Compared to some other voyages, our crew enjoyed a gentle introduction to sailing today. Crew members had the chance to sleep off long journeys of the day before, and after breakfast we had another evacuation drill. After that, we spent the rest of the morning getting some vital sailing training; getting a practice of using the ropes, and the language. Many crew members also took the opportunity to climb up the rigging!
After a tasty couscous lunch, it was time to anticipate leaving Istanbul.
There was some confusion about passports, and the order in which ships from our regatta were supposed to leave the port, but we did eventually leave in style! There were crowds of onlookers and a band to usher us on our way.
We spent the next few hours making our way from Istanbul, on engine power, making across the Sea of Marmara. As I write, at 10.45pm, we are travelling along towards where the next leg of the race will start on Tuesday morning.
Roxanne (on the bridge) Fwd Stbd