Friday 13th 08:00 anchor up and heading back to Lakki.
There was a good steady wind from the NW of 20 knots, gusting more, and a perfect direction for a brisk downwind sail to Leros about 22 miles away.
The waves were a lot bigger than forecast but no matter as we were surfing down them in the same direction. However that all came to an end around 10:00 when the wind died to only 4 knots which was not expected, leaving us with a very lumpy sea and an uncomfortable 2 knots SOG, so unfortunately the sail we were looking forward to came to an end and the engine was on.
We arrived to a very busy anchorage presumably all hiding from this strange weather. Unusually it took us two attempts to set the anchor but in the end we were more or less where we normally stop. It’s a wee bit close if it goes southerly but the holding is great.
George & Barbara and Mike’s boats were already here a few days since.
G&B’s lovely Bowman – Pipe Dream
Mike’s big Moody was even closer in than us. Fingers crossed for not a lot of south wind, pointless that proved though – it is Friday 13th after all ! and yes it did go south.
Stern facing into the shore but relatively calm at the moment
We were OK as you can see from the night-time picture, almost right across from Souvlaki , I could have shouted my order in, but psychologically you are always happier when not on a lee shore.
Mike could almost have stepped of the small jetty and on to his boat ! LOL
We thought it was going to be a quick provisioning, fill up with water, laundry, supermarket etc. (AND pizza) before our mini passage down to Symi.
It was not to be, the weather kept us, and everyone else, pinned down for 11 days.
You’ll now understand my comments in an earlier post about time spent here this year.
We had a few more nights out with George, Mike & Barbara.
Mike & George on “Pipe Dream” Beer ’o clock before dinner.
We hired a bike to visit Allindi , on the other side of the island, where there is a new pontoon, as yet not officially opened, but as is the norm in Greece a number of boats are already in residence. There would be enough space but it is just off the main road so preferably for Lily one of the buoys purportedly owned by To Steki , a taverna on the waterfront would be better.
We went in for a drink to find out the situation. The owner indeed have a buoy that we were welcome to use but he had not serviced it this year and recommended in calm weather only. The Taverna itself gets a great write up so we may well visit at some point.
Allindi Bay Views
To Steki Taverna
On a sadder point when out walking on day we happened upon a wee kitten lying in the middle of the road up near the back of the town. We think she was blind & dehydrated. We left her some food and water and the next day returned armed with newly purchased gardening gloves, a box and a free loan of a scooter from the lady in our scooter place. We had planned to try to capture her and take her to the vet, but she was nowhere to be found. Hopefully her mother found her & is looking after her.
Watching Taxiarchis ( the local bulk carrier) slowly making her way between the anchored vessels to berth at the quayside and the big Blue Star ferry doing the same at the other side was a regular voyeur sport.
Taxiarchis – gently manoeuvring alongside
Blue Star reversing in on the other hand doesn’t take prisoners
On a beautiful walk out towards the distant entrance to the bay there is a sombre plaque reminding us this was not always so serene a place.
One of the positives for Lily here is the supermarket stocks her favourite treats which she goes absolutely crazy for at her feeding times.
“Kalimera – is that the pet shop, can you send some treats these B’s don’t feed me”
This is her stock of goodies – belying the above plea, but now I have nowhere to stow my goodies.
