Sugar 'n' Spice - Weblog |
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Date Filed |
31/05/2009 while home in the |
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Location |
Olympic Marine Lavrio
Attica Mainland |
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Lat/Long |
37º 41.79 N |
24º 03.61 E |
Friday 22nd
May. The forecast was predicting the
wind would ease from about midday & the morning seemed calmer, so we did
some chores. One of these was to rig the
inner forestay & hank on the little jib we have for strong winds. We departed from our unfinished concrete quay
at about midday, with the anemometer showing N4/5. Outside the breakwater walls the wind was
blowing a northerly 6-7, rather stronger than the forecast, so we were glad
we’d rigged the little jib. Once that
was hoisted the boat took off at around 7 knots so we didn’t bother to hoist
the main. As we passed south of the next
island (
The water was so incredibly
clear, although cool, that although it was late afternoon I was tempted in for
a swim. Apart from one or two groups walking down to the beach & the sheep
& goats we had the bay to ourselves.
Saturday 23rd May
we made a prompt start from our very peaceful anchorage & with the wind now
light & from the western quadrant we were able to sail, either close hauled
or with just cracked sheets, with just short spells of motoring, when the wind
went too light. Early afternoon we
crossed the shipping lane between Kea & Kythnos,
reminiscent of home waters with streams of ferries on routes between
Another very pretty bay
overlooked by a number of white painted windmills.
There were more boats
anchored & more people, in part probably due to the proximity to
We both went for a swim this
time as we were feeling more relaxed as we had managed (we hoped ) to reserve a
berth at Olympic Marine near Lavrio so we could leave
the boat safely while we returned home.
We had assumed that with all
the marina facilities around
We had a leisurely departure
from Kavia bay, Kea on the Sunday (24th May). We had our familiar mix of motor &
sailing. With the proximity to
With the imposing Temple of
Poseidon standing up on the headland this is quite a spectacular location, so
we settled down to lunch, swim &
people watch. There were crowds up on the headland, arriving by the
coach load, but as the Temple itself is out of bounds (to stop people carving
their names on the pillars, a trend allegedly started by Lord Byron!), & we
had a very good view of it we didn’t feel the need to head ashore & climb
the hill. It was even floodlit all
through the night.
On Monday (25th May)
we motored the 1hr trip (5.9nm) north to Olympic
Marine just south of Lavrio, arriving about midday.
They seemed in slight confusion over bookings so we had a few worrying moments
until tied up & checked in. Then we
headed into Lavrio to the Port police, a very
personable young lady, with a British mother from Dagenham, so the proceedings
were fairly painless. We had look around the town, & then back to the boat
so Doug could do an engine oil change in the relative cool of the evening.
Tuesday was a chores day starting with
biking into Lavrio for gas. 2 bot tles this time, so
one on each bike, followed by cleaning,
laundry & sorting the boat to leave her secure.
Wednesday 27th
May, after final jobs, we shared a taxi to the airport with a cheerful French
couple, on a boat quite close, who were also off home for a few days. The drive
was amusing as the taxi driver spoke several languages so there were multi
directional, multi lingual conversations for the whole drive, & much
laughter!
So now we have a few days to
catch up with friends, the post, house & garden. We have missed the bluebells, but the rhododendrons
are in full flower.