Our sailing season is fast coming to an end we have said
goodbye to the beautiful Greek Ionian Islands, made our way back to Siracusa in
Italy and then on to Malta where we have met up with several friends from Ragusa.
goodbye to the beautiful Greek Ionian Islands, made our way back to Siracusa in
Italy and then on to Malta where we have met up with several friends from Ragusa.
During our last few weeks in the Ionian Isles we met up with
Kevin’s brother and family, they were staying in a villa in Lourdos bay on the
south coast of Cephalonia, unfortunately there were no safe anchorages where we
could leave the boat to visit their villa, and so we moored alongside the town
quay in Argostoli. On our first night there we were visited by a young surly
gentleman from the port police, we were requested to take our passports and
papers to the office within the hour which we duly did. However I can’t say our
experience with them was that pleasant, which was a change from previous
encounters with the port police in Greece who had all been very friendly and
welcoming. To top it all in Argostoli the port police charge from 12 midnight
to 12 midnight the following day meaning we had to pay for two days for a
single overnight stay, mind you it was only 7 euros a night so not expensive.
Kevin’s brother and family, they were staying in a villa in Lourdos bay on the
south coast of Cephalonia, unfortunately there were no safe anchorages where we
could leave the boat to visit their villa, and so we moored alongside the town
quay in Argostoli. On our first night there we were visited by a young surly
gentleman from the port police, we were requested to take our passports and
papers to the office within the hour which we duly did. However I can’t say our
experience with them was that pleasant, which was a change from previous
encounters with the port police in Greece who had all been very friendly and
welcoming. To top it all in Argostoli the port police charge from 12 midnight
to 12 midnight the following day meaning we had to pay for two days for a
single overnight stay, mind you it was only 7 euros a night so not expensive.
It was in Argastoli where we saw several Loggerhead Turtles
close up, apparently in the bay there are supposed to be 25 in total and at
times they swim passed the back of the boat. We saw more turtles here than in
Turtle bay in Zante where their breeding ground is claimed to be.
close up, apparently in the bay there are supposed to be 25 in total and at
times they swim passed the back of the boat. We saw more turtles here than in
Turtle bay in Zante where their breeding ground is claimed to be.
The day after Kevin’s brother arrived we caught the bus and
headed off to Lourdos bay for the day, or possibly two, their villa was set on
the hillside overlooking the bay with an infinity pool that was just so
inviting, even if it was a little cooler than the sea.
headed off to Lourdos bay for the day, or possibly two, their villa was set on
the hillside overlooking the bay with an infinity pool that was just so
inviting, even if it was a little cooler than the sea.
On a couple of occasions Steve Madeline, Sophie and Harry
visited us in Argostoli where we took them out for a sail, the first sail was
to the top of the bay north of Argostoli there Steve and the kids swam ashore whilst Kevin took Madeline in the dingy.
Back on board Kevin set up the main halyard so that Sophie and Harry could
swing off the boat, Kevin decided to have a practice run first to make sure it
was ok, however it was not possible to get a good run of the boat and so he
couldn’t swing far enough away before he started swinging back towards the
boat, the look on his face was a picture.
visited us in Argostoli where we took them out for a sail, the first sail was
to the top of the bay north of Argostoli there Steve and the kids swam ashore whilst Kevin took Madeline in the dingy.
Back on board Kevin set up the main halyard so that Sophie and Harry could
swing off the boat, Kevin decided to have a practice run first to make sure it
was ok, however it was not possible to get a good run of the boat and so he
couldn’t swing far enough away before he started swinging back towards the
boat, the look on his face was a picture.
Our second sailing day took us to the bay just south of
Argostoli, where those of us who had been nominated to undertake the ALS ice
bucket challenge completed our task. Unfortunately we didn’t have access to any
ice and had to settle for a huge bucket of sea water, the bucket was that big
and heavy it took both Kevin and Steve to lift it. Have to say Madeline’s
challenge was the best as the force of the water nearly de-frocked her.
Argostoli, where those of us who had been nominated to undertake the ALS ice
bucket challenge completed our task. Unfortunately we didn’t have access to any
ice and had to settle for a huge bucket of sea water, the bucket was that big
and heavy it took both Kevin and Steve to lift it. Have to say Madeline’s
challenge was the best as the force of the water nearly de-frocked her.
We also tried our hand at synchronised swimming, however it
soon became apparent that none of us could follow the instructions as we
all ended up all taking on different
poses.
soon became apparent that none of us could follow the instructions as we
all ended up all taking on different
poses.
During Steve and Madeline’s second week, they hired a car
and so we arranged to meet them in Sami on the east coast of Cephalonia, we had
heard that a front was coming in and so here was the best place to take
shelter. When we arrived around 1530 it looked as if we had managed to get the
last spot on the inside pontoon. However not long after we arrived there was a
steady stream of boats arriving all trying to get a safe haven, to the point
some boats ended up rafting three abreast. Then at 1700 a large wooden sailing
boat arrived and we thought no chance would that get in, but by moving a few
boats around the port police managed to get it in and moored up.
and so we arranged to meet them in Sami on the east coast of Cephalonia, we had
heard that a front was coming in and so here was the best place to take
shelter. When we arrived around 1530 it looked as if we had managed to get the
last spot on the inside pontoon. However not long after we arrived there was a
steady stream of boats arriving all trying to get a safe haven, to the point
some boats ended up rafting three abreast. Then at 1700 a large wooden sailing
boat arrived and we thought no chance would that get in, but by moving a few
boats around the port police managed to get it in and moored up.
The following day the predicted rain and thunder storm
arrived, which meant most of the day was spent on board, before going out for a
meal in the evening sporting our wet weather gear and brolli’s.
arrived, which meant most of the day was spent on board, before going out for a
meal in the evening sporting our wet weather gear and brolli’s.
On the Wednesday we headed up to Fiskardo where again we
were to meet Steve, Madeline, Sophie and Harry, who arrived just as we were
mooring up, after which we met them ashore for lunch.
were to meet Steve, Madeline, Sophie and Harry, who arrived just as we were
mooring up, after which we met them ashore for lunch.
Back on board in the afternoon the kids got back to doing
what they liked best jumping of the front of the boat, Harry in particular, who
was very rarely out of the water.
what they liked best jumping of the front of the boat, Harry in particular, who
was very rarely out of the water.
It was great to have them all stay over on the boat as the
following day was to be our last day with them before they headed back home.
Unfortunately though the weather took a turn for the worse whilst we had our
breakfast ashore and so we ended up spending most of our morning at the café
taking shelter.
following day was to be our last day with them before they headed back home.
Unfortunately though the weather took a turn for the worse whilst we had our
breakfast ashore and so we ended up spending most of our morning at the café
taking shelter.
However not long after the rain stopped the sun came out and
we were able to enjoy the rest of our time together swimming off the back of
the boat before we had to say our goodbyes.
we were able to enjoy the rest of our time together swimming off the back of
the boat before we had to say our goodbyes.
After Steve and Madeline left we stayed a few more days in
Fiskardo before heading back to Lefkas, then to Preveza and then back to Lefkas
we then decide to take the next weather window back to Sicily and then on to
Malta which hadn’t originally been on our agenda.
Fiskardo before heading back to Lefkas, then to Preveza and then back to Lefkas
we then decide to take the next weather window back to Sicily and then on to
Malta which hadn’t originally been on our agenda.
We said goodbye to the Ionian Islands and left for Siacusa,
Sicily at 0600 hrs on the 16th
September, which would take us two days. At first the wind was quite fickle one
minute we had wind the next we didn’t so it took us a bit longer than
anticipated before we passed the headland and were out in open water. On our
first day we managed to sail averaging 6.5knts until 1900hrs before the wind
died on us and we had to take the sails down and motor. The second day we
managed to sail using the cruising chute but our speed was nowhere as fast as
the previous day, but still we were sailing and the sea conditions were great.
Sicily at 0600 hrs on the 16th
September, which would take us two days. At first the wind was quite fickle one
minute we had wind the next we didn’t so it took us a bit longer than
anticipated before we passed the headland and were out in open water. On our
first day we managed to sail averaging 6.5knts until 1900hrs before the wind
died on us and we had to take the sails down and motor. The second day we
managed to sail using the cruising chute but our speed was nowhere as fast as
the previous day, but still we were sailing and the sea conditions were great.
During the crossing we were visited by the occasional
dolphin, one of which made sure we saw him by jumping high out of the water
just by the boat before landing in the water on his back, winking at me as he
went. Our second visitor was most unexpected, a small bird who landed on deck
just by Kevin’s feet, as I went below to get the camera he (the bird that is
not Kevin) decided to take a peek inside to see what I was up to, a very
friendly chap.
dolphin, one of which made sure we saw him by jumping high out of the water
just by the boat before landing in the water on his back, winking at me as he
went. Our second visitor was most unexpected, a small bird who landed on deck
just by Kevin’s feet, as I went below to get the camera he (the bird that is
not Kevin) decided to take a peek inside to see what I was up to, a very
friendly chap.
We arrived back in Siracusa at 1218 on the 18th
September, the sun was shining and it was great to see land again. Our plan was
to move on to Malta as soon as we got the next weather window, however that
proved to be some time away. On the Sunday
after our arrival in Siracusa we were joined by Jane and Brett of S/Y Amble, it
was great to see them again and for us to swap stories of our trip around the
Ionian. Later Pete of S/Y Arganauta also arrived.
September, the sun was shining and it was great to see land again. Our plan was
to move on to Malta as soon as we got the next weather window, however that
proved to be some time away. On the Sunday
after our arrival in Siracusa we were joined by Jane and Brett of S/Y Amble, it
was great to see them again and for us to swap stories of our trip around the
Ionian. Later Pete of S/Y Arganauta also arrived.
On the Wednesday it looked like we had the weather window we
were waiting for, as we were going to do the trip in one go, and as we did not
wish to arrive in Malta in the dark we decided to leave around 1900 aiming to
get to Malta mid afternoon the following day. However as we sailed out of the
bay the wind was much stronger than forecast, and not in the direction
forecast, and as we cleared the headland the wind speed picked up to 23knt
gusting to 25knt and so we made the decision to turn back as in past
experience, the weather could get worse. We arrived back in the bay and hour
and a half after we left it, just as we entered the bay the wind died
completely, so in this case the weather improved, but it would have meant us
motoring all the way to Malta had we of kept going.
were waiting for, as we were going to do the trip in one go, and as we did not
wish to arrive in Malta in the dark we decided to leave around 1900 aiming to
get to Malta mid afternoon the following day. However as we sailed out of the
bay the wind was much stronger than forecast, and not in the direction
forecast, and as we cleared the headland the wind speed picked up to 23knt
gusting to 25knt and so we made the decision to turn back as in past
experience, the weather could get worse. We arrived back in the bay and hour
and a half after we left it, just as we entered the bay the wind died
completely, so in this case the weather improved, but it would have meant us
motoring all the way to Malta had we of kept going.
The next weather window didn’t materialise until Monday 29th
September nearly two weeks after we arrived in Siracusa. This time we decided
to do the trip over two days calling in Porto Pollo on the South East of Sicly
before heading to Malta the following day, this time we were to be joined by
Jane and Brett who were also making the trip to Malta.
September nearly two weeks after we arrived in Siracusa. This time we decided
to do the trip over two days calling in Porto Pollo on the South East of Sicly
before heading to Malta the following day, this time we were to be joined by
Jane and Brett who were also making the trip to Malta.
The pilot book did not give a very good write up in relation
to Porto Pollo and so we were pleasantly surprised how nice it was, just shows
you need to check places out yourself and not rely on other people’s
perceptions.
to Porto Pollo and so we were pleasantly surprised how nice it was, just shows
you need to check places out yourself and not rely on other people’s
perceptions.
The following day we left Porto Pollo at 0530 and headed off
to Malta, followed by Jane and Brett an hour later. There was insufficient wind
to sail and so we had to motor sail all the way, with the swell coming up
behind us which meant we were rocking and rolling the whole trip. We arrived in
Malta at 1700 and anchored in a bay on Comino a small island between Gozo and
Malta, there we were met by Helen and Marcel who had invited us all over for
dinner. A great evening was had by all but I think its fair to say we all had a
little too much grape juice, and as we said our goodbyes and got into the dingy
Kevin took an unexpected dip, on surfacing the expression on his face was
priceless.
to Malta, followed by Jane and Brett an hour later. There was insufficient wind
to sail and so we had to motor sail all the way, with the swell coming up
behind us which meant we were rocking and rolling the whole trip. We arrived in
Malta at 1700 and anchored in a bay on Comino a small island between Gozo and
Malta, there we were met by Helen and Marcel who had invited us all over for
dinner. A great evening was had by all but I think its fair to say we all had a
little too much grape juice, and as we said our goodbyes and got into the dingy
Kevin took an unexpected dip, on surfacing the expression on his face was
priceless.
The next day we had a leisurely few hours in the morning,
with Marcel doing his impression of Rodin’s The Thinker, or was he just cutting
his finger nails.
with Marcel doing his impression of Rodin’s The Thinker, or was he just cutting
his finger nails.
Before we set off to explore the caves in the bay, Marcel,
Helen, Brett and Jane in Kayaks, and Kevin and I in the dingy, we don’t have
room on board for a Kayak.
Helen, Brett and Jane in Kayaks, and Kevin and I in the dingy, we don’t have
room on board for a Kayak.
The following day we headed to Mgar to get provisions and
sort out internet access before moving to another bay on Comino, we weren’t too
keen on this particular anchorage as it was over rock and so made the decision
we would move somewhere else the next day.
sort out internet access before moving to another bay on Comino, we weren’t too
keen on this particular anchorage as it was over rock and so made the decision
we would move somewhere else the next day.
The next day Marcel, Helen, Kevin and I sailed to Mellieha
Bay whilst Jane and Brett headed to St Julian Bay. We spent three nights here
and on our last day Kevin and Marcel took themselves off to go diving, leaving
at 10:30 and not getting back until 17:00, when they got back they both looked
like the cat that had all the cream.
Bay whilst Jane and Brett headed to St Julian Bay. We spent three nights here
and on our last day Kevin and Marcel took themselves off to go diving, leaving
at 10:30 and not getting back until 17:00, when they got back they both looked
like the cat that had all the cream.
Each night we had been in Mellieha bay we had we were treated to an electrical
storm with skies being continually lit up, along with the sound of thunder, but
worse to come had been predicted and so after three days in the bay we headed
down to Rinella Creek just inside the entrance to Grand Harbour. We had a good
sail down, at one point however we had a large motor boat heading straight for
us, Kevin tried on several occasions to turn so that we would go Port side him,
but each time the motor boat turned in our direction and didn’t veer away until
he was nearly upon us causing us to have to turn into the swell he created. It
was obvious his manoeuvring had been deliberate as he watched us in his swell as
he went past. We arrived in Rinella Creek without further problems, several of
our friends were already here including Helen and Marcel, we dropped anchor but
were not happy with the position and so we lifted it back up and dropped it a
second time. Before we got chance to check the hold it was like a switch had
been flicked there was thunder and lightening all around, torrential rain, and
winds up to force 8, at that point Kevin shouted we have a hold, unfortunately
several others around us did not and so those boats lifted anchor and tried to
re-set others moved further out of the bay and just sat the storm out before
re-anchoring.
storm with skies being continually lit up, along with the sound of thunder, but
worse to come had been predicted and so after three days in the bay we headed
down to Rinella Creek just inside the entrance to Grand Harbour. We had a good
sail down, at one point however we had a large motor boat heading straight for
us, Kevin tried on several occasions to turn so that we would go Port side him,
but each time the motor boat turned in our direction and didn’t veer away until
he was nearly upon us causing us to have to turn into the swell he created. It
was obvious his manoeuvring had been deliberate as he watched us in his swell as
he went past. We arrived in Rinella Creek without further problems, several of
our friends were already here including Helen and Marcel, we dropped anchor but
were not happy with the position and so we lifted it back up and dropped it a
second time. Before we got chance to check the hold it was like a switch had
been flicked there was thunder and lightening all around, torrential rain, and
winds up to force 8, at that point Kevin shouted we have a hold, unfortunately
several others around us did not and so those boats lifted anchor and tried to
re-set others moved further out of the bay and just sat the storm out before
re-anchoring.
The storm lasted some time, before abating after which we
were treated to a spectacular sunset.
were treated to a spectacular sunset.
During the night we were subjected to more rain and thunder
storms but nothing on a par with the earlier storm, and in the morning we awoke
to blue skies and sunshine. We plan to spend a few more nights here before
moving on and tonight we are all going over to Mobilae for a bring your own meal, really looking
forward to that.
storms but nothing on a par with the earlier storm, and in the morning we awoke
to blue skies and sunshine. We plan to spend a few more nights here before
moving on and tonight we are all going over to Mobilae for a bring your own meal, really looking
forward to that.
