Posted by Pippy on 5 May 2008
These are pictures of Richard, taken this morning at Marti Marina - going up the mast to repair the main halyard which we broke during yesterday's sailing. Read on....
These are pictures of Richard, taken this morning at Marti Marina - going up the mast to repair the main halyard which we broke during yesterday's sailing. Read on....
Friday 2 May and we wake up in Kos back at the town basin moored close to the old wall and do our last provisioning of good cheap Greek wine and some essentials from the supermarket we have discovered there. Greek cheeses are definitely on the list. Amazing pork chops from the butcher on the corner are 5 Euro for 3 huge sized ones which he chops up as we watch. Diesel is also a priority and we fill up at the Marina around the corner .
It is now time to leave the Greek Islands behind us and head for Turgetreis Marina where we are to meet up with the rest of the fleet for the EMYR (Eastern Mediterranean Yacht Rally).
It is hard to believe that we are travelling from one country to another across this narrow stretch of water – however we are soon reminded we are back in Turkey when we hear the call for prayers from the mosque near to the Marina. This is a very sophisticated and well appointed marina with top class shower and laundry facilities, a collection of designer stores, supermarket, and all the usual facilities. The wealth here is very noticeable.
On arrival we see lots of yachts with full bunting up which is required of the EMYR boats. There is a very festive atmosphere with the fleet having grown from 8 who left Istanbul, to around 23 at the moment. We will be 30 by the time we leave here and growing...
Since 1990 yachtsmen from all over the world have converged on Turkey to participate in the Eastern Mediterranean Yacht Rally. Beginning with a small fleet of 17 boats, the rally has expanded to 80 boats.
In 1995 the traditional Rally route, (Antalya – Bozyazi – Girne), was extended from Istanbul to Kemer and internationally Syria, Lebanon and Egypt were included in the Eastern Mediterranean Yacht Rally. In 2008, the Rally started on 22 April from Ataköy Marina, Istanbul and will sail the entire southwest and south coast down to Kemer, Antalya. On 14 May 2008 the rally will have the big start from Kemer and will sail to Alanya, Turkey and then on to Girne, (Kyrenia) (N. Cyrpess). Some yachts in the rally will be staying in old Girne harbour under the old Byzantine Castle. Others will stay at the new modern Delta Marina. Our visit will feature a reception at the castle to welcome us, usually hosted by the President of Turkish Cypress. Leaving Girne the rally fleet will sail to Mersin on the Turkish coast which is the starting point for visiting the geolithic wonders, cave dwellings and monasteries of Cappadocia, Tarsus, the home of Saul, the Cleopatra Gate and the ruins of Elaeussa-Sebastian (Ayas) a Roman city dating at least to the early Roman period…. and more … so much of our biblical history.
From here the Rally passages a further 80 nautical miles to Iskenderun, the terminus for the Iraqi oil pipeline and main port for the southern province of Antayka (Antioch). After leaving Turkey, the Rally yachts will visit the port of Lattakia in Syria, Jounieh Marina in Lebanon, Haifa and Ashkelon Marinas in Israel, Port Said in Egypt and finally Herzliya Marina in Israel as the last port.
Amazing Sailing!
We feel very privileged to be sharing a part of this Rally on Rumpus with Rupert Wilson. We leave Turgetreis Marina with 3 crew - Skipper Rupert, Richard and Pippy, early on Sunday morning 4 May (around 7.45am) after a very pleasant round of boat cleaning/preparation and social activities, meeting the other participants in the fleet on Saturday.
Most of the fleet have gone already, with the first boat leaving around 3.30am. We are heading for Marti Marina, Orhaniye 62 n. miles keeping Kos, Nisiros and Simi to starboard. There is a good breeze coming in from the north and we soon have the spinnaker up and Rumpus is making 10 - 11 knots as we sail south-east to clear the end of Kos. The bright colour of the spinnaker against the blue sky and sea is very sharp, the sun is up and we are having a wonderful sail with constant Northerly slowly building. We manage to carry it most of the way south (with a drop and a gibe) as we keep the long part of Kos to starboard and clear the Dorian Promontory. We lose our sheet at the end of this run (unclipped itself), so it was timely to pull the spinnaker down and we stuff it into the for’ard head through the hatch, rounding past Knidos around 10.00am. We have an excellent run past Knidos towards Datca and I am able to helm for a while as we catch up on the fleet and pass some as though they are standing still. This is pretty neat sailing even without the big kite up and Rumpus is in her element. However, there are a couple of yachts we have not caught yet and Rupe soon decides it could be a good time for the gennaker. It is hoisted in its sock then Richard breaks it out on the foredeck. The bright orange as it unfurls and fills is a sight to see as the boat surges beneath us. It reminds me of sailing outside Gt Barrier as the wind gusts come off the land and Rupe has a look of part exhilaration, part concern as he holds on to the wheel for grim death and steers away down wind during the puffs. The wind is now 18-20 knots and it is time to get the orange sail down as the wind comes ahead and we fly north eastwards towards Marti Marina. I cannot believe it is just past midday – it feels like we have been going for hours. At this point I tuck myself up down below as am suffering from the effects of a virus and have the cold collywobbles. I am in the for’ard berth and it feels like we are flying as Rumpus carves her way through the building sea and we get the occasional wave over the top. The motion of the boat lulls me and I lose track of time. I am slammed back to reality by a loud bang as the boat shudders and the motion changes, followed shortly by another bang. The main halyard has broken and Richard and Rupe bring Rumpus up into the wind and get the main down. We complete the last hour motor sailing under genoa only and I am hanging over the back decorating the transom. Conditions at the marina are very difficult with a 25-30 knot wind blowing into the bay, but we finally get in and tie up. There is lots of partying and talk around the marina into the night of that orange shute, and some challenges were laid for the next leg. What? I thought this was not supposed to be a race…. Yeah right!
Sorry no photos of this leg – have been a little busy, but will plan for some on next post.
It is now time to leave the Greek Islands behind us and head for Turgetreis Marina where we are to meet up with the rest of the fleet for the EMYR (Eastern Mediterranean Yacht Rally).
It is hard to believe that we are travelling from one country to another across this narrow stretch of water – however we are soon reminded we are back in Turkey when we hear the call for prayers from the mosque near to the Marina. This is a very sophisticated and well appointed marina with top class shower and laundry facilities, a collection of designer stores, supermarket, and all the usual facilities. The wealth here is very noticeable.
On arrival we see lots of yachts with full bunting up which is required of the EMYR boats. There is a very festive atmosphere with the fleet having grown from 8 who left Istanbul, to around 23 at the moment. We will be 30 by the time we leave here and growing...
Since 1990 yachtsmen from all over the world have converged on Turkey to participate in the Eastern Mediterranean Yacht Rally. Beginning with a small fleet of 17 boats, the rally has expanded to 80 boats.
In 1995 the traditional Rally route, (Antalya – Bozyazi – Girne), was extended from Istanbul to Kemer and internationally Syria, Lebanon and Egypt were included in the Eastern Mediterranean Yacht Rally. In 2008, the Rally started on 22 April from Ataköy Marina, Istanbul and will sail the entire southwest and south coast down to Kemer, Antalya. On 14 May 2008 the rally will have the big start from Kemer and will sail to Alanya, Turkey and then on to Girne, (Kyrenia) (N. Cyrpess). Some yachts in the rally will be staying in old Girne harbour under the old Byzantine Castle. Others will stay at the new modern Delta Marina. Our visit will feature a reception at the castle to welcome us, usually hosted by the President of Turkish Cypress. Leaving Girne the rally fleet will sail to Mersin on the Turkish coast which is the starting point for visiting the geolithic wonders, cave dwellings and monasteries of Cappadocia, Tarsus, the home of Saul, the Cleopatra Gate and the ruins of Elaeussa-Sebastian (Ayas) a Roman city dating at least to the early Roman period…. and more … so much of our biblical history.
From here the Rally passages a further 80 nautical miles to Iskenderun, the terminus for the Iraqi oil pipeline and main port for the southern province of Antayka (Antioch). After leaving Turkey, the Rally yachts will visit the port of Lattakia in Syria, Jounieh Marina in Lebanon, Haifa and Ashkelon Marinas in Israel, Port Said in Egypt and finally Herzliya Marina in Israel as the last port.
Amazing Sailing!
We feel very privileged to be sharing a part of this Rally on Rumpus with Rupert Wilson. We leave Turgetreis Marina with 3 crew - Skipper Rupert, Richard and Pippy, early on Sunday morning 4 May (around 7.45am) after a very pleasant round of boat cleaning/preparation and social activities, meeting the other participants in the fleet on Saturday.
Most of the fleet have gone already, with the first boat leaving around 3.30am. We are heading for Marti Marina, Orhaniye 62 n. miles keeping Kos, Nisiros and Simi to starboard. There is a good breeze coming in from the north and we soon have the spinnaker up and Rumpus is making 10 - 11 knots as we sail south-east to clear the end of Kos. The bright colour of the spinnaker against the blue sky and sea is very sharp, the sun is up and we are having a wonderful sail with constant Northerly slowly building. We manage to carry it most of the way south (with a drop and a gibe) as we keep the long part of Kos to starboard and clear the Dorian Promontory. We lose our sheet at the end of this run (unclipped itself), so it was timely to pull the spinnaker down and we stuff it into the for’ard head through the hatch, rounding past Knidos around 10.00am. We have an excellent run past Knidos towards Datca and I am able to helm for a while as we catch up on the fleet and pass some as though they are standing still. This is pretty neat sailing even without the big kite up and Rumpus is in her element. However, there are a couple of yachts we have not caught yet and Rupe soon decides it could be a good time for the gennaker. It is hoisted in its sock then Richard breaks it out on the foredeck. The bright orange as it unfurls and fills is a sight to see as the boat surges beneath us. It reminds me of sailing outside Gt Barrier as the wind gusts come off the land and Rupe has a look of part exhilaration, part concern as he holds on to the wheel for grim death and steers away down wind during the puffs. The wind is now 18-20 knots and it is time to get the orange sail down as the wind comes ahead and we fly north eastwards towards Marti Marina. I cannot believe it is just past midday – it feels like we have been going for hours. At this point I tuck myself up down below as am suffering from the effects of a virus and have the cold collywobbles. I am in the for’ard berth and it feels like we are flying as Rumpus carves her way through the building sea and we get the occasional wave over the top. The motion of the boat lulls me and I lose track of time. I am slammed back to reality by a loud bang as the boat shudders and the motion changes, followed shortly by another bang. The main halyard has broken and Richard and Rupe bring Rumpus up into the wind and get the main down. We complete the last hour motor sailing under genoa only and I am hanging over the back decorating the transom. Conditions at the marina are very difficult with a 25-30 knot wind blowing into the bay, but we finally get in and tie up. There is lots of partying and talk around the marina into the night of that orange shute, and some challenges were laid for the next leg. What? I thought this was not supposed to be a race…. Yeah right!
Sorry no photos of this leg – have been a little busy, but will plan for some on next post.
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