We realised it would need something quite draconian
To drag us four friends from the South Ionian
Where the lure of Cephalonia called each year
And Ithaca and Meganissi’s charms were clear
But we’d started to be beset by wanderlust
And venture further afield we knew we must
So we canvassed all our friends, the weird and quirky
And decided eventually to head for Turkey
We were a trepidatious little clan
As first we set down in Dalaman
But our fears began to melt away
Once we set eyes on Orhaniye bay
No sooner were we off the bus
Than Silar came to greet us
It was clear he would be kept in check
When we met our skipper, dear Ipek
We could tell there would be fun and laughter
But that we would be well looked after
So we’d seen our new boats, met Ipek and Silar
But what of the others on the flotilla?
Would they be fun? Or as everyone dreads
Would they be weird folk with two heads?
Of course not! Mind we’d not yet met
Our dear friend Peter from Somerset!
“They call me Wurzel!” we wondered why?
Long-suffering Joy let out a sigh
“You’ll soon find out,” she seemed to say
“By the end of your two-week holiday”
But Peter, of course, turned out top-notch
And showed a penchant for Tommy’s scotch
This holiday then would see some drinking
Let’s hope it was only drinks that we were sinking!
Silar’s punch surely set the tone
After which, no one was alone
As on the nectar we all gorged
Tongues were loosened, friendships forged
It came as a tiny shock
That the briefings were held at nine o’clock!
At early mornings we drew the line
So perfected rising at five to nine
And eschewing our normal airs and graces
We showed the world our ‘just-woken’ faces
Some days the winds were very light
Some days the breeze got up at night
But we soldiered on, ‘neath the blazing sun
To bays with tavernas owned by Ogun
Or Maradonna, Sailor’s Paradise
So beautiful it’s worth visiting twice
In Datça, how we had to laugh
When visiting the Turkish bath
Left to sweat on a slab, then exfoliated
There was no point getting agitated
Lathered and soaped and massaged with oil
We left feeling pampered, just like a royal
No bay we found was too remote
For the little man in the ice-cream boat
Or the lady with trinkets and Turkish delight
The firewood woman was quite a sight
No point expecting a dish of the day
We soon settled in to mixed meze
Then chicken or lamb, octopus or squid
All fresh and tasty and just a few quid
On this holiday, Martin finally got his wish
After years of trying, he caught two fish
And no sooner were they on the reel
Than he’d turned them into a tasty meal
Martin-no-fish, his nickname now gone forever
Martin-two-fish feels proud, and very clever
In Tim and Linda we spotted a trait
Of turning up everywhere just a tad late
And My Song, I don’t mean to be rude
But how did you store all of James’s food?
Getting in dinghies was sent to try us
Just ask them on Agios Nikolaos
The margin for error is fairly slim
And the beach party saw an unscheduled swim!
The swimming award goes to Geolina
Carolyn the mermaid, you should have seen her
In the water at first light
And still taking dips late into the night
I’d best not talk about my friend Sue
Because I see her the whole year through
But I hope she’ll take on the chin
The photo of her with her curlers in!
Now sadly, our lovely flotilla ends
Leaving memories, and perhaps some new friends
And I’m sure I speak for all gathered here
That we’d like to give a little cheer
Thank you Ipek and Silar, if fair winds prevail
We may join you next year for another sail
You made this all go so very well
And really helped Turkey cast its spell!
©Joanne Wallen Ross
