Strangers in the night . . . .

We had a couple of days anchored at Eregli where we were able to top up with fuel and water. The second night there we were treated to an interesting display of thunder, lightning and heavy rain which effectively prevented any real sleep. Next day we pottered across to Akcakoca to meet up with Paul and Linda where we got a berth alongside the fishing quay.
They were hoping to catch the 15.00 bus from Istanbul but having raced across the city and got to the bus station in time they found it was fully booked. The next one, two hours later was also fully booked so they had to wait until 19.00 which, as the bus ride was 5 hours was, shall we say, disappointing.
Anyway, eventually, at about 00.30 they arrived at the harbour. A celebratory bottle of local plonk was broached  and eventually we all turned in.

Statues at Akcakoca

Next day after a lazy morning wandering around the rather nice seafront we opted for the full Ramazan Experience and went to a local restaurant and ordered the set meal (5 courses) and waited until the gun went off at sunset to signal to everyone that we could eat. It was a very good meal but really too much food to those of us who had not been fasting all day.

Modern Mosque at Akcakoca

After a late night last night we all decided to turn in early but then round about one a.m. Sue and I were woken by strange noises - someone sneaking about on deck. Then the sound of the hatch, which I rarely bother to lock, being slid open. As I emerged from the stern cabin I was half expecting to find someone in the saloon and wondered what would happen next but the intruder was only peering through the open mainhatch. OK, I thought 'he's not in and he's not getting in without being damaged so I have the advantage'. One thing for sure, I wasn't going to try to go out to him. I considered reaching for the diving knife that I keep near the mainhatch but didn't want to escalate the 'arms race' as his hands were empty so I just shouted at him to clear off. He replied (unhelpfully in Turkish). I repeated my instruction to leave. This seemed to go on for a while before he said, in friendly tones "Good Bye" and left, much to my relief.

I suppose it is surprising that it has never happened before but I will bolt the hatch shut when we are alongside a quay in future.

They say things happen in threes so it should have been no surprise when, yesterday as we were motor-sailing towards Kefken Island that a passing Coastguard boat swung round and ordered us to stop. They launched a RIB and 5 of them came aboard to check our papers. It was all very polite and friendly but a bit of a nuisance as, once stopped, we rolled horribly in the swell.

Anchored in Kefken Adasi - Kefken in the background

We have been anchored at the island overnight. Paul and I went ashore to explore but it's pretty much overgrown so didn't go far and the numerous large white jellyfish prevented us having the swim I had intended. Soon we move on and will be going back through the Bosphorus in two days.