It now over a week since we left Sagcik and started to plough our way Northward. We enjoyed Sagcik very much it was very Turkish and certainly a lot cheaper than the flesh pots of the tourist towns further south.

We spent a nice afternoon with three Turkish yachts discussing everything from Turkey’s entry into the ECC to the inflated cost of Turkish marinas all to the accompaniment of tea and cookies

Despite the warnings of our Turkish friends that the TV had forecasted high winds from the North we trusted to the Greek forecast from Poseidon and left at first light . We were not disappointed we sailed across the bay in light favourable winds but as soon as we turned the corner to head westward we lost the wind and resorted to motoring. We are always wary of the Chios channel that always seems to attract high winds and unpredictable seas but on this occasion it was as quiet as a mill pond and we pushed onwards. Our original destination was Chios town but seeing we were making such good progress we pushed on to the little island of Oinoussa off the north east tip of Chios, we were not to be disappointed the island is very quiet and has a wonderful protected harbour very clean with water and electricity (all we suppose courtesy of the EEC)

We were the only boat there and the first boat to visit this year. The island only supports 1200 people and depends very much on the ferry to Chios which leaves every day except Tuesday.

The island has produced more Greek shipping magnets than any other and the bygone affluence is very evident. Although many of the former properties are now lying derelict there is definitely a move to repair and preserve.

The island is home also to a Greek Nautical school training future sea captains (hope they do a better job than the one who trained the ferry captain who ran his boat on the reef outside Rhodes town a couple of years ago)

The high winds resumed and we weren’t really unhappy to stay in this idyllic spot.
We planned to get the ferry into Chios on Tuesday but of course that was the day it didn’t run.

Wednesday was our planned departure but we awoke to the howling of a North easterly so off to Chios we set on the eight o’clock ferry.

Chios town is quite interesting a good range of shops and restaurants returning to the Quay for the return at two o’clock we found the ferry had returned at 12 no one told us!!

An enforced night in a hotel was our only recourse.
The next morning of course was perfect sailing weather only problem we in Chios and the boat in Oinoussa.

The next day though was not too bad and we set off for Lesbos (Mithilini) a fairly uneventful passage despite the F6 and 2 metre seas for the first thirty miles as soon as we made the coast of Lesbos the wind dropped and we motored in under a warm sun.

The harbour was very busy and we had to raft up to another boat along side no one aboard as were all the rest of the ones tied to the Quay.

We made another foray to Lidel (3e in a taxi) to top up the booze locker and had a walk around the charming town and harbour.

We left the next morning for Ayvalick only about 15 miles across the channel in an inland sea.

We know Ayvalick pretty well having sent two weeks here three years ago fitting a new gearbox. The marina is pleasant and the staff outstanding Ugel the marina manager now is an old friend.

The town is a Turkish holiday destination and I suppose a bit like the Turkish Blackpool but without the nasty bits restaurants abound all serving the ubiquitous Pide and Donnar and Chia .
We plan to leave tonight by overnight bus to Istanbul were we will meet up with the rest of the EMYR fleet in Atakoy marina we will sail down the coast as guest of John and Cheryl on Sea Mist for the first two legs untilled can pick Mashona up here in Ayvalick.

Making Northward along the Turkish coast is never easy but usually at this time of the year the southerly are blowing or no wind which makes things easier, but this year we have been subjected to Northerly all our voyage.

We are looking forward to the EMYR very much and meeting old friends again.

We plan to report on each leg so if you are board of us please send us an e mail and we will cross you off the list.

Dave Kath and Tilly (the cat)
S/Y Mashona (Ayvalick)

P.S. It’s blowing again this morning 25knts from the North