It was our first time away from Onward for more than a month in the 8 years we have owned her. We decided to spend a winter back in Canada and settled in Nanaimo, B.C. for 6 months. Our stop overs in Toronto to visit with our children and grandchild also helped to break up the long 16 hours of flying time.

Onward was quietly awaiting our return and had behaved all winter. We were so surprised to see how clean she was on our return, we thought our neighbour must have washed her. But we soon learned that it was a very wet winter in southern Turkey. We were pleased to see that all our systems started just like a Swiss watch upon our return.

Onward's winter home, Finike Setur Marina. This photo was taken one day we hiked nearby.

We spent a few weeks doing regular maintenance such as waxing the deck and Trevor replaced the water heater element and repaired the wind indicator at the top of the mast.



Look way up!




Trevor repairing wind indicator

Our big project for the Spring was a new replacement dodger and new bimini. Trevor spent a lot of time designing the new bimini so that we would not have support bars going to the deck.



Jean was busy cleaning the existing stainless before the new canvas dodger arrives.



Suleymann putting the finishing touches on our new dodger.



We were able to have the new stainless hand rail and bars for the bimini made by Mehmet at the shop in the marina yard and all the canvas work was completed by Suleymann who also had a shop just outside the marina. Trevor worked alongside Mehmet.

Mehmet polishing stainless



Trevor working in shop with Mehmet


Trevor is pleased with Step 1 - new stainless handle to help support bimini



Suleymann involved us in every step ensuring we were satisfied. His English was fairly good but he repeatedly said, "slowly, slowly; montage, montage; control, control". When we look back on this project that is what we'll remember.

Our finished dodger and new bimini (with no deck supports), a very successful project.


We returned to all our regular stops in town. Fresh bread was always a big hit with us and the staff were always smiling and welcoming.

Jean baking



And for those that think we lead a life of leisure, there is the mundane "house work" to be done as well.

Laundry day is always time consuming. My washer needs to be manually filled and drained using the hose and items manually "spun" by wringing on our radar arch.








And of course, there is always vacuuming to be done too, windows to be washed etc etc.


We use propane for the BBQ and stove. It was time for refilling our tanks so while in town Trevor orders a propane tank for delivery to the boat. Thirty minutes later it is delivered on this OLD motorscooter adapted with the tank holder.

Trevor laughed as he thought of the irony of paying online via credit card on the spot while the Turkish man had to push start his 50 year old motorscooter down the dock. A bit of old with the new!




Enjoying some down time


Our neighbours, Wolfgang and Martina from Germany.

We also welcomed a Turkish couple to dinner one evening. He had previously had us to his home for dinner. When we went to his home, his wife was miles away welcoming a new grandchild and his son could not believe he had cooked dinner for guests. He told us it was definitely a first so we were honoured.

Showing off photos of the new grandchild