Easy, As She Goes

Crews Letter #2008 02 Easy, As She Goes

Hi,

It has been an interesting 2 weeks. We have spent a lot of time waiting, not unusual, sleeping (call it jet lag), and getting ready to sail. After the adventure of dealing with American Airlines losing all our luggage, and dealing with the jet lag that accompanies long trips east, Fred found that he had an abscessed tooth and got to try out a Turkish dentist. He found a good one and had that problem taken care of with a root canal. The infection could account for the aches and pains he had put down to moving and travel. He is better now.

We had no problem getting Perception in the water. Anker did a great job with the winter repairs and had her ready to go. We actually launched about 2000 (8:00 pm) and spent the night beside the launch area. We were told the marina was full and we would have to berth on Bravo pontoon, which entails a loong walk back to main area. By spending the night where we did, our buddy, Ramasan, managed to slip us in a great spot as soon as another boat left in the morning. It is close to everything and not downwind of the wash area. We are now home on Hotel pontoon.

This year for the first time the mast and jib foil were filthy. Fred entertained a trip up the mast to wash it, but after another trip up to the second spreader (about half way), he decided to get someone younger and lighter to do it. Anker had everyone busy, but Moby Sails knew someone that would do it. Of course the wind decided to blow very hard the day it was supposed to happen so we had to wait another day. When he did the job, it took about 2 hours and really looked a lot better. Fred was able to clean the foil from the deck. Now the deck had to be cleaned and polished. That is Anker's job and every one they had was still busy on another job. So we wait another day.... The young man who came did the best job ever, but it took him a

day and a half. That meant 4 days total because one was Sunday and one had him off on another job. Oh, well, Perception is clean and beautiful again.

We are almost ready. We laugh at night at how lackadaisical we are this year. Jobs that took a lot of work and time seem almost easy. Time to find something else to do. We will probably leave tomorrow for the rug weaving co-op in Orhania where we will pick up a couple of small rugs for the boat. We have had rugs left over from Paris up to now, but they have all worn out. This will give us a chance to test Turkish rugs before spending a lot on large ones for the house.

Then on north to Bodrum, Kusadasi, and possibly Ayvalik before crossing into Greece and coming south again to Athens to meet a couple from Dallas on July 4. They will spend 4 days with us and then we will start back toward Turkey to meet a Canadian family in September. Fred and Nadide are already talking Marmaris Race Week again so it will probably be mid-November before we return to Dallas. But, nothing is sure so we will see....

Hope you are all well and having a great time as we are.

Phyl

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