Saturday 25 August 2012

A chance meeting with goats and fish

Deciding to have a "weekend a way" we sailed off from the safety of Fethiye to Kappi Creek.  A weekend away from the eternal list of things to do or the two walks to find the tax office in 39 degrees!!

It was only a 15nm sail and we thought we 'd try putting up other sails, like the spinnaker. Absence of wind meant another 2 hour motor so the sail stayed lashed to the deck. I was a bit concerned about launching the spinnaker; it's a light wind sail and it is enormous.

We finally reached Kappi Creek. Anchoring was  another learning curve. Lots of firsts on this trip. Steve turned Pavlov around into the wind while trying to keep control of the bow, which kept blowing off. We finally anchored. We did have to tie a line to the shore to keep Pavlov secure.  Conveniently other sailers had left lines tied to a rock via a crevice and with the help of a passing snorkeller we too attached our selves to land.

We finally took to the water again. The water was clear and devoid of much life.

Steve met some young Turkish boys on the pebbly beach nearby. Later these boys called to us from a small boat, while we were taking our normal afternoon siesta on board Pavlov,  to escape the heat of the day.

"Hot bread in the morning and honey maybe, you would like to buy?" they asked.  Naturally we said yes.

Later in the afternoon we again went for a swim. We saw on the shore the boys and their families. It appeared that they were cooking. They beckoned for us to come to the beach to join them. I felt rather underdressed as the two women, the mother of the boy, and their friend were clothed in long skirts and long sleeve tops.

We managed to clamber up the rocks and were offered tea. It wasn't long before the women gestured for me to join them. Here I was offered freshly fried fish, bread and salad.

The young man, Mustafa, translated their questions. "Why are you here?  Are you retired? What did you do and do you have family who were ANZACS? "

A pet goat insisted on joining us. It would not stay away from the food. The women threw stones at it,  then fed it until the young man 's father dragged the goat away and tied it to a tree. Not to be stopped it ate through the rope and joined us again.

Wow what an experience!  Just what I was hoping for. Real engagement.

Steve looked on as I was fed the fish! Lucky me.

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