We left Gocek after Paul and Glenys flew out and went off to Ecincik which we remembered as being lovely and quiet with clean, clean water only to find it quite busy and bits and pieces in the water - not sure what they were but it wasn't very inviting. Peter tried to get up on the skis again but failed. Kiki and Cora wake boarded.

Marmaris was the next stop and we met Antony and Alison from Cat's Pajamas ( a play on their South African/Dutch surname). an Australian boat we kept seeing everywhere but just missing them to say hello to, whether they or us were ashore or just leaving etc. They also know Neil and Kirstan from Seaduction - small sailing world. I finally managed to have a sushi meal - been hanging out for some for ages. it was some of the best I've had for a long time. Very fresh with interesting flavours.

Peter and I had intended to go to the chandlery for a particular toilet tank treatment fluid but got distracted by drinks with Antony and Alison - it happens, I'm sure there will be other places that sell it.

The northerlies have started to set in a bit now so we are making sure we have ample time to sit out a few days here and there if we have to. We slipped round to Bozburum and took lines ashore not far from where we were last time. A very nice sheltered bay within a larger bay. Much quitter now out of season. it's a lovely couple of months around here - September and October - still warm but minus the crowds.

On the last trip around here we missed stopping at Selimye as we found it to be full or Gulets and other tourist boats. Despite it being a big bay the middle is very deep for anchoring so the possibilities are limited. This time with fewer boats around we found a good lines ashore spot and stayed a few days. it was a very nice town with many restaurants and bars along quite a long foreshore. Cat's Pajamas came in to re stock so we met up for drinks and an impromptu meal ashore. We had the phone number of the mobile pump out boat so we called him. It turned out he was in hospital but gave us another number. This we rang and after some language/directions problems he found us. A very quick and easy process - miles better than having to dock.

Datca was our next stop and it was a nice as before but less crowded. Peter was on crutches last time so this time he was able to get around and see everything he missed before. Cats Pajama's invited us over for a BBQ and we made plans to go to the local wineries the next day. the Knidos Winery was smallish and interesting nut the better wines were at Datca Wines. We sampled away the afternoon between the two and ended up at dinner along the beach. That night a bit of wind got up and the mono in front of us dragged causing lots of scrambling around as the owners were not on board. Eventually they turned up and re anchored. They were gone the next morning so obviously weren't happy with their position overnight. Sometimes this is the best option in the dark with other boats around and you feel unable to anchor securely. We have done is several times over the years. Just go on out to sea and sit it out till daylight, unless you know another bay. it's never fun anchoring in the dark anyway - even with a full moon. We have a Flir infared camera now. It is absolutely brilliant. All the surrounds look like daylight in black and white. A good safety feature.

Now we are making our way round. and up to Bodrum.