Our crossing to Syria

We made reasonable time on the first half of our passage to Latakia, the main port of Syria, but were then totally becalmed off the northern coast of Cyprus. The timing meant that we were not going to be able to arrive off the Syrian coast before dark (as required) on Wednesday night. We therefore spent the day becalmed, drifting along, swimming and relaxing.

We saw lots of dolphin along the way – in groups of 10-15. The last pod that came to play seemed to have some sort of strange parasitic fish attached to them up to 2 feet long (see photo). They were a different species, much smaller than the usual bottle-nosed variety we normally see. Any marine biologists among you may be able to tell us more about this.

Wednesday evening the wind picked up and continued on the final leg. It was a rough passage the last 70 miles across from the tip of Cyprus. As we approached Latakia at about 08:30 the winds were 20/25 knots making our final mooring in the “Syrian Yacht Club” (basically a concrete quay in a tiny fishing harbour) an interesting arrival.

Nic swimming on our passage to Latakia

Leavıng for Syria

This morning we visited a fabulous cave in Gokkaya Limani with the dinghy. We then made our way around to Finike. On the way we passed an enormous turtle (his shell was at least a meter long) swimming on the surface. We set off for Latakkia, Syria just after 6pm. We have around 275 miles to cover and hope to arrive on Thursday.

Anchored in Gokkaya Limani

After a Sunday lunch at a restaurant we frequented when we were here last year, we motored around to Gokkaya Limani. It’s a stunning anchorage. “Stumpy” the finger is healing well now but it’s still too soon to be immersed in water so my swimming is with a lifering!

Sail to Kekova

We had a cracking sail from Lindos to Kekova…20-25 knots of wind (peak gust recorded 43 knots!). There were some good sized 3/4m waves but Irony took them in her stride. On arrival we couldn’t get the genoa furled in. We had to anchor with 80 sq m of sail flapping. When I winched Nic up the mast he discovered that a whole part of the mechanism was missing. He has ingeniously managed to fix this now by cutting up a plastic breadboard! The repairs have, of course, delayed our departure to Syria but it’s a beautiful spot here.

Leaving Lindos

Heading off from Lindos this afternoon for Kekova on the south Turkish coast. "Stumpy" healing well and out of bandages.

Lindos

Now anchored in Lindos with stunning surroundings and lovely weather. Bill & Pixi from S/Y Intsomi sailed down to visit us for a couple of nights which has been great fun. My hospital visit went well yesterday. They asked to see me again next Thursday to take out the stitches but we are going to try to head off the beginning of next week if it's all healing well. Doctor Nic will take out the stitches!