Start of the Summer Season

Finally it was time to slip our lines and leave Finike marina. Before we set off there was just a few routine checks to be done, one being the sails. We had left the sails on through the winter so on a nice windless morning we unfurled them to have a look how they had survived. Starting with the Genoa, we pulled it out and noticed a small lump attached, at first it looked like a tiny bird, but on closer inspection realised it was a bat.

We tried to remove him but obviously not a morning person and not happy that his sleep had been disturbed, he was holding on very tightly and had no intention of going anywhere. Soon he extended a wing to help hold fast. Paul was trying to encourage him off with the boat hook while I stood far enough away in case he got angry and flew at me, but bravely still close enough to take photos. The things I do for my art!

It took several minutes of prodding before he finally admitted defeat and escaped to freedom. Thankfully the rest of the sail, although a bit dirty, looked ok.

Next it was time for the main sail, here we found some of the stitching along the foot of the sail had disintegrated. Out came the ‘easy stitcher’ a small tool with a strong needle to hand stitch through thick layers of material. This was a two man job (easy?), with one of us either side of the sail we managed to push the needle back and forth, after just an hour or so (easy?), it was looking much better. The sails are original and on our list for replacement, but with our annual maintenance budget allocated elsewhere they will have to last at least one more season.

We had made our last trip along the river to the market to stock up, the water tanks were filled and with everything safely stowed away Ziggy was ready to go.

The engine was fired up and we motored out of the marina. It was a cloudy overcast day with some rain forecasted later. Thank you Vanessa for getting up to wave us off and taking some lovely photos.

We set our route to travel 20 nm along the coast to Kekova. The sea was very flat as we left the marina allowing us a gentle start to the season but with the consequence of a very light wind, so we had the engine on all the way.

Two dolphins came swimming by to give us brief entertainment (they seemed to be hand in hand) but other than that, it was an uneventful passage. Just after midday we arrived at Kekova, a large protected bay where we anchored with enough space around us to let out plenty of chain, ensuring good holding in the forthcoming rain and thunder storms that were on their way.

Following a night of heavy rain it had started to slow down by the morning so we lifted the anchor between showers and continued another 20nm to Kaş. Again the wind was very light so we had to motor all of the way. On arrival at Kaş harbour, and with more storms forecast, we moored in the marina. The sky was full of rain clouds on top of the surrounding hills but thankfully the rain stayed away.

Paul had not yet visited the town here which was just a short walk away, so we set off to explore. It all looked very different to my previous visit with the girls back in February. The small whitewashed houses in the town centre were covered with bright Bougainvillea.

It was much busier, the shops were now open with their display of goods spilling out onto the narrow streets and people trying to tempt you into one of the many restaurants and cafes, the summer tourist season has definitely begun!

Kaş (pronounced Cash) is a pretty little town which has quite a laidback Greek feel to it with the wooden shutters, narrow streets and large terraces to sit and soak up the sun. Like many towns in this part of Turkey, there was a substantial Greek population until 1923, when there was a forced citizen exchange between Greece and Turkey.

Our first stop was breakfast, we went up the hilly stone street that locals call ‘slippery street’ (the attractive cobble stones are well worn and very smooth) to the ‘Laurel & Hardy’ cafe at the top for a proper coffee and some of the best croissants.

There are various remains of tombs around the town and close to the cafe is the Kings Tomb, a 4th-century BC Lycian sarcophagus. It’s mounted on a high base carved from solid rock and has two lions’ heads on the lid.

The cloud descended on us as we walked around the harbour, small boats were buzzing around and there was a smell of fresh fish as the fishing boats docked to unload their catch.

In the centre of town is Republic Square, overlooking the harbour and surrounded by many different cafes, restaurants and bars. The sun had come out again so we stopped for a nice cold drink in the lively atmosphere of one of the cafes watching people come and go.

A statue of Ataturk stands in the square with a plaque underneath stating the words ‘Yurtta Sulh, Cihanda Sulh’ meaning ‘Peace at Home, Peace in the World’

Kaş has a weekly market, not quite on the same scale as Finike market but still sold everything you need. It was set up on a sloping car park around the remains of random sarcophagus.

We stocked up here before returning to the marina to prepare ourselves and Ziggy for visitors due to arrive next week.