Kalkan Hearts of Oak
From our Maritime correspondent, Roger Jolly*

Kalkan - Friday 30 July 2010 – 13:00

After 13 weeks at sea, the yacht Intention began the final leg of this fantastic voyage from Fethiye to the welcoming shore of Kalkan.

To our intrepid mariners, Barry and Andrew, the starting point in Holland had become a fading memory – the daily rum ration aboard can have that effect on sailors.

The throng of 30 well wishers (and a few confused holidaymakers) lined the jetty wall, peering out into the shimmering horizon between Snake Island and the coast line, everyone desperate to be the first to spot the tip of the mast or a billowing sail.

Cries went up, somewhat prematurely, as those of us with aging eyesight mistakenly cheered a cargo ship crossing the bay.

As the hours ticked by in the hot sun, the expectation and anticipation grew to the extent that many were forced to visit the Indigo Beach Club bar, to maintain fluid levels.

Barry’s wife Lynne, all the while maintained her vigil, alone on a rock gazing out to sea and wondering if the homecoming dinner of beans on toast would be to his liking.

10 weeks, and 3 hours late they were spotted. The onshore breeze and peerless navigational skills had brought them home. As they drew ever closer to the harbour a celebratory orange flare was discharged from the boat, resulting in a number of local pleasure craft attending to offer assistance.

Within minutes of docking the boys were ashore hugging and kissing loved ones, and in some cases wives.  Shouts of ‘‘Hello Sailor" were discouraged.

The journey was logged by the cargo brought to shore, wine from France, beer from Portugal and Cava from Spain.  Both men looked fit and healthy, this in spite of Andrew’s addiction to ice cream.

[Editor - What?  Where can you get a 99 with a flake in the middle of the ocean?]

Barry and Andrew should be justifiably proud of their achievements.  We on the harbour, and their many friends here in Kalkan have nothing but admiration for the two men, and we rejoice in their safe return.

*KTLN would like to point out that our marine correspondent is not, in fact, the cabin boy, on board the Intention.

Below: The reception committee gathers on the harbour wall.