End of May Already?

We've been busy getting ready for and attending to our many visitors aboard Belvedere. So much so, that I just realised today is the LAST day of May. How did that happen? I promise lots of pics in this post as it's the only way I can even remember what has happened since the last Slog I wrote.

Jeff has been busy helping our friends Malcolm and Kathy find and buy their new Beneteau 42 Swift Trawler and sell their Oceanis 50 sailboat to our good friends Omar and Betul. Between that and keeping up with our own yacht Jeff has no idea how he ever worked a full time job! Last week Jeff had a head hunter reach out to him about a position in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that if offered a few years earlier in life, he might have considered taking. But the dream is now fully realised and we won't be going back to 'normal' without a fight. We absolutely love this lifestyle and find it well worth the effort despite its daily challenges.

The summer season began with Jeff's cousin Darren, his wife, mother and her partner coming aboard for a few days since they were in Fethiye on holiday. We very much enjoyed their company and getting reacquainted after many years. Are you missing seeing family and friends or feel you need some new ones? Then, by all means, buy a boat! While I say that sarcastically, I truly am enjoying the people who come aboard and the experiences we get to share with them. However, my liver is thinking this may not be the best idea I've had and is threatening to reject me. Luckily, it is smarter than my brain and just straight-out refuses my arm to bend more than one day in a row after 5pm. Moderation is clearly the key and at 54 the concept has never been more welcome or necessary given the opportunities. When you rock up in a bay more beautiful than the last, it's hard not to want to sip a gin and tonic and marvel at the postcard moment (only seen in travel brochures) that it is now truly mine. Jamie 1, Haters 0! For the record: the pictures you take don't do the scenery justice. There is just no capturing mother nature at her absolute best without being there. You owe it to yourself to get out and see the things I'm writing about for yourself.

Jeff, Caz, Daz, Maggie aka Click Clack, and Dave at Adia in Wall Bay, Göçek.

Some of the ruins in the water in Wall Bay, Göçek.

Jeff's mum, Annmarie, and his sister Helen came out for 10 days of cruising which I believe they thoroughly enjoyed. Poor Helen had one day of absolute misery brought on by too much sun and too much swell, but other than that a good time was had by all. Many meals and laughs were shared as they met our friends and tried some amazing Turkish cuisine at some of our favourite restaurants as well as finding some new ones we will take others to enjoy in Kas https://www.delosbeachhotel.com/hakkimizda/ and Kekova https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1057713-d1832867-Reviews-Hassan_Restaurant-Kekova_Turkish_Mediterranean_Coast.html. The ruins at Saint Nicholas Island were amazing as was the water everywhere we went, except for Fethiye Bay, which suffers the wrath of tourism and currents that sweep the trash of Turkey straight into it's waters where it collects like an aunty hoarding tourist souvenirs. It truly is the only thing we don't like about Fethiye because everything else is beyond perfection.

These images are from Mum's trip to Göçek, Fethiye, St Nicholas Island, Kas, Kalkan and Kekova and back.

We are so lucky to have friends and family to share it with in addition to the amazing flotilla of cruisers we run into around the Turkish islands, bays and coastline. We had one last dance with Let's Dance before they sailed off to make their way to the Caribbean in search of new adventures. We wish them well and look forward to seeing them again in the next couple of years somewhere in the world. Unfortunately, we didn't get a proper farewell with Red Roo, aka Phil and Marie, as they are now headed back to their native land of Australia, specifically Tasmania. We've made lots of Aussie and Kiwi friends so maybe we'll get there someday and see what the land of gonna-getchas has to offer.

At our Fethiye favourite: Buyekev for a reunion of Marmaris Yachties and good-bye (again) to Let's Dance. L-R: Herbert, Noel, Omar, Betül, Kathy, myself, Marita, Michael, Dave, Jeff and Graham. Not pictured due to bathroom break: Elena and Malcolm. The lovely Tina was taking the pic.

Until next time, I hope you enjoyed these amazing shots from our recent travels including (below) a hike with Shannon Morrelli of Sweety and her secret Lycian Way ruins she found and took me to. Both her and Tony (from California) have been all over the world and cruising for many years on their catamaran and know all the best places to anchor and swim—and she makes a fantastic lasagna using her solar cooker that I hope to get to have again some day along with one of her unbelievably great boat brewed ales. Life is good. No, life is GREAT!

Me playing at being Indiana Jones minus all the crazy action scenes which included falling into a very nasty holly bush.

UP NEXT: Yachting with Mick and Jill Lemon followed by Audrey Milner and Matthew Taylor.