Drama at sea!

In my official capacity as chairperson and founding member of the BBC (beach bed club), I've been busy testing the beach beds at the Surf Camp near Datca. There are 10 beds there with parasols 2 metres from the waters edge. They are all in good order with a comfortable cushion, a short walk from the bar and the facilities. The camp is situated at Gebekum (pregnant sand) and the bay either side consists of protected areas of outstanding natural beauty. The sand is volcanic and has floating stones which are traced back to a massive volcanic eruption in the med thousands of years ago. Behind the beach there are dunes, home to many rare and exotic plants, insects, birds and reptiles. The sea constantly washes up amphora as this area once produced wine that was exported all over the med. The beach and dunes are mostly protected by a rocky reef although sadly the company that originally set up this camp removed some of these rocks to facilitate the launching of windsurfers.
So of course this is where my other half likes to spend his time with his little band of international windsurfing buddies. We have been meeting them there for years, some camp there in tents or camper vans and others like us have holiday homes in Datca and travel there each day. Most seem to be there again this year and report that the wind has been super for the last month. This has put the wind up Matt (so to speak) because usually when he arrives somewhere and they say that, the wind usually drops. but so far so good and he is a happy chappy - well almost.
On Wednesday there was an incident that I suppose in the worst case scenario could have left me husbandless! I was on sunbed number 2 and oblivious to the shinanagins at sea because I had just discovered they had wifi on the beach so was busy reading the Mail online. There were all sorts of interesting things on there such as when will the royal baby arrive and how the queen wants it to hurry up. It is supposed to be one of my jobs to keep an eye on Matt but quite honestly it is difficult because there are quite a few of them, mostly men and they all sail backwards and forwards half way to Symi (Greek Island). Then every now and again the wind changes and every one rushes back in and changes their equipment and sails so it really is quite hard to spot him. Also I have never mastered the art of using binoculars, Matt says it is because I am a woman but I just find them very uncomfortable. There are plenty of them out at sea and there is a rescue boat. All just as well really as Matt needed them on Wednesday. His mast broke, which of course they shouldn't do as when you are half way to Symi causes a few probvlems. He faced a long swim back and the decision of whether or not to abandon his kit which of course is expensive. Thankfully another windsurfer was near and noticed his problem and alerted the rescue chap who sped out and picked him up. So all was well - but I missed it all. So now he has purchased a new mast and decided it might be an idea to replace the boom as well. Flipping expensive but there you go. It's all my fault for buying him a windsurfer as a wedding present 30 years ago!


There are 10 beds for me to test at this beach, they are rarely used much as most people who visit this beach are too busy sailing. So really it is my duty to sit there - somebody has to do it.





Forgot to mention that before hitting the beach we strolled around the Wednesday farmer's market' Here are a few purchases'