This round lump of marble separated from the mainland by a shallow sea strait enjoyed some power and prosperity in ancient times from Thasian gold mines. Today its prosperity is based on the natural beauty of the island: its sandy beaches, pine clad hills and ancient monuments attract a growing number of tourists each year. Us amongst them.
Our planned passage would be to Limenaria on the south west coast. An overnight passage of about 55 miles. It took us 13 hours with over half of that sailing.
Having rowed ashore for our take away pizza we left Mirini, Lemnos at 20:30.
There was a beautiful sunset over Mount Athos. We expected easterlies around midnight just as we passed the lee of the north of Lemnos and I note from the log that at 00:30 we were indeed under a reefed main & foresail. Around 06:00 we had big seas on the beam that did not lessen until we were at our waypoint 3 miles SE of Limenaria.
On Monday morning at 09:45 we arrived. Inside the harbour a boat was just leaving so we slotted into his berth alongside. Lily was crazy to get off the boat and jumped before we even had the passarelle boarding ladder sorted ……… more later!!
Harbour entrance & Limenaria
We went for a sleep. You are always tired after a night passage. We awoke to find Lily had arrived back on board with her paws caked in melting tar. A fraught day followed. We tried to get most of it off with washing up liquid. Apparently tar is very toxic to cats if they ingest it, and it can be fatal. Louise managed to track down a vet and persuaded him to let us come along immediately not wanting to wait hours until he opened in the evening. It required an anaesthetic to knock her out and cut out, shave then clean the mess. The vet was great .He didn’t think there would be further problems other than tender paws but we would stay within reach over the next couple of days just in case. It took her 8 hours to start to come around. Guess who’s confined to quarters!
Limenaria was nothing special. We found it dusty and a bit tacky, but pleasant all the same
Limenaria
On the Tuesday the plan was to move around to Scala Marion a wee cove not far from Limenaria. We anchored just off the beach behind the breakwater. It was quite exposed but only light winds were expected and the anchor was well in, and it was lovely ……… that was until a group with a ghetto blaster arrived at 19:00 You would not have believed the volume not to mention the crap music. Even the other beach users were annoyed, very unusual for the Greeks as noise is just part of their culture. I have a video but unfortunately no pics.
We left and headed for Skala Kallirakhis, hoping to anchor outside the harbour but there was just too much weed to try anchoring. Our only option now was Ormos Prinos but it was now already sunset and we would arrive after dark.
Finally at 21:30 we rounded the shoal water of Ak Prinos and anchored in the bay just north of the ferry terminal. A hotel nearby was also playing disco but at least it was 80’s stuff. Louise thoroughly enjoyed it texting her pal Sheena each time a track reminded her of their holidays in Greece in the 80’s. I was even able to sneak in some more wine than usual. Lol
All in all it’s been an eventful introduction to Thassos.
Ormos Prinos
We will say here another day perhaps and then decide what’s what.
Yipee. WordPress finally gave me access again!
Lol “That Darn Cat” (have you ever seen the film?) When I was young Mum used to get the tar off my feet with butter.
Shame all the weed wasn’t in the same place as the ghetto blaster, you might not have minded then. Ha Ha wee joke 🙂 xx
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