Summer hots up

As July progresses we still have high winds and the temperatures are getting hotter. We couldn't sail on the 13th so we packed up our things and decided to go to Monastir Beach which is a few Km away on the other side of Altinkum. We wondered if the wind and waves would be less there. It does work that way sometimes, but not on this occasion. However it was nice to have a different vista to look at.

The following day Yo, Nigel and Craig came over for tea, and to get a preview of the DVD we made of our attempts at kneel boarding and water skiing. Our temporary neighbours, another delightful family, went home and Lucy and her brood of two more adults and 8 children arrived over the road at their villa for a month.

Bill paying turns up with boring regularity and Monday was the day. Not that it mattered a lot, still too windy for sailing. In fact we had to make another anchor chain as the boat was being tossed from pillar to post and we were afraid that with only one attachment it was very vulnerable. The second is an insurance. Gives us peace of mind.

On the Wednesday we were able to get out on the briny. We had a lovely morning and decided to quit while we were ahead. The wind was becoming gusty. We put the boat away and went visiting several friends and neighbours. In the evening, we thought we would prepare the anchor and it's rope, as well as making it a bag to protect the boat deck from damage by the metal of the anchor. We had this whim to "park" the boat close to a people-free part of the coast and just relax on our own, go for a swim and just crash. We will probably have to wait for another day of winds in our comfort zone.

That came quicker than we thought, Friday in fact. We took the boat across the bay and onward, further than ever before. We found a nice little part of the coast and no one else in sight, so, for the first time in our maritime history, we dropped anchor, and went swimming. Then came the problem. We had thought enough in advance to buy a little ladder that hooks over the side to enable us to climb aboard. However, we hadn't reckoned on it's little legs collapsing every time we tried to climb back in. What a farce .... there's Sue pushing on my posterior as I try to get one leg over (please forgive the expression). I finally managed to flop into the bottom of the boat and then we had the problem of getting Sue back on board. A lot of huffing puffing, collapsing ladder, bad language, and plop ... she was in. We need to have a serious look at that ******* ladder.

We weren't in the mood for cooking that evening so we had our evening meal at the Green Garden Restaurant. Phil, Lynn and visiting family turned up, so we had company for the duration of our meal.

Saturday was market day, so we made a very quick dash up there, whipped round the few stalls for the fresh fruit and veg we needed, and dashed back, pausing only for David to have a quick haircut (there being no queue) and to pick up our post. Nice surprise there. UK taxman had given us a refund. The rest of the day we spent on the beach, "chilling out". Probably not an appropriate use of the English language in this heat.

Sunday Yo and Nigs came round for a brunch of egg, bacon and sausages , and then, as the wind was being kind to us, we all went down to the beach, and David took first Nigel and then Yo out sailing. We all had a great time and finished off the day by consuming some Viennetta, and a drink or two.

Today the temperature topped 50' and even constant dipping in the sea wasn't enough. The wind was very hot, so no respite there, and we couldn't get out on the boat as this burning breeze was at force 5 ... much too much for us novice sailors. We finally capitulated, and dived back home into the cool, cool zone of the air-conditioning. Gave us time to catch up with this blog.

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