Well what a cracking day’s sail today !

Again a sharp 07:00 departure into a brisk 18 knots, interspersed with bigger gusts. Both the main and Genoa sails had 2 reefs . Today’s distance was about the same, if a little less than yesterday’s, but taking an hour & a half less with our log frequently hitting 6 knots. There was a further bit of excitement and great opportunities for pictures as Nicolas on Syeni, who had left after us, began to catch up and overtake us.

Its not often you get some good action shots of your boat performing well. Its just unfortunate that our version of WordPress does not support video as we have a cracking clip of Camira making way nicely. Just have to make do with the stills. The engine was only used for 15 minutes in the morning and a little more on arrival at Finikas bay, Posidhinio, Siros

Syeni passing us & Nicolas getting some pics

Camira sailing well balanced and quicker than it looks in the still pics

After the partly cloudy passage the day before we awoke to a beautiful sunny day and the 1^st swim of the season – still a bit on the cold side.

Then ashore to introduce Dany & Stella to Posidhonio and the inevitable aperitifs.

The cat was happy to have a lazy day bunting in the sun

We were all up for an early 07:00 start for the 36 mile across the mid Aegean to Mykonos . From the log I see it was 7.5 hours with 3 of them requiring engine assistance. We anchored in Ormos Kalafitas one of the big southerly bays that would no doubt be jumping later on in the summer, but I have to say, I wasn’t overly impressed by the shoreline. Nice enough, but after all the hype about Mykonos, nothing to write home about.

This year 3 friends were heading in the same direction as us across the Aegean.

Dany & Stella on Etioile Fillant and Nicolas on Syeni.

It looked like we could be in company along the way possibly as far as Kithnos .

The plan was for short one night stops at Ikaria & Mykonos then we would head on to Siros & a bit later Kithnos.

Danny had originally planned stopping at Nisos Renia which is beautiful & deserted but with some heavy weather coming in and our description of the anchorage & lack of facilities he decided to head on with us to Siros – which in hindsight was a good move.

Ikaria was a 1^st for us.

Normally we would pass to the south of its massive mountainous bulk without stopping to get some protection from the prevailing northerly winds when heading westwards. This time being early in the season and having southerly winds we sailed past the Fourni islands and then around to the north of Ikaria towards a bay at the NW. The 1^st sail of the season in SW 12 knots.

7 hours & 33 miles saw all three boats anchored in Armenistas bay. The last hour was a bit turbulent but the rest of the passage was good & it was calm in the anchorage.

Having passed Fourni & approaching NE Ikaria

Almost there

At anchor & a peaceful night stil too cold for a dip though !

As per our normal start options due to the unfortunate dog pack still at Samos Marina we either head to Posidonio at one end of Samos or Ormos Marina at the other end at Marathokampos.

This year it’s Ormos. It’s only 15 miles or so along to the west and from the log book I see it was a motor sail in relative calm.

It’s a nice wee place & the facilities & the staff are good. There are a few tavernas ashore but only the pizzeria is open at the moment for food. So no problem there folks !

Lily also gets to go ashore, which may be her last for some while so nice to break her back into the boat life gently after 6 months of freedom.

This year although I made a rod for my back.

By mistake I fed a wee stray with our “stray cat feed” left over from the winter and each night & morning she would totter along & “ask” for her breakfast and dinner. Lily sort of tolerated her so no major clashes.

Stephan the guy who runs the marina for Aris regularly organises a BBQ and invites all the crews along. For a small fee he arranges the food. As it was early in the season only 4 boat crew were at this early offering but very good it was as usual.

They ARE happier than they all look ! lol

A nice hassle free start to 2024-2025

As well as refitting the rigging, sails, bimini, summer spray hood, cushions, mattresses and the never ending paraphernalia that it’s hard to imagine a small 31 ft boat can hold, we had the house to contend with.

Now, Louise being Louise, likes to leave the house better than she finds it and this year into the bargain we had to cut at least the immediate  grass as Christos who is a bit unwell would not be around for his last minute tart up of the garden and general maintenance of the pool etc.

So we were quite busy each day but had time for a few final extracurricular activities as well.

Nicolas arrived back on the 29^th March and we usually arrange to have a BBQ but his & our timescales this year dictated it was not possible before he launched in Vathi & went to Ormos Marina.

We had the usual Tepai party whereby he would visit the house for dinner & I would complete his Greek boat tax application for him on line, and we found time to visit our “new” Greek taverna in Pythagorio for lunch.

As part of our boat clear out I had, not before time, replaced our lifejackets and Louise did a health & safety test of the old one by jumping in the pool. The video is great but we aren’t able post it on the blog.

It worked though even after all that time so the remaining one that was in better condition was donated to Nicolas who had none !

She also used the last of her spa days getting a pedicure.

Danni & Stella had invited us all to a Swiss Fondue afternoon on their boat in Samos Marina. It coincided with my birthday that I hoped I had managed to keep under the radar, but unfortunately not!

Fondue, birthday cake & my present – a new torch that fits perfectly

Finally, Mark & his friend Mike arrived 2 days before we left and we arranged to meet for some beers in Marcos both nights. They are only here for a quick fit out but hopefully we will meet up later in the season.

Think that’s about it so …….

End of blog 2023-2024