EDITORIAL

Merhaba . . . .  February brought many of our friends back to the marina from their winters at home but there are of course still more to come during the next few weeks. Welcome back to everyone. As the weather now starts to warm up those outdoor jobs on the boat start to take priority though there is still lots of socialising to be done with Barbeques, parties and of course our very own wedding with all that that entails. So, until next month, keep up the partying and the work.      

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Helpful Hint

A simple way to keep your fenders, electric cable etc just like new. Clean with acetone to get rid of all the grime and sticky stuff then apply autowax. Once the excess wax is wiped off the surfaces should be like new. Re-apply wax every six months or so to keep them that way. (Always test a small area before applying acetone).

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Notice in a field: The farmer allows walkers to cross the field for free, but the bull charges.

Istanbul Trip

 

(The Blue Mosque)

A number of our residents took the trip to Istanbul during February to take in the Boat Show and some of the local sights. Some extended tours were also arranged to see Galipoli and Troy. No-one gave us a story so we have added some of our own photographs of the sights.

 

(The Grand Bazaar)

We did however manage to find one or two revealing shots of Tony. See Ron or Julie for the others!!!!!

 

Peel and cut potatoes into thin slices. Rinse leek and cut into thin slices, even the green part. Put half of the potato slices on an ovenproof dish in one layer, add leek in one layer and press garlic cloves over. Add salt and then rest of the potato slices. Pour cream or cream and milk over. Put in oven (225º C) for about 40 – 60 minutes until the potatoes are soft and the gratin has got a nice brown colour.

   

(Rudolph Valentino).  In the evening a superb traditional Swedish meal was served, more fun and games were to be had with the evening culminating in the “Swedish Can-Can”.  Who would have ever though that “eight beautiful ladies” would perform that for us in our very own navigator??? Many thanks to all for the organisation.

   

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Poet’s Corner

Sunday Outings

 

This was a brand new walk for all of us very well scouted out by Bob & Jean. I think it gave everyone a real sense of history walking on the very same road that Alexander the Great and St. Paul had trod centuries before.

    

  

Eventually, mainly due to the heroics of our drivers ploughing through the ice and mud, we made it back down to Caner’s Restaurant for a superb Trout or Chicken lunch.

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Rodney’s Cap Presentation

A most serious occasion with the definite possibility of Geoff getting a hammering for stealing Rodney’s original cap. All turned out well though with Rodney instantly falling in love with his brand new “Yorkshire” flat cap and the old one now adorning the walls of the Navigator.

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In the evening about 60 or so of us sat down to a traditional Welsh dinner (the leeks had to get in there somewhere) followed by some unique entertainment. The Kemer Khorale did us proud yet again; Len, Jean and Jenny treated us to a skit from ‘Under Milkwood by Dylan Thomas and Len performed a virtuoso solo of Eli Jenkins Prayer in lieu of the normal Grace.  A potted history of St. David by Ray during which he managed to have a dig at the patron saints of England, Scotland and Ireland (in the nicest possible way) and then a geography lesson by Tony to ensure that we all know exactly where Wales is (presumably so that we can avoid it!)

A real nice evening had by all though some of the music did get a little ‘dour’. Thanks to all involved in the organisation.

   

CAPTION COMPETITION

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After years of exhaustive research into the various techniques of anchoring I am now pleased to share with our readers the most common styles currently in use in the Med;

The Faithful. Once into the bay, a seemingly random length of line is dropped in a huge pile on top of the anchor. The captain and crew immediately disappear down the hatch to pray that it holds well, or maybe to refill their glasses. Occasionally someone comes up again when another boat starts shouting that they’re too close, but usually they just hang out a fender or suggest that someone else must be dragging because their GPS anchor watch tells them they aren’t!

The Staring; When the boat approaches the anchorage, all except the captain gather on the foredeck to watch the launch of the important anchor. They all stay on deck after the anchor and a random length of chain have reached the bottom. Their final effort is to stare at the place where the anchor is expected automatically to have dug itself into the seabed. This technique is often used by charter boats.

person – often speaking a Latin based language – gets excited and drops the anchor in a random place. The captain doesn’t know what’s been decided as he couldn’t hear for the engine noise, but he can see several people pointing at their favourite spots (all different). He selects his own place, and manages to lay over several other yachts’ anchors as he aims for the quay. If they anchor off they usually end up only a few meters away from another unhappy skipper, whose complaints they dismiss with “no problem”.

The Stingy: The correct spot is identified, and anchor chain up to two times the depth of water is let go. When the wind increases they often hang out one or two fenders and ask any neighbouring boat if they may hang on to him/her with a line. Some captains also find it safest to hang their anchor on another boats chain, on the principle that the other boat must have good holding. This ought to be a beginners fault, but unfortunately is often seen on yachts without an electric windlass but with a wind vane, whose captain thinks the Med is a calm pond. This captain wants to save the long chain until the wild oceans require it.

The Farmers;  These skippers often look very professional. They put the boat full astern downwind and order the anchor to be dropped. The crew let go the anchor by means of the electric windlass push buttons, and it makes a slow decent to the bottom. By the time the anchor is close to the seabed the boat is going fast enough that the anchor and chain are bouncing along the bottom, ploughing a deep furrow. This group very rarely get the anchor to hold even in reasonable conditions. If the anchor does happen to dig in the boat seldom ends up where they want it to be. This category tends to control most things with electric buttons.

And Finally….This is you isn’t it???

carefully with due regard to other boats, hopefully in a sandy patch where the holding is good. The captain signals the actual depth and how much chain should be let out (usually 4-5 times the depth of water; the chain being marked so they know how much has gone out). It is let out steadily as the boat moves backwards in the expected pull direction until the intended length of chain has been reached. Engine is engaged, first slowly in reverse until the chain comes up tight, then hard astern. Bearings are checked to ensure that the boat isn’t moving. If they’ve decided to go with a line to terra firma then mooring lines and fenders are in place before the approach. 5-10 meters from the intended stop the chain is temporarily locked to have the anchor dig in and check that it is holding before making fast to shore.

Ron –‘’Gladlee of Guernsey’.

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GREEK CRUISING TAX

Message received from the UK Cruising Association