Well it was good to have an excuse to get back to the UK for a week, but it’s even better to get back to the boat!

The UK week went by quickly.  Great weather – almost on par with Turkey.  Stayed over at Rob and Louises place in the New Forest and spent week rushing around to source needed boat bits, cleaned up after the horses each day (boy can they produce some crap), and took 48 hours out to fly to Holland for nieces wedding. 

Rounded the week off with a boozy BBQ and cricket game with pals on Saturday in one of Robs paddocks – and staggered off flight at 4 am Monday back in Turkey.  Even able to wave to Rob and Louise as they waited in departure area about to climb on plane we got off!

Since then been even busier. 

Having to keep pressure on Kemers Tech Service team to do last remaining jobs, but to be fair, some proving to be more work than anyone anticipated.

Like new genoa tracks needing furniture removed to get access to deck fixings!  Why fit it all together like that?  Luckily, Turkish skilled labour is not expensive, so having some parts re0configured so if they ever need to come out again, it can be done easier.

But the boat currently looks like a wreck below.  Promises it will be all done by close of business tonight allow me to aim to cast off tomorrow midday  so I’ve still got 24 hours to finish off my own jobs (like repair crack in new to me u beaut carbon gangway) and fit solar panel.

All being well, should be heading westward tomorrow, and hope to meet up with eastbound 2008 East Med Rally fleet in Kekova anchorage. 

If possible, means a freebie shoreside party………hard eh?

Weather currently still hot with forecasted winds light but N - NW.  Maybe some rain tomorrow.  Not an issue for us.  Luckily looks like winds will shift to S for back end of week / weekend so that should make it easier moving further along the Turkish coast.  Without doubt the strongish N - NW winds expected when we hit the Agean are going to make sailing over towards Santorini a bit of a bash - but we've 3 weeks to get there so will pick our moments and just maybe slide over with winds off the nose.

Cheers

JOHN