More Markets, Thursday, 25th September

It's been a hot and sunny week in the Gulf of Fethiye. We missed the market days in Fethiye itself (Mon & Wed) but there is a daily covered fish market and fruit & veg market. The fresh produce is fabulous. Since then we have pootled about the bays (Seagull Bay, Ragged Bay, Wall Bay, etc), coves and islets of this sheltered sea area: anchoring, swimming & snorkelling and climbing up to visit ruins where we can. Fresh bread from the boat markets is all we needed.

We did then get up to the huge Sunday bazaar or open market in Goçek. Again the fresh food stalls were overflowing and we bought as much as we could cram into the trolley (did I say, we succumbed and bought a wheelie granny trolley - to my shame). It also had shoes and carpets (W was almost persuaded by 2 great pairs of leather sandals), linens and clothing. Anyone who knows us, recognises that we are both completely lacking the shopping gene (and why W did not actually buy any shoes), but even we could happily while away time browsing here.

Then time to start making tracks. After continuous good weather, the forecast was showing stronger winds and possible thunderstorm the back end of this week. We need to clock out of the Turkey by beginning of October and Datça is our chosen port. We like Datça. So 2 lots of 30nm hops (nothing major this year), bypassing Marmaris to arrive after a 2-reef beat to Bozburun in the Hisaronu Gulf. Datça lies on the other side of the Gulf, a mere 20nm away. And the Greek island of Simi sits in the middle of the entrance to the Gulf, so can be our first port of entry there. It's blowy today and tonight, so staying put here and keeping an eye on thunderstorms at the weekend. Doubt that they will amount to much - nothing to stop the swimming anyway.

Our fellow Hallberg-Rassy owners are meeting up for a final season rally & dinner this weekend in Lymington. We are sorry to miss it - we'll be with our HR friends in spirit. Wish you fair winds, good food and good company!