Friday 16th August 2024
Heading Oinousses
It was blustery in Scala Loutra as we readied for departure.
We left at 08:20 and once clear of the sheltered channel I see from the log at 10:30 we had winds of 21 knots from the NE at first swinging to the NW later. We used the Genoa on its own and “there was a bit of a sea but not too bad “. I don’t know how many miles to this point as the speed log had joined its companions in giving up the ghost, expected though, as the cable had been suspect for a while now. Still a pain so estimated distances only along the way from now on.
I also see at 13:30 we had a bit of excitement. In a gust of 40 plus knots we couldn’t get the sail in and we must have been coursing along at some speed with the amount of water over the gunwales on the port side. However after a bit of swearing, grunting and pain we managed to tame the beast. “ We need a proper solution for this, definitely this time ! “
It was an exhilarating days sailing seeing us arrive at our normal anchorage , a small bay just north of the port. Waypoint 9
Oinousses, and the small jump across to Xios a week later.
It was very busy with other yachts and about 3 large motor yachts but we managed to squeeze in , as did Marizio & Eleanor who arrived sometime after us. No sooner had his anchor gone down he got himself invited onto the largest motor cruiser in the bay, LOL.
Views to and from the anchorage at various times, Lily on the boom in the moonlight
Views from the corner taverna, on this occasion I had dinghied across for a carry out
Sundry other pics from Oinousses
Thursday 22nd August 2024
Having spent nearly a week in Oinousses, where it was relatively easy to dinghy into to the port to the free fresh water machine we headed across to Xios Marina where water collection is a right royal pain, being a walk to the next wee fishing harbour, if the public park garden tap isn’t working at the top of the hill! Yet again the Gin & Tonic side of this life rears its head.
We like Xios and so does Lilly because she gets a run about. Normally we berth alongside but there were no spaces! So we took a space on the pontoon in front of Paki’s using the anchor to go stern to hoping the bottom of the harbour wasn’t foul with debris & chains.
Marizio & Eleanor were here as well and although they were alongside they moved next to us the next day.
We had nearly two weeks in Xios. Long walks (even me!) and exercising for Louise while I paid a visit to an Ophthalmologist to get my IOP checked. All of our favourite haunts and tavernas were duly visited.
Xios harbour & one of our favourite tavernas for lunch
We took it turn about inviting Marizio & Eleanor aboard Camira for dinner & vice versa. Except vice versa also meant dinner on Camira due to a broken table on his boat, using Camira’s plates & Camira’s wine ! LOL .At least he did bring the spaghetti.
Marizio & Eleanor
Worried about using the anchors Marizio was keen to lift them.He had found what looked like semi decent lazy lines attached to the pontoon. So the next day between us we lifted both boats anchors replacing them with the lazy lines hoping that they would be OK. It would make it far easier when we were leaving. It involved me diving down and freeing the anchors and Marizio in his dinghy hauling them up.
Anchor retrieval
On leaving we were aware again this might be the last visit. Pity we didn’t see Pakis or Jimmy this visit either.
So good bye Xios
