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!
After a great night’s sleep Jon’s off in the dinghy, rowing to each boat in the flotilla giving them the low-down on what to do and what to expect for today’s sail. It was interesting watching Jon at work and it quickly made me realise I never want to be running flotilla holidays!
What Dost Thou Think Of This Then? Read Post »
Another dead calm day meant we had perfect conditions to practice boat handling techniques under motor. Sounds straightforward, doesn’t it? Unfortunately Jon and I learnt that Esper doesn’t really like reversing. At all. We must have spent a good hour just going round in circles, backwards and forwards, working out exactly which way the prop-walk affected the boat.
Sailing the Italian Lakes! Read Post »
The complete lack of wind today was made up for by being introduced to a very nice couple, Peter and Gilly. Turns out my Day Skipper course would include a motor over to Catal Ada with Peter and Gilly on board to check it out as a possible wedding location!
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 »
We took the sails down at Kara Ada but it had been a great sail. I was given a new home in the marina too. Nothing unusual there. Every time I come back I always seem to be given a new home! Still, it’s a great way of meeting new people and practising my berthing skills!
Look Mum, No Hands! Read Post »
Today was an excellent sail to Mersincik, leaving Chris at the helm whilst I learnt a little more about sail trim (boat gets pulled into the wind = too much sail aft of the boat, which normally means letting out the main sail).
Those Rocks Are Getting Closer! Read Post »
Chrichriss, Liz’s brother, was over for the week and Liz had clearly had a word with him. Something along the lines of “Jamie’s getting very agitated living on the boat and not being able to go sailing due to lack of available crew so you WILL go sailing with him!”. So Chris ‘volunteered’ for a three day trip that would involve some more anchoring in new locations that I had not yet visited.
Damn Drunken Ex-Pats Read Post »
When I took over from Salih on our anchor watch the sun was coming up so I made myself comfortable in the cockpit. It was only then that I realised we had moved at least 50 metres from where we had originally anchored! Hmmmmm.
Euro Turkish Pop Dance Rubbish Read Post »
Regular site visitors will already be familiar with Salih and Bilge, two local friends who join us on Esper whenever they are able to take time out from their busy schedules. Their plan is to buy their own boat one day so any experience is important to them. Salih spent six years working on the gullets, so his anchoring tips should have been useful.
See-Saw Rides In Aspat Köyü Read Post »
Whilst Liz worked her notice (yes, she finally handed it in but she had to serve 6 months, poor girl) myself and a number of guests sailed over 900 miles on Esper this summer and they are all documented in these pages!
For someone who has been sailing for only two or so years, this really was a quantum leap. Don’t mind if I blow my own trumpet but how many people do you know are capable of taking a boat out
First Single-Handed Sail Read Post »
Some pics taken in 2005 of Esper under sail, plus early video footage taken on the same day too!
The Esper Photographs Read Post »
When I first took Esper out with a couple of skippers on board, my anchoring techniques left a lot to be desired. I was determined to make the effort to try and anchor the next few times I went out for a sail.
Anchoring Off Bitez Read Post »
This second trip from Bodrum was a trip around Kara Ada itself, this time with just Salih and Bilge. For me this was an important moment as it was the first time I had ever sailed a boat as the most experienced person aboard. Even on the Aquarium trip I accompanied by three qualified skippers, two of whom were Yachtmasters, so this was a great mental leap forward for me.
