Getting started

Well, been here two days and I'm beginning to get organised. Arriving at 21.00 Wednesday didn't leave time for anything much but next morning saw me down at the Turkcell shop to get a new data SIM. No-one in the shop spoke English and also didn't seem to know about data SIMs but with my excellent grasp of both the language and all matters concerning computers I soon had them on the right track and was in and out of the place in barely an hour! So I now have internet access.
The fact that I had dropped my dongle in November and damaged it caused a few problems but the deft fingers of the young lady in the shop soon had my dongle working perfectly again . . .

Next the supermarket for a few essentials but a fruitless search for alcohol in there. I have 2.5 litres of gin aboard but since the shops don't sell booze they also don't sell tonic. However, a determined search of the town located a naughty shop that sold booze and tonic so have a few beers and tonic waters aboard at last. Another major hurdle overcome.

Back into town to look for the chandlery that used to be on the marina. Obviously too handy there so they've moved. I have ordered anti-fouling paint, amazingly at the same price as the UK despite being imported. They'll have it on Saturday which will be long before I'm ready for it.

Certainly covering some mileage. Didn't realise this was going to be a walking holiday. Even the showers/loos are about 300 yards away but I'm gradually checking out all the boat's systems and haven't yet found anything not working but there will be. I was particularly worried about the batteries as the small solar panel I had left plugged in last August had failed and the all batteries were completely flat when I returned in November so had to plug the main solar panel in. They seem to be ok but have them on charge just in case.

Rounded the day off with 2 or 3 hours scrubbing and hosing the deck which has removed the top two layers of dirt and grit and bird crap. It needed doing as the yard manager had asked me to take my shoes off when I get off the boat as I was making his yard dirty. Might start on the inside tomorrow as it's nearly as bad.

Friday:  I have a date with the tank manufacturer to take him the pipe fittings he needs. So, ferry back to Pendick, taxi to Tuzla. Driver had to stop 5 times to ask directions and finally found the firm located in a tiny concrete box in a massive tenement-type industrial complex in which, after driving all round the ground floor, he drove up a 45 degree ramp to the next floor and drove round that and finally found them. After he left I found the place was closed! I'd been ringing the bell for ages when a local took pity on me and phoned someone who said they'd be back in 2 hours! Great! I'd agreed this visit by email only yesterday.

Went for a walk . . . . . lotsa factories, very hot, very dusty, very annoyed.
Eventually found somewhere to have lunch then went back. They're there. Hurrah!
They have tack-welded the tank together so I checked it over. Just as well I did. It has a high end and a low end. The low end was low as required but the high end was lower. This is not good, as I pointed out to them. There are not many things one needs from a high end but not being lower than the low end is one of the more important ones. He took a hammer to the tank and promised to make a new panel. We agreed on where the fittings were to be placed - not on the back as he was intending but actually on the front as per the drawings they have had for the past 6 months. All of this without a word of a common language of course, just to make it more fun. They will deliver it on Monday. I hinted at a lift back to the ferry - he phoned me a taxi.
Back at the boat we have had a dust storm it seems and the decks are filthy. It's enough to drive you to drink.