Date Filed |
22/6/2009 |
|
Location |
Kardhamila, |
|
Lat/Long |
38º 32.49 N |
26º 06.96 E |
Monday 15th June
2009. A relaxed departure motoring to
replenish batteries (also wind light & on nose). We headed north up the channel between Alonnisos & its small virtually uninhabited neighbour Peristera, passing a few small hamlets & harbours on Alonnisos on the way.
There was an obvious tide/current through the strait & as we cleared
the two islands the wind increased briefly (still on nose) & there was a
definite ‘wind over tide’ chop to the sea.
By lunchtime we had dropped anchor in a small cove in Kira Panayias bay on the island
of the same name – 13.5nm.
This island, & several
others, form part of the
Next day (16th
June) we had an early start (6am) from this delightful bay. There was no sign
of life on our neighbour, or the little group of boats in the next cove. We
took advantage of a motoring, light airs start to set
up our inner forestay & hank on its little jib, as the forecast was for the
wind to increase. After an hour we were
able to start sailing (full main & genny) then as
predicted the NE wind increased & as we were close hauled a reef went in.
Then there was a mixed period when reefs went in & out as the wind
increased & dropped, we motorsailed briefly when
it dropped more, but left a ’stopping’ sea – we reckoned it was possibly due to
an ‘island’ effect from several small Sporades to the north.. Then early afternoon the wind went north,
freed slightly & increased as forecast (5 gusting 6), & the small jib
came into its own. We rollicked along
over a fairly lively sea at 7+kn, hoisted the genny as well as the jib when the breeze dropped to a 4,
then went back to jib only when it rose to a 5 again & we were crossing
shipping lanes off the end of
Early evening we found our way past a rocky islet
with a yacht perched high & dry on some off lying rocks, into the quiet of
the anchorage at Ormos Sigri. 7pm & 85.7nm run.
A speedy, if rollicking, sail
& fast crossing as our times include hauling/dropping anchor &
hoisting/furling sail.
The town, with its red tiled
roofs, climbed a small hill, there was an 18th century fort
overlooking the anchorage, a naval vessel was tied to the quay & as we
looked around a large motor yacht flying the white ensign came in & dropped
anchor too.
Wednesday 17th
June. The ‘white ensign’ had gone overnight, we watched the naval vessel go
& then made a relaxed start from the anchorage at Sigri,
with a ‘motor’ along the waterfront to look at the town with Agia Triada, its unusual church,
converted from a mosque, & then a closer look at the beached yacht.
According to our information it is steel & has been there some time. We are
just amazed as to how it got there & it is a very strong reminder of the
power of the sea.
We started downhill with just
a rolled out genny, & saw several skeins of sheerwaters flying low over the waves. Around midday the wind dropped & the
engine went on. Soon
after Doug thought he smelt diesel. A check below confirmed this, so the
engine went off & while he .investigated I tried to keep the boat at least
‘aimed’ in the right direction, not easy in 1½knots of breeze, that was
circling the clock. We did indeed have a
fuel leak, but thanks to Sir’s skills he was able to find this, replace a
filter & we were back in business within an hour. While all this was happening we were also
invaded by millions of small insects, which added an irritating nuisance.
So around tea time we arrived
in Plomari harbour, & anchored stern to quay, as
what we believed to be the visitor berths had been taken over by the local
fishermen. 31nm.
A run ashore revealed a nice
compact town with most facilities & provisions close to hand, & later
we went out to supper in a square with a huge overhanging tree in its centre.
The wind picked up as
forecast later that evening & the boat rolled around & snatched at her
lines to make for an uncomfortable night.
Next day (18th
June) with the boat still rolling around & more wind forecast we decided it
had better be a jobs (loos) & chores (laundry) day, rather than trying to
explore more of the island. As it was difficult even to get off the boat this
was not quite as worthy as it sounds, but we did manage to hijack a mini tanker
for fuel, & rewarded ourselves by going out to supper again.
The wind picked up again
overnight, so it was another uncomfortable night.
Friday 19th June
with more wind still forecast we decided that an anchorage would be preferable,
so after topping the water, seeing the Port Police & a quick provisioning
run we left Plomari, ironically with a light wind on
the nose.
Our destination was Kolpos Kalloni, one of two large
inland seas on
Early afternoon we anchored
opposite the small hamlet of Apothikai. 18nm.
This was another very
peaceful place, there was a fisherman stretching nets across a stream, goat
bells up on the hills, some rackety gulls & something that sounded similar
to a skylark.
Later a Dutch ketch anchored
nearby, but nothing disturbed our sleep that night.
Saturday 20th
June. A motoring start out of the channel to the gulf, more sheerwaters,
then to our surprise a SW wind so a light airs beat. This gradually freed &
increased & early afternoon we were reefing in a NW 5 gusting 6. This
quickly (20min) rose to a 6 going on 7 so our second reef went in. By now we were coming to the channel
between
We turned in past the 3
little islets bounding Mandraki harbour,
It was a very pretty harbour,
the houses running up a hillside topped by the obligatory churches & a
windmill. The other side was the 3 islets, joined by a wall & again topped
with little churches.
On Sunday (21st June)
most visiting boats departed early so we moved to the quay & went to
explore. Along the front, then up, inevitably, to the main church & the
windmill, & finally in a loop round the back of the hill to discover the
town spread further than we had imagined, down into a valley behind.
It was still early, so we returned
though the channel with Chios (current again in our favour) & on to an
anchorage on the north coast of
The southerly came in
overnight, earlier than expected, so Monday’s plan (22nd June)
became anchor watch as the wind gusted from 5 to 6 or 7, even in our sheltered
corner.
A powerboat anchored fairly
near suddenly seemed a lot further away & we realised they were dragging.
We tried calling them on the radio, as did the Coastguard, all to no avail, so
we took the dinghy over – now a fair distance – arriving just ahead of a
fishing boat, & just as they themselves seemed to realise, so our efforts
were wasted, as they motored back & anchored nearby again.