Wednesday 8^th June – Ayvalik, Turkey – Bozcaada, Turkey

39:50.151N 26:04.520E

Last night we checked the forecast and it was looking even more promising and so this morning we were up at dawn and left the marina at around 6am.  The weather was due to be calm and it was the smoothest we have seen it for a long time.  We motored in light airs 55 miles along the Turkish coast to the small island of Bozcaada, about 10 miles from the entrance to the Dardanelles.  It was a really pleasant trip with virtually nothing around us.  As we left Ayvalik, another yacht was leaving one of the anchorages ahead of us.  Once through the entrance channel, it fell in behind us and made exactly the same trip, following us all the way, just about the only other vessel we saw.

When we arrived at Bozcaada, the tailed lines that we had read should be available were not there and so we decided to come alongside and take a look as the quay was almost empty.  At this point the harbour master appeared and explained that we needed to anchor and come stern to, but, as Richard knew from his research that there was a heavy mooring chain across the bottom, he asked the chap about it.  He confirmed that it was set 40m away from the quayside and that we needed to drop beyond that.  I was really pleased that he asked, especially as the carnage of Mykonos is still in short term memory.

So, I motored forward and we dropped a long anchor chain out – we have 55m out so hopefully are well beyond the laid chain.

Just after we were tied up, it turned really busy and about six other vessels arrived – the harbour master was as surprised as we were.  So now the quay is quite busy.  We are not sure where they all arrived from.

After a short rest, we went for a walk around town and found a local produce market which had surprisingly good and reasonably priced fruit and vegetable.  The town is full of tavernas so I think the island, with its regular ferry service to the mainland, must get a lot of visitors in the summer.  Military restrictions still apply to much of the rest of the island.

We came back and ate on board and then went for another walk around the town in the evening.

Ayvalik at Dawn; Passing Babakale

Bozcaada

© Pyxis 2011