Well we have certainly covered some miles since leaving
Gibraltar, we managed to get the A Frame fitted, Matt from Gib Stainless Steel
was working on the frame right up to 1800 on the day we left.
Gibraltar, we managed to get the A Frame fitted, Matt from Gib Stainless Steel
was working on the frame right up to 1800 on the day we left.
We left Gibraltar on the 4th May, at 1840, we had
hoped to fill up with fuel before we left as fuel prices were cheap, but
unfortunately one fuel station was closed and the other had ran out of Diesel,
so no fuel.
hoped to fill up with fuel before we left as fuel prices were cheap, but
unfortunately one fuel station was closed and the other had ran out of Diesel,
so no fuel.
As we left the marina the wind speed picked up to F5/6 at
120% off the boat, by now the sea state was quite choppy, and coming at all
different angles and so we decided to take down the main sail and sail on the
head sail only. The swell remained with us all night making it difficult for
either of us to get much sleep, whilst the other was on watch. The following
day the wind died down to virtually nothing and so it was time to motor.
120% off the boat, by now the sea state was quite choppy, and coming at all
different angles and so we decided to take down the main sail and sail on the
head sail only. The swell remained with us all night making it difficult for
either of us to get much sleep, whilst the other was on watch. The following
day the wind died down to virtually nothing and so it was time to motor.
We had planned to stop at an anchorage just past Cabo de
Gata but as it was getting dark and the conditions were ok we decided to keep
going onto Cartagena where we stayed for two nights before heading off to san
Antonio on Ibiza where Kevin’s son David was coming out to join us.
Gata but as it was getting dark and the conditions were ok we decided to keep
going onto Cartagena where we stayed for two nights before heading off to san
Antonio on Ibiza where Kevin’s son David was coming out to join us.
Whilst in san Antonio at anchor Kevin managed to install the
Solar Panels and only dropped one screw in the water, at times he was in a
precarious position as he lay across the top of the A Frame whilst a trip boat
sped past causing a large bow wave to hit Kailani make her rock about with
Kevin holding on to prevent himself falling in the water.
Solar Panels and only dropped one screw in the water, at times he was in a
precarious position as he lay across the top of the A Frame whilst a trip boat
sped past causing a large bow wave to hit Kailani make her rock about with
Kevin holding on to prevent himself falling in the water.
With the solar panels fixed it was time to make a start on
installing the water maker, we had taken the one off Miss Lilly and bought
extra parts from Mactrashop in the UK where we had bought the original water
maker in order to go from 30 Litres and hour to 60. After a lot of cursing and
swearing Kevin decided it may have been easier, even though more expensive to
have just bought the 60 litre water maker already assembled. The rest of our
time whilst we waited for David to arrive was spent cleaning and polishing the
boat.
installing the water maker, we had taken the one off Miss Lilly and bought
extra parts from Mactrashop in the UK where we had bought the original water
maker in order to go from 30 Litres and hour to 60. After a lot of cursing and
swearing Kevin decided it may have been easier, even though more expensive to
have just bought the 60 litre water maker already assembled. The rest of our
time whilst we waited for David to arrive was spent cleaning and polishing the
boat.
David arrived on 18th May late evening making it
a late night as we spent time catching up and showing off the new boat. The
following day we set of for Formentera where the water is clear blue and you
have no excuse for not dropping the anchor in the sand. David was the first in
the water soon followed by Kevin, it was far too cold for me so I declined and
stayed on board with a very cold G&T.
a late night as we spent time catching up and showing off the new boat. The
following day we set of for Formentera where the water is clear blue and you
have no excuse for not dropping the anchor in the sand. David was the first in
the water soon followed by Kevin, it was far too cold for me so I declined and
stayed on board with a very cold G&T.
Unfortunately the weather was not all that good for David’s
visit and so we weren’t able to do as much sailing with him as planned, but we
did manage to visit the old town of Ibiza and took a trip to Cala Bassa where
David was able to take the wheel.
visit and so we weren’t able to do as much sailing with him as planned, but we
did manage to visit the old town of Ibiza and took a trip to Cala Bassa where
David was able to take the wheel.
After David left us we sailed back to mainland Spain to
Javea as my daughter and her family were there for a week’s holiday and as it
was only a day sail across (50KM) we thought it was an opportunity not to be
missed. However trying to contact the marina to arrange a berth for three days
was a bit of a night mare. We phoned the day before we were to arrive as
instructed via email, however the person I spoke to could not guarantee a berth
and told me to phone the next day between 0900 and 1200, we tried to explain
that as we would be halfway between the mainland and Ibiza we would not be able
to do so, and so we arranged for my daughter to phone. She too found it
difficult to get a confirmed agreement that we could berth for three nights, so
as we approached the marina we were not sure what to expect. However it all
turned out all right, our problem had been that we had not spoken to the head
Marianaro, he is the only one who can confirm berthing arrangements, with
everything sorted we headed off with my daughter to spend two nights with them
in their rented villa.
Javea as my daughter and her family were there for a week’s holiday and as it
was only a day sail across (50KM) we thought it was an opportunity not to be
missed. However trying to contact the marina to arrange a berth for three days
was a bit of a night mare. We phoned the day before we were to arrive as
instructed via email, however the person I spoke to could not guarantee a berth
and told me to phone the next day between 0900 and 1200, we tried to explain
that as we would be halfway between the mainland and Ibiza we would not be able
to do so, and so we arranged for my daughter to phone. She too found it
difficult to get a confirmed agreement that we could berth for three nights, so
as we approached the marina we were not sure what to expect. However it all
turned out all right, our problem had been that we had not spoken to the head
Marianaro, he is the only one who can confirm berthing arrangements, with
everything sorted we headed off with my daughter to spend two nights with them
in their rented villa.
It was great being able to spend quality time with them, and
Isaac seemed to have grown up so much since we had last seen him. We spent the
time building sandcastles on the beach, fishing off the rocks and swimming in
the pool.
Isaac seemed to have grown up so much since we had last seen him. We spent the
time building sandcastles on the beach, fishing off the rocks and swimming in
the pool.
The two days were over so soon and so we sail our goodbyes
and headed off back to San Antonio where we stopped for one night before heading to Palma Nova in
Majorca. There was absolutely no wind ad so we motored the majority of the way
there, about two hours from our destination the wind picked up and so we
hoisted both sails, due to the angle of the wind we had to tack to miss the
headland, but then we seemed to be heading back the way we came, and so we
decided to take the sails down and motor the remainder of the journey (about
3KM). By now the sea state had got quite choppy and the direction of the swell
meant we would not get any shelter in Palma Nova and so we turned around and
headed for Santa Ponsa instead.
Majorca. There was absolutely no wind ad so we motored the majority of the way
there, about two hours from our destination the wind picked up and so we
hoisted both sails, due to the angle of the wind we had to tack to miss the
headland, but then we seemed to be heading back the way we came, and so we
decided to take the sails down and motor the remainder of the journey (about
3KM). By now the sea state had got quite choppy and the direction of the swell
meant we would not get any shelter in Palma Nova and so we turned around and
headed for Santa Ponsa instead.
The next day we were on the move again, this time to Sollier
on the west coast of Majorca, the last time we had been there it was really
busy and so only stayed the one night, we hoped that as it was early in the
season it wouldn’t be quite so busy, and our luck was in. We stayed there for
two nights, and took the opportunity to take the tram to the old town of
Sollier, we were not sure what to expect, on arrival we were pleasantly
surprised at how busy and picturesque it was.
on the west coast of Majorca, the last time we had been there it was really
busy and so only stayed the one night, we hoped that as it was early in the
season it wouldn’t be quite so busy, and our luck was in. We stayed there for
two nights, and took the opportunity to take the tram to the old town of
Sollier, we were not sure what to expect, on arrival we were pleasantly
surprised at how busy and picturesque it was.
From Sollier it was off to Porto Pollensa where we waited to
get the right weather conditions to get us over to Sardinia another two day
sail, each day we looked at the weather forecast it kept changing and so did
our plans on when to go, we didn’t seem to get a window where we could sail the
whole journey.
get the right weather conditions to get us over to Sardinia another two day
sail, each day we looked at the weather forecast it kept changing and so did
our plans on when to go, we didn’t seem to get a window where we could sail the
whole journey.
We eventually headed off on the 5th June, this
time we sailed around the north coast of Menorca as opposed to the south as we
had done last time in 2013. The trip was a mixture of motor, motor sailing and
sailing, not as much sailing as we would have liked though. We seemed to be going
through diesel like nobody’s business, by the time we reached Lucia in Sardinia
we had done1209KM since leaving Portugal and most of it under engine a total of
207.5 hours.
time we sailed around the north coast of Menorca as opposed to the south as we
had done last time in 2013. The trip was a mixture of motor, motor sailing and
sailing, not as much sailing as we would have liked though. We seemed to be going
through diesel like nobody’s business, by the time we reached Lucia in Sardinia
we had done1209KM since leaving Portugal and most of it under engine a total of
207.5 hours.
Whilst in Sardinia we took the opportunity to visit some of
our favourite places, and only moved from one location to another when there
was enough wind to sail. On one occasion we managed to find ourselves in the
middle of an international yacht race, each time we tacked to keep out of their
way they tacked and came in our direction, which I thought was very
inconsiderate of them.
our favourite places, and only moved from one location to another when there
was enough wind to sail. On one occasion we managed to find ourselves in the
middle of an international yacht race, each time we tacked to keep out of their
way they tacked and came in our direction, which I thought was very
inconsiderate of them.
Our final destination in Sardinia was Portisco where once
again we waited to get the right weather conditions to get us down to Vulcano,
a small volcanic island north of Sicily. Once again the forecast kept changing,
we decided to head off late afternoon of the 13 June, we had had strong winds
the day before (up to F 8) at times and again on the 23th but not quite as
strong as the day before. The wind was due to die down in the evening to a F4/5
and so we prepared the “Stay Sail” which we had never had on Miss Lilly. We
sailed on the Stay sail until the wind started to drop and the hoisted the Head
Sail which we reefed, shortly afterwards we heard a loud noise, followed by the
head sail flapping about, at first we were unsure as to what had happened and
the we realised the clew had shorn completely off and so we had to pull in the
head sail and motor. In the morning we once again hoisted the Stay sail and
managed to sail for most of the day until the wind died at around 2100.
again we waited to get the right weather conditions to get us down to Vulcano,
a small volcanic island north of Sicily. Once again the forecast kept changing,
we decided to head off late afternoon of the 13 June, we had had strong winds
the day before (up to F 8) at times and again on the 23th but not quite as
strong as the day before. The wind was due to die down in the evening to a F4/5
and so we prepared the “Stay Sail” which we had never had on Miss Lilly. We
sailed on the Stay sail until the wind started to drop and the hoisted the Head
Sail which we reefed, shortly afterwards we heard a loud noise, followed by the
head sail flapping about, at first we were unsure as to what had happened and
the we realised the clew had shorn completely off and so we had to pull in the
head sail and motor. In the morning we once again hoisted the Stay sail and
managed to sail for most of the day until the wind died at around 2100.
We arrived in Vulcano at 1715 on 15 July having managed to
sail most of the day, on arrival we took both the Stay sail and the Head sail
down which proved to be a pig of a job folding it up on deck to get it small
enough to fit in the sail bag, unfortunately we didn’t make such a good job of
it as we got it in the bag but it was too big to get in the sail locker so we
sowed it in one of the spare cabins. We then hoisted the spare head sail so we
were once again fully rigged, by then it was time to sit back and chill out.
sail most of the day, on arrival we took both the Stay sail and the Head sail
down which proved to be a pig of a job folding it up on deck to get it small
enough to fit in the sail bag, unfortunately we didn’t make such a good job of
it as we got it in the bag but it was too big to get in the sail locker so we
sowed it in one of the spare cabins. We then hoisted the spare head sail so we
were once again fully rigged, by then it was time to sit back and chill out.
On the 17 June it looked like we would have the right
sailing conditions to get us down through the Messina Starits and across to
Lefkas in Greece. We set of at 0915 and although there was not much wind we
were able to sail, by the time we reached the Messina Starits just after1500
the wind had picked up in strength to 16K and we raced down the straits where
at one point we clocked 10 of speed over the ground. As we sailed passed Porto
salvo the wind had picked up even more and was gusting at times to a F7 and so
we re-checked the weather forecast before we lost our internet signal. It
showed F7 for the following day with a swell of 3 to 4 metres and so we decided
to stay close to the coast and head towards Crotone where we could shelter. As
we approached Castello we once again checked the weather, the predicted NE, F7
and swell hadn’t changed but we were able to determine that we could get better
shelter at an anchorage by Castello rather than Crotone and so headed there
instead.
sailing conditions to get us down through the Messina Starits and across to
Lefkas in Greece. We set of at 0915 and although there was not much wind we
were able to sail, by the time we reached the Messina Starits just after1500
the wind had picked up in strength to 16K and we raced down the straits where
at one point we clocked 10 of speed over the ground. As we sailed passed Porto
salvo the wind had picked up even more and was gusting at times to a F7 and so
we re-checked the weather forecast before we lost our internet signal. It
showed F7 for the following day with a swell of 3 to 4 metres and so we decided
to stay close to the coast and head towards Crotone where we could shelter. As
we approached Castello we once again checked the weather, the predicted NE, F7
and swell hadn’t changed but we were able to determine that we could get better
shelter at an anchorage by Castello rather than Crotone and so headed there
instead.
The anchorage was lovely and peaceful, but the wind seemed
to be blowing more SW and so we hoped we had made the right decision,
eventually the wind did change to a NE, the clouds rolled in and the rain,
thunder and lightning started, however the anchorage remained calm.
to be blowing more SW and so we hoped we had made the right decision,
eventually the wind did change to a NE, the clouds rolled in and the rain,
thunder and lightning started, however the anchorage remained calm.
The following day we headed off towards Lefkas Greece, the
swell from the previous day’s high winds remained, though no longer 3 to 4
metres high by now it was more 2 to 2 ½ which still made for a roller coaster
ride for much of the day. The good thing was we were able to sail which made it
a lot more comfortable.
swell from the previous day’s high winds remained, though no longer 3 to 4
metres high by now it was more 2 to 2 ½ which still made for a roller coaster
ride for much of the day. The good thing was we were able to sail which made it
a lot more comfortable.
We had intended to head for Sivota which is in the south of
Lefkas, however due to the wind direction we ended up arriving in the north of
the Island just in time to go through the bridge opening at 1100. However due
to a barge being brought through the bridge didn’t open until 1200 and so we
had to hang around for an hour before we could make our way down the canal.
Lefkas, however due to the wind direction we ended up arriving in the north of
the Island just in time to go through the bridge opening at 1100. However due
to a barge being brought through the bridge didn’t open until 1200 and so we
had to hang around for an hour before we could make our way down the canal.
As we headed down the canal we somehow managed to ground
even though we had remained within the markers of the channel, after speaking
to a few other sailors later we found that they to have been caught out and
that they think the dredgers have accidentally dropped a mound of sand in that
particular spot.
even though we had remained within the markers of the channel, after speaking
to a few other sailors later we found that they to have been caught out and
that they think the dredgers have accidentally dropped a mound of sand in that
particular spot.
As we came out of the channel we spotted Helen and Marcels
Boat Dakini on the AIS system and so tried calling them up on the radio with no
response, however we did get a response from our friends Jeff and sandy off
Nawii, after a brief conversation we agreed to meet up and sail onto Aboliki in
Menganisi.
Boat Dakini on the AIS system and so tried calling them up on the radio with no
response, however we did get a response from our friends Jeff and sandy off
Nawii, after a brief conversation we agreed to meet up and sail onto Aboliki in
Menganisi.
We had a great evening with them especially as we had not
expected to meet up with them again since leaving MdR.
expected to meet up with them again since leaving MdR.
The following day we headed south to Sivota, which was
really busy, after several attempts at anchoring we eventually managed to find
a secure spot. As Helen and Marcel along with Debbie and Campbell of Walanthea
were already there we invited them over to Kailani for drinks. Unfortunately
the wind picked up and Debbie and Cambells boat started to drag, after several
attempts to re anchor they gave up and headed round to the next bay and so it
was only Helen and Marcel who could make it over.
really busy, after several attempts at anchoring we eventually managed to find
a secure spot. As Helen and Marcel along with Debbie and Campbell of Walanthea
were already there we invited them over to Kailani for drinks. Unfortunately
the wind picked up and Debbie and Cambells boat started to drag, after several
attempts to re anchor they gave up and headed round to the next bay and so it
was only Helen and Marcel who could make it over.
Just as we had got settled and poured the wine Polish sailor
in a small yacht decided to anchor at right angles across our anchor, the next
minute both his boat and ours was drifting off down the bay, he had snagged our
anchor. After a few choice words from me he managed to free our anchor from
his, no mean feat I should add as our anchor is 33K, we eventually managed to
re anchor and spend a nice evening with Helen and Marcel.
in a small yacht decided to anchor at right angles across our anchor, the next
minute both his boat and ours was drifting off down the bay, he had snagged our
anchor. After a few choice words from me he managed to free our anchor from
his, no mean feat I should add as our anchor is 33K, we eventually managed to
re anchor and spend a nice evening with Helen and Marcel.
The following day we set off again along with Helen and
Marcel, Debbie and Cambell and headed off to Port Leone on the island of
Kalamos, along the way we were joined by Jane and Brett on Amble, which led to
a great evening of Walanthea.
Marcel, Debbie and Cambell and headed off to Port Leone on the island of
Kalamos, along the way we were joined by Jane and Brett on Amble, which led to
a great evening of Walanthea.
The following day we took a trip ashore to take a look at
the church which is the only building left after the earthquake which
devastated a lot of the Ionian, apparently even though the village was deserted
after the quake several of the women came back each month to clean the church.
the church which is the only building left after the earthquake which
devastated a lot of the Ionian, apparently even though the village was deserted
after the quake several of the women came back each month to clean the church.
From Port Leone it was off to Abalilki on Menganisi one of
my favourite places, where we met a lovely couple from Slovakia called Peter
and Catia who had also just bought their boat. We spent a few nights there
before parting company with Helen and Marcel, Debbie and Campbell, they to head
south and us to start heading north and Nidri, where we met up with friends
John and Sally.
my favourite places, where we met a lovely couple from Slovakia called Peter
and Catia who had also just bought their boat. We spent a few nights there
before parting company with Helen and Marcel, Debbie and Campbell, they to head
south and us to start heading north and Nidri, where we met up with friends
John and Sally.
The chandlery in Nidri has got to be one of the best we
managed to pick up several items that we had been trying to get for months, we
also managed to get our main sail repaired at Souix Sails.
managed to pick up several items that we had been trying to get for months, we
also managed to get our main sail repaired at Souix Sails.
From Nidri it was off to Ligira where we met up with friends
Rick and Barbara off Far Out, we hadn’t seen them since they left MdR in 2014,
it was great to catch up with them and once again we had a large amount of
alcohol was consumed along with some great food. The following morning we
headed north once again and over to Gaios in Paxos, we had intended to anchor
outside the south mole but the anchorage was busy and so we moored on the town
Key at a cost of 23 euros much more expensive that last year.
Rick and Barbara off Far Out, we hadn’t seen them since they left MdR in 2014,
it was great to catch up with them and once again we had a large amount of
alcohol was consumed along with some great food. The following morning we
headed north once again and over to Gaios in Paxos, we had intended to anchor
outside the south mole but the anchorage was busy and so we moored on the town
Key at a cost of 23 euros much more expensive that last year.
From Gaios we were going to go to Lakka, but we had heard
how much more busier it was this year (its being nicknamed the great sailing
Parking lot) so we decided to give it a miss and head up to Corfu and the
tranquil bay at Pititri. On arrival in the bay we noticed Brett and jane on
Amble were already there and so invited them over for a barbeque that evening,
which unfortunately cut short as it started to rain and jane and Brett had left
their windows open.
how much more busier it was this year (its being nicknamed the great sailing
Parking lot) so we decided to give it a miss and head up to Corfu and the
tranquil bay at Pititri. On arrival in the bay we noticed Brett and jane on
Amble were already there and so invited them over for a barbeque that evening,
which unfortunately cut short as it started to rain and jane and Brett had left
their windows open.
From Pititri we moved onto Gouvia where we finally
registered with the Port Police before heading into Corfu town and arranging
internet access via Vodafone so no more free wifi cafes.
registered with the Port Police before heading into Corfu town and arranging
internet access via Vodafone so no more free wifi cafes.
Over the last couple of days we have met up with friends
from the UK which was most unexpected, Andrew Karen, Russell and Sharon booked
a late holiday in Moraitika just north of Pititri, so we met them there for a
day on Kailani, including barbeque. They provided the majority of the food and
drink for which we thank them, then after the barbeque the men provided the
entertainment when they reverted to little boys again and used the main Halyard
to swing off the boat before falling into the water.
from the UK which was most unexpected, Andrew Karen, Russell and Sharon booked
a late holiday in Moraitika just north of Pititri, so we met them there for a
day on Kailani, including barbeque. They provided the majority of the food and
drink for which we thank them, then after the barbeque the men provided the
entertainment when they reverted to little boys again and used the main Halyard
to swing off the boat before falling into the water.
Once again copious amounts of alcohol were consumed and all
the men had a thick head the following morning, but that didn’t stop them from
having the hair of the dog the following day.
the men had a thick head the following morning, but that didn’t stop them from
having the hair of the dog the following day.
Unfortunately Andrew and Karen had to return to the UK and
so we took Sharon and Russell for a sail to Corfu, where the plan was for us to
have a meal ashore before they caught the last bus back to their resort.
Unfortunately by the time we had had our meal and found the bus park the bus
had already gone and so they spent an unexpected night on Kailani.
so we took Sharon and Russell for a sail to Corfu, where the plan was for us to
have a meal ashore before they caught the last bus back to their resort.
Unfortunately by the time we had had our meal and found the bus park the bus
had already gone and so they spent an unexpected night on Kailani.
The following morning we were joined by Roy and Jessica of
Tatamanu some more friends from MdR for coffee before saying our goodbyes to
all of them.
Tatamanu some more friends from MdR for coffee before saying our goodbyes to
all of them.
On Thursday we fly back to the UK for my son Stevens wedding which
I am really looking forward to.
I am really looking forward to.
It feels as if we have already done a full seasons siling,
we have covered 2062KM since leaving Portugal, (last year we didn’t manage 2000KM)
and still have another 4 months to go where we will be having lots of friends
and family coming to stay on board with us. Over the last few months we have
had our ups and downs with things going wrong with the boat, the weather not
always doing as forecast, buts as Kevin keeps telling me “it’s only a forecast”.
However I think we have experienced more of the ups with places we have visited
and the friends we have met along the way. Would also like to thank Marcel for
sending us the picture of Kalani under full sail the first we have had.
we have covered 2062KM since leaving Portugal, (last year we didn’t manage 2000KM)
and still have another 4 months to go where we will be having lots of friends
and family coming to stay on board with us. Over the last few months we have
had our ups and downs with things going wrong with the boat, the weather not
always doing as forecast, buts as Kevin keeps telling me “it’s only a forecast”.
However I think we have experienced more of the ups with places we have visited
and the friends we have met along the way. Would also like to thank Marcel for
sending us the picture of Kalani under full sail the first we have had.
