Batten down the hatches, climb the rigging and let the cabin boy out of the toilet as we set sail for the last time. FMFF steered, LJF put the sails up and RPL tried his hand at fishing off the back of Esper, two hours later all he had caught on his hook was his finger.
Batten Down The Hatches, We’re Heading Home Read Post »
Awoke fresh and lively after being gently rocked to sleep all night in the cosy cabin (thanks Jamie for giving up your bed for us!) waves lapping at the side. We swam before breakfast and even ventured on to land to explore the hobbit hole – the pirate flag was no longer flying so we felt safe.
Thrash The Skipper At Scrabble? Double Pah! Read Post »
First maritime lesson don’t drink raki the night before your initial voyage. After collecting the belongings we had left around various venues in Bodrum, a bag in the Marine club, a cardigan on the boat and jogging our memories of the night before with all the random photos we had taken. Did I really get wheeled home in a trolley? and were they really three Russian prostitutes?
Thrashing The Skipper At Backgammon? Pah! Read Post »
We had some good strong winds which took us on a great beam reach back. On the way we tried anchoring off catal ada but the anchor dragged and it was not particularly sheltered so we went on our way. We wanted to take advantage of the terrific winds, anyway, so it didn’t matter that we headed back
We had planned to leave Bodrum asap, but plans have a funny way of changing on a boat. There had been a few occasions when it was impossible to get the boat in gear, but somehow each time this happened we eventually did manage to find the gear (thus avoiding one or two near misses with other boats and objects).
Gearing Up For Our Next Sail Read Post »
There was at least 35 knots of wind and the few other boats out and about obviously had the same plan – to get back safely asap. We discussed down to the smallest detail exactly how we would park the boat without hitting any other boats (or our own) against the pontoon.
Dauntingly Strong Winds Read Post »
Today goes down in history as my most embarrassing moment. It’s a moment all sailors dread. A moment that happens to most of us but one that shouldn’t happen in front of fellow sailors. It should only happen in private when no one is watching.
Here’s a girl with a sense of adventure I thought, especially being a young Turkish girl. It was whilst Tim was visiting that Taç came down for her summer holiday and we decided to take Taç out on her first sailing trip, a few miles down the coast.
A Virgin Rides Out Read Post »
The wind continued to gust into the high twenties as we continued to race along, slashing through warm but very wet waves. Every boat we saw became an opponent and before we knew it we were racing another three yachts. We won of course, but not without a battle. The battle was with the elements though – the other yachts either reefed or tacked into various anchorages along the way.
The day started quite dramatically with a local gullet being launched right next to us. It was very exciting, with everyone watching. After the dust had settled and the waves had calmed down everyone went about their morning business… until someone noticed that the boat was getting lower in the water.
Heading Back Home Read Post »
Ahhh… back on Esper in lovely Bodrum. Boy was I looking forward to this break. I had already been counting down the days till I would be on board permanently and this would be a nice little taster.
So Good To Be Back! Read Post »
Today was a simple day sail with me and a whole load of girls. Excellent! Always guaranteed to cause a stir in the marina, especially with it being such a hot day and much suntan lotion being applied to semi-naked bodies.
Bodrum, Ortakent, Bodrum Read Post »
After Jon did the rounds in the dinghy we went off to practice some man overboard under sail, before returning to Bodrum marina. We tried dropping the pasarelle to lay the warps on in order to assist the marina boys but all I managed to achieve whilst jack knifing Esper in reverse was to gently nudge the guardrail of the boat next door. Oooops! ‘Jon!!!!!’
Nice Bit Of Driving, Mate Read Post »
A lack of wind meant we motored our way to Catal Ada for some knot practice and then headed back round the Bodrum peninsular headland to Aspat Köyü. Here we anchored for the night and I was introduced to red mullet, which is deep fried and eaten whole, head and all. I think this is the first time I’ve eaten fish head, fin and tail but I have to say it was pretty tasty! I thoroughly recommend it!
I’d spent a fair bit of time considering possible sailing courses in order to further my sailing skills. The problem was I wasn’t sure what level I was at. Whilst I’ve only been sailing for three years I’ve managed to cover over 8,000nm across a broad range of vessels in a number of locations, but did I know how to trim the main sail properly?
RYA Day Skipper: A Good First Day. For Some. Read Post »
