the edge; it started spitting with rain and getting dark.  For the first time in a very long time, we got out the wet weather gear in preparation for a deluge.  I donned my jacket as we put out fenders and warps but fortunately the rain held off.

The harbour was full of very large fishing boats laid up for the summer but the fishermen were very friendly and pointed to a place on the central pier where we could go alongside.  We approached and were fine but nevertheless one of the guys hopped off his fishing boat and came to catch our lines.

We had just settled and reset the cockpit enclosure when it started raining.  The thunderstorm continued raging over the land all around and we watched the lightning fork down in the distance.  At times, with the storm either side, the thunder sounded like it was in stereo.  We had lunch and then settled down for a siesta whilst it continued raining all afternoon. 

Later, when the rain eased and the sun came out we went ashore and had a walk around the harbour.  We found a number of fish stalls along the quay side, so it’s fresh fish for dinner.  We like it here and would certainly come back on our way past.

Silivri

© Pyxis 2011