David's Diary: Monday, July 7, 2003

Mersincik to Kuyulu Buku, Turkey

We left Mersincik around 07:00 this morning. Even though it was early, the wind was already blowing twenty knots. We motor sailed into the wind until we rounded Knidos where we could reach along with reefed sails. We sailed all morning and after lunch the wind was blowing 25 knots with gusts over 35 knots. The autohelm could not cope with the fierce gusts. After a couple of accidental roundups, I hand-steered through the afternoon. I could see the gusts coming across the water and headed Dragonsinger down ten degrees before a gust hit. As a gust heeled Dragonsinger over it rounded us up onto our original course.

Forest Fire

Our friends on Linnea had told us of a great restaurant and dock in Keci Buku which is where we were planning on going. Just as we arrived at Keci Buku a huge forest fire broke out on the hillside above where we were hoping to dock. We circled around for a bit watching to see if the forest fire was brought under control. As we watched the fire almost doubled in size.

At Anchor in Kuyulu Buku

Knowing that the fire was not going to be put out for some time, I got out Rod Heikell's Pilot Guide and started doing more reading. I decided to head to Kuyulu Buku which was just opposite the entrance to Keci Buku. Before long we were anchored off the beach. The strong wind which we had struggled with all day was blanketed by the mountains and trees next to Kuyulu Buku making the bay a peaceful place to stop. We all went for a swim to cool down after our long day. I made dinner and we enjoyed it in the cockpit as we watched the forest fire in Keci Buku as it continued to burn away.