We departed N Cyprus mid October 2023 with the intention of returning in early March 2024. It’s always good to have plans for options B, C, and D in place. Our house in Delaware was sold early November and while living in rented accommodation in Lewes, DE we viewed several houses in Oriental, NC; the sailing capital of NC.

A glimpse inside the detached garage where most of our belongings were stored for the past 5 years (yes, it is a snake skin dangling from the garage door opener!) and the rental house where we sorted through it all (and did A LOT of washing).

Our son and his family live in Southern Pines, NC. An offer we made on a post and beam house was accepted but we pulled out of the purchase at the last moment after viewing the house during a mild nor’easter as the path to the dock and much of the garden were flooded. Do we, don’t we – buy another house, leave all our gear in storage, or head back to the Med? We chose the former as we wanted a base, albeit in the US. After more trips to NC we purchased a house in the Cypress Landing development in Chocowinity, NC; reasonably close to Scott and in a good community, with a swimming pool, golf course, 200 boat marina, sailing club, an active social program, etc. Our base was thus established and after living in the house for a month we flew back to N Cyprus, via Kent, in late April, almost two months behind schedule.

Our new home in Chocowinity, NC with its marina and multi-function clubhouse about a mile from our house. It felt so good to welcome Scott and the boys under our roof.

On April 30 Lady M was lifted out of the water and placed on stands on the hard for 30 days in Karpaz Gate Marina (KGM). Friends, Ian and Janine, very kindly had regularly kept an eye on Lady M over the winter while she was in the water.

Our wonderful friends, Ian, Janine and Lucy who kept a keen eye on Lady M over the winter months in our absence.

Lady M’s Coppercoat which had been applied in 2016 seemed to be losing its effectiveness. When in Turkey in September we had purchased sufficient Coppercoat antifouling to apply 5-7 coats to the hull, below the water line. But first we had to sand down the previous application, which took about 3 days (54 ft is a lot of boat).

Lady M (with her dirty bottom) being lifted. Fortunately most of the growth came off with power washing but we still had to sand off all the remaining calciferous deposits, the oxidized Coppercoat and old antifouling on the lead keel ….. a tough job, which is probably responsible for Howard’s back pain. Three coats of 2-component epoxy primer were then applied on the lead keel and allowed to cure before applying Coppercoat.

Mike and Deb, Janine, Jonathan, and Hope applied the Coppercoat while Howard mixed the resin, hardener, and copper powder (~39kg). The port side, while in the shade, was completed one day (6 hours, non stop, multiple coats one after the other while the previous coat was still slightly tacky) and the starboard side two days later. After completing multiple other tasks, with Hope doing much of the hard lifting, on May 29 Lady M was back in the water.

The team in action…. We couldn’t have done it without them.
Before and after photos of the bow-thruster tunnel
After 5 days of curing, the yard moved the stands so we could apply Coppercoat to the patches and other areas that weren’t included in the initial application. Then a quick burnish using fine wet and dry sandpaper, antifoul the prop and replace the anodes, and she was ready to splash.
Once in the slings, Hope managed to apply some antifouling to the patches on the keel that had been resting on blocks. The 300 ton crane was more than up to the task of moving our 32 ton Lady M but was the only method of moving boats in the yard, meaning the boats were spaced well apart.

KGM and associated 5-star hotel is a very sociable place, with yachties of many different nationalities, but primarily British. We often gathered between 5:00 and 8:00pm when drinks are 2 for the price of 1.

We often had the indoor pool to ourselves, a great way to get some gentle exercise and cool off (back pain or not). The sunset photo was taken during Happy Hour

However, because of its location one needs access to a car. It’s about a 1.45 hour drive to Ercan airport, flights only from Turkey. We managed to view some of the sites in N Cyprus, but most of the car trips to initially Famagusta and then Girne/Kyrena were taking Howard to hospitals/consultants to try and resolve his back pain issues.

A few sights around N. Cyprus

After an X-ray in Famagusta and 10 days of pain killer and muscle relaxant medications, with no resultant relief, we went with Brian and Tracy to see a consultant in Girne. Brian had previously had knee and back surgery with him. Both Turkey and N Cyprus are renowned for ’medical tourism’, with modern equipment and well trained doctors.

Enjoying an English breakfast with Brian and Tracy after one of our doctor visits.

Following an MRI ($96) surgery was recommended, which could have been scheduled for last week. However, after reviewing the MRI report with Scott and our nephew Doug, an orthopedic surgeon, we decided to head back the US for a second opinion. So here we are, back in Chocowinity, following a two day trip. Yesterday, after a visit to the local ’Urgent Care’ Howard should be receiving a referral to a neurosurgeon, within the next few days.

The compression fracture in his back, which we put down to using an orbital sander to sand the bottom of the hull, while sitting on a wooden block with the sander above his head, should hopefully heal itself within the next 4-8 weeks. Other issues with his back we need to resolve following consultation with the neurosurgeon.

Understandably, we have had to put our sailing adventures on hold while the health issues are sorted out. We hope to head back to Cyprus in September or October, and probably explore some of the south eastern Turkish coast while we are there. Lady M will be staying in KGM over the winter, while we will be returning to the US. March 2025 should see us back on the boat in order to set sail for the Adriatic early in the season.

Hopefully, there will be another blog later this year when we cruising the eastern Turkish coast.

Have an enjoyable summer and stay well.