Another week

Saturday 17

Waited until after lunch for arrival of replacement dinghy only to find that it had an identical tear. Fortunately the young man who delivered it had suggested we check the replacement before he left - the only drawback was that he could only get one dinghy in his van and we still had to hold on to one. This involved wheeling it on a pilfered supermarket trolley backwards and forwards to the main gate.  For anyone who does not have a business on site or works on site, 20 euros has to be paid to get through the main gate. Third time lucky the new dinghy was finally delivered but too late to start getting it on to the boat's bathing platform underneath the passarelle.

Sunday 18

First trip this season to Marmaris fruit and vegetable market - this time we knew the way and didn't walk round in ever decreasing circles in blazing sunshine looking for it.  The produce displayed and sold is incredible and very cheap. 

Back to the boat exhausted by our efforts and then played around getting the dinghy on board - not quite sure how it will be as the new one has a fibre glass hull and therefore heavier and some adjustments to previous system needed.

Drinks on Breakway but dinner on board.

Monday 19

We are no longer referred to as Bruce and Fran but by the name of the boat.  So Breakway and Bula left on a two day road trip and Sandpiper actually set sail this morning.  Very quiet without them all but when we went for dinner in the restaurant, thinking we would be alone, we met Freya of Lerwick and Growl Tiger. 

Tuesday 20

Trip into Marmaris as going a little stir crazy at the marina.  We catch a bus (dolmus) from the marina gates which run every 20 minutes and take approximately 20 minutes into town at just less than £1 each, each way.  A little bit of shopping in chandlers, a visit to Niaile to arrange a new winter cover for the new roof, and fresh orange juice and lunch in town along the quayside.

Back to Marmaris in the evening with Growl Tiger and Seductress (aka Ducky??) to join in a happy hour at Netsel Marina in a restaurant called Pineapple.  The idea is to meet fellow cruisers and new friends but like most of these occasions we sat with the people we knew although it did make a nice change from the restaurant at our own marina.

Wednesday 21

The weather has really picked up and now approximately 30 degrees but with enough of a breeze to stop us boiling over and still quite cool in the evenings.  We have taken to walking around the pontoons to the furthest one away in an attempt to get some exercise. As the marina is vast this is a reasonable walk and we gawp at all the massive boats which are moored on the outside pontoons.

Thursday 22

Another trip to Maramaris market to stock up for the arrival of Greta and Rob on Friday. Thursday's market is even bigger than Sunday's and I get completely bamboozled by the variety and cant make up my mind which stall to shop at - the Captain gets a little impatient. By now Breakaway (I keep wanting to break into Beach Boys song) and Bula have returned and drinks this evening on Freya. Freya's Captain pours the strongest G&Ts ever and we all fell off the boat three hours after arriving and as they had supplied endless nibbles we rolled back to our berths skipping dinner.

Friday 23

Newly designed fittings for dinghy on to bathing platform have not been made and Captain now scratching his head and changing his design frantically before Greta & Rob's arrival later today - typical.  If it wasnt for the last minute...................... but otherwise inside of boat all ready and stocked up.  Still have to wash the boat as well but looking forward to leaving the marina with them tomorrow and actually going sailing. But guess what? Its going to be windy!