The weather Gods decided to throw a storm and some rain around so we stopped off in Palamut. We tied up in the little harbour - only just room for us! This little town was very nice and Peter got some good long fast walks in. We had read about a restaurant that did a leg of lamb in a wood fired oven if you gave them a half days notice. We found it and luckily the information was still correct after 12 years! Very, very good. Lots of left overs for sandwiches the next day. The restaurant and the accommodation and little farm have been in the family for many, many generations. The owner is a woodworker by hobby and there was lots of very clever woodwork throughout. He showed us an army dagger that his great grandfather used in the Gallipoli Battle. He knew all about us ANZAC invaders! They were able to move us inside to their own dining room when the squalls hit just after we sat down. Entre Nous was safe and sound in her berth on the wall.

After 4 days we moved around the Datca Peninsular to the southern side of the Bodrum Peninsular. We stopped at Akbuek overnight but did not hang around. Kiki and Cora went ashore for a run and said it was dirty and messy and run down. Dead cats, rubbish all around etc. There were two tatty looking campsites and dogs barking all night. A pity as it was a nice bay with crystal clear water.

Just one hour away, Oren was much better. The Bodrum Cup is on at the moment. It is Gulets sailing over a five or six day course featuring a lot of Raki drinking. Quite a sight to see all these big boats under sail. Our plan was to get to Bodrum after the Cup was finished so as to be able to find anchoring room. We really liked Oren - mostly local Turkish tourists come here so it is quite different to the places that cater more to overseas tourists. Nice long foreshore and good restaurants. Peter went for a few long walks, I got a pedicure and we had a catch up with Cat's Pajamas. Antony gave Peter some water skiing tips and had a ski with us. Dinner that night was a El Corazon. A Tex Mex effort with a Turkish leaning. Yhe menu meal names were all trying to be American eg Vegas t*** (never worked out what that was), Wells Fargo (hot dog) Billy the Kid (double hamburger) the descriptions were in Turkish but Google translate had trouble with them. Good food though.

We got to Bodrum the day before the Cup finished in the end. As we arrived all the Gulets were heading out for a day of racing so we were able to find a place to anchor. Cat's Pajamas were here along with another Australian boat called A Cunning Plan. (Ken and Tanya) That involved a dinner out and a few drinks on the various boats. Peter and I used this as a base to head off to Cappadocia for a quick three day tour and balloon flight. I have made a separate blog for that. Stunning!

Our final stop before Didim was Yakilavak. This is a very expensive upmarket marina - we anchored out for free. Going ashore was no problem as they don't mind you dropping off at their dinghy dock. the marina shops vere very brand name (genuine!) with lots of very good restaurants and gourmet food places. It's a pity we didn't realise it was here last winter as it is only 15 nm from Didim so we could have easily come down for an overnight or two for a change of scenery.

We're back in Didm now with a few of last year's boats here to welcome us which was nice.