Wind and More Wind!

Our Little car for a Day

Too Much weather.

We have not been as good at updating the blog so far this year and I am sorry for that but we have lots to say.

On June 24th we were to welcome Audrey and Peter who had enjoyed sailing so much last year they wanted to come again. The wind on June 23rd,24th and 25th was strong northerlies around Mykinos so much so we could not get to the New Port Mykinos  so went to the south of the Island to a large Bay with the town of Ornos. we were not alone there were alot of large cruising yachts and motor cruisers all at anchor hiding from the wind.

Audrey & Peter on Naxos

   We worried about how we were going to get our guest onboard as our tender is not very big but there were lots of larger tender's belonging to the Super yachts buzzing around taking guest ashore and collecting them could we be that cheeky and ask for a lift? Yes of course we could and 2 lads on a tender helped us out and Audrey & Peter arrived in style.

   The next day the wind had stopped this has been our problem too much wind or not enough and even the weather forcast's can catch you out.So we motored to Naxos and spent a very nice day and night there before moving on to the island Syros and the harbour Finikas on the SW end of the island. 3 nights were spent there due to strong winds again and we did not want to frighten any more people.Watching  our weather sites and talking to other's we decided to make a break for it on Monday to Andros and then south towards Mykinos. So off we set wind was very light and the swell was across the boat not very comfortable and motoring and not getting anywhere fast ray suggested we divert to Tinos!the wind would be in our favour and it was a shorter trip and on route to Mykinos after other last sail to Tinos I had said never again however on we went to Tinos and it blew the closer we got, Ray's theory that there is an acceleration zone  between the 2 islands Seems to be correct, again we arrived on the town quay wet and very glad to be to have arrived.

   The next day was spent looking at the sights of Naxos town.  Audrey & Peter had 3 more nights with us and the weather again was not being kind force 5/6 northerlies for Thursday and Friday so going to Mykinos in Josephine was not to be so it would be the seajet ferry for them to Mykinos . Therefore we hired a car and went exploring for a day! Tinos is a lovely island to explore we found a beautiful bay with a beach bar and had lunch and Audrey & Peter went swimming .

We remained in Tinos until Sunday when to wind abated and we set off for Syros!!

Our next installment will be from the U.K as we are returning for a while

   

Ray & Mandy 

CRUISING IN JUNE.

10 days in June.

          The 1st of June and Anne and Jim our 1st guest's arrive to join us for 10 days lovely, Josephine checked over since her night in Tinos by Skipper and damage 2 burst fenders, broken electric cable , broken forward cleat and split rubber strip at the back on the sugar scoup.
   So off we set weather forecast for the Monday good and a nice sail down to Naxos as strong northerlies forecast in the next 2 days . The Marina was full when we arrived so anchor under Apollo's Gate . The weather sure enought that night blew but we were safe and the following day moved into the Marina the bad weather past and boats moving again.So Anne and Jim spent a day exploring the narrow streets of Naxos.

Crew uniform

Anne and Jim settled into life on board very quickly and food on board for a couple of night's and off to Ormos Agiou north of Paros. We had a good sail a little chilly on arriving but anchoured and had a lovely evening on the hook. Next day new island and off to Nios Syros to Finikas Marina  again the weather and charts studied and plans made travel further west to Kythnos and a small bay and in was lovely a good sail as well close hauled and one tack all the way!! Lunch on route and dinner after an afternoon spent swimming and now as it was nearing the end of Anne and Jim's 10 day's weather looked at a longer day sailing with a favourable NW. to Tinos about 30 NM.

Sailing to Kythnos

So up early for us and set of at 9ish lovely warm sunshine lunch made and planning to eat out in Tinos the 1st 15 NM was good easy sailing then the wind strengthened and the swell was across the boat reefs were put in the sails as the white horses got bigger!Well the weather deteriorated and the water was coming over the fore decks into the cockpit and the last 8 miles were storm force /gale winds at time Ray saw 40 knots of wind on the instruments and It was all we could do was to hang on as Ray steered Josephine through the storm and we got the main sail in with a struggle left a very small Genoa out and as we approached Tinos a ferry showed up and we all said we go 1st sorry to the ferry all very wet and relieved.

To be in a habour!!!

This was us just arrived and tied onto the wall. We all felt like hero's to have survived and once the legs stopped shaking the whisky was out to steady the nerves.

Well needless to say Anne and Jim were a little wary of sailing to Mykinos on Monday so we agreed to let them go by high speed ferry on Tuesday am. to go to the airport.

We hope this has not put Anne and Jim off sailing we would not choose to go out in weather that strong but it needs to be forecast to give us a chance of avoiding it .

Bye for now Mandy and Ray

         

A WEEK ON TINOS TOWN QUAY

  Josephine and Mandy's week in Tinos

 Unfortunately Ray had to go home for a week so we were left alone and we choose where we wanted to be left and where Ray could easily get a flight to the UK. Tinos had seemed a safe place and shops etc. to pass the time. A local fisherman said he would look out for me! However talk of fish being caught and he was off to fish. Yachts came and went and I watched  the weather forecasts. It  was very hot and sunny and enjoyable.

View from Josephine of the sea wall at 5pm

Then Thursday 29th May forecast was for a southerly wind  with some gusts so as taught I moved the boat well away from the wall (ensuring I had food and drink!) and put springs on.  The prevailing wind is usually north, and as the picture above shows the sea wall is  along way away and southerly facing. There was little wind until 5ish then the breeze started and by 6 pm it was a storm. All the other boats with crew took to the water so they where not being bashed against the wall as the sea got bigger! I was alone the locals came to the quay to warn us to leave and asked where was my Skipper ? I explained I was alone and the locals came to my rescue. Nicos, Adonis and Jimi to name 3 there where many other's.  Josephine was thrown about like a cork and they helped me re anchor and tie up as the wind howled. The tourists were out taking picture's. I have been told Josephine is now famous and on a Greek news web site. The wind was storm force 12!! It took from 6 pm till 9 pm to have her tied up safely.

Josephine tied off the wall 

                                                                                                        Well as you see from above we were well off the wall with tyres as shock adsorbers. I have since learn't from the locals never stay in Tinos harbor in a southerly wind as you will be bashed against the wall and it is true. But thank-you to all those who helped me and came by the next day to ensure I had food and water etc.

  Ray is back with and our adventure continues. We  have had  guest's on board and that is a story for the next post!!

    Mandy and Josephine

                                                                     

SAILING AGAIN 25TH MAY

Well after a week storm bound and low on food and no drink the wind abated and the anchorage emptied and we all moved on.

Our view whilst storm bound off Paros 

We set sail for Naxos an Island we had fond memories of when chartering it has a lovely large door and Ray always wanted to return and anchor below it!

   We had a good sail but not a constant wind and therefore had to motor the last mile towards Naxos Marina. A loud noise from the back of the boat and we lost power the engine was still running but we were not moving so out with a small genoa and prepared the anchor and we cautiously
We entered the anchorage beneath the large door way.

The view whilst at anchor 

We were soon spotted by the port police as we where in the way of the ferry and asked to move we explained that we couldn't as we had a fishing net around the prop and needed a diver they called one for us and he arrived in about 15 mins as did the ferry the wash as he docked had Josephine rocking. It took the diver about 15 mins to cut the net away, ther appears to be no damage so we proceeded in to the Marina .

Apollos door

Naxos is a lovely town with an Ancient castle and this ruined Temple of Apollo and a very old Roman Catholic Church built in 13th century.

   Also good super market etc. to restock Josephine should we get stuck again but weather seemed to set fair for a few days. So after exploring Naxos we set off to Mykinos to see what it was like, the marina is nothing special but the town is very old Greek and very touristy with often 1/2 Cruise Ships anchored off and ferrying passengers on and off  before departing in the evening for the next island.

    We are now back in Tinos for a few days and no sailing today as there is no wind so a day to explore.

      37 32'N x 25 09'E

                              Mandy and Ray 

THE CYCLADIES

THE CHORA NISSOS
KEA

Since passing through the Corinth canal and into the Agean sea we spent a few days in Poros and then continued our journey east to the Cyclades islands.

This delightful archipelago is situated in the center of the Aegean.  The numerous islands are all individually different and have their own character,

Nearly all are mountainous and rise up out of the sea to some very impressive heights.

The islands are steeped in history both modern and ancient.

Our first Island was Kea, the most northerly of the Cyclades  This area has a reputation of strong winds which we can vouch for.  The day after we arrived strong force 6 to 7 winds were predicted and arrived exactly as fore casted

We decided to remain safely moored and took a taxi to the Chora (village). This amazing ancient settlement is perched on the steep side of the mountain and is well worth a visit.

THE GREEK ORTODOX
CATHEDERAL
(note the long carpeted climb)

From kea we went on to Andros a very mountainous island rising to 3712 feet.

We had been told that it was very quiet and rarely visited by yachtsman. We entered the small harbor which only had two other boats in it.

Two hours later a large flotilla of twenty three 45ft+ boats arrived all at the same time. The boats were crewed 8-10 per boat by Russians and for thirty minutes chaos ensued.  

They were all eventually crowded in often three and four deep with mooring lines and anchors all over the place.

ONE OF THE MANY FINE VIEWS
FROM THE BALCONIES OF THE CATHEDRAL

From Andros we traveled south to Tinos, an island that we had not realy considered and knew little about.


We discovered that this is a major place of pilgrimage for the Orthodox church and is the Greek equivalent of Romes Lourdes.

On ceattain feast days Pilgrims arrive from all over Greece to pay homage to a miracle working Icon of the Madona.

AFTER THE LONG CLIMB ON YOUR KNEES
JUST A FEW MORE STEPS TO GO

The pilgrimage involves making the long climb from the harbor front to the cathedral on your knees and must take some time and cause considerable discomfort.

As shown in the picture above a carpet has been laid to make it a little easier!

We visited the cathedral appropriately dressed. It was well worth the visit and climb.

The town and port of Tinos is a very pleasant place and well worth adding to your itinerary if visiting the area.

STORM BOUND IN PAROS
From Tinos we traveled south toParos and had a few days in Portes. Then true to Cyclades  reputation strong winds were forecast to set in from the north. The infamous Meltami

We quickly moved to the north coast bay of OrmosNaousis.. This is a large bay with many indentations and provides perfect shelter from the north.  We arrived in the empty bay on Monday 5th with the gale forecast to start on Tuesday and last for several days.

At the time of writing Thursday the 8th we are still here with two anchors set and with ten other boats sheltering alongside us.

The fore cast is for the wind to abate in another two days!!

RAY & MANDY
37 09.4N X 25 14.4E

EASTER N THE GULF OF CORINTH

From the Rion Bridge you can easily navigate the Gulf of Corinth to Corinth and the Canal in one or two days.

However if you do you are missing out on a excellent and stunning cruising area. We decided to take our time and took a week to explore the area.

We had excellent westerly winds behind us all the way down, and we cruised at 7/8 knots with just the genoa.

Both sides of the Gulf were bordered with snow capped mountains and we were sailing in shorts and T-shirts.



After the Isle Trizonia our first port of call was Galaxia

THE QUAY ANDRIKON

A charming and very picturesque harbor and town.

A perfect stop over however the quay side was very noisy at night and so we decided to move on further east.

We discovered Andrikiron and what a great find it was. The town is nestled in the NW corner of a very large bay and is totally surrounded by high mountains on all sides.

JOSEPHINE SQUEEZED ONTO THE SMALL
QUAY BETWEEN TWO LARGE TUGS

Easter is a major event here in Greece.

Easter Sunday started at mid night with a large firework display illuminating the entire town.

When we rose the next morning at 7 O clock the mile long quay side was ablaze with dozens of large Bar b ques. Logs were burnt to make charcoal, and then whole lambs were slowly roasted by the men of the town for the day long celebration.                              



                       

THE WESTERN ENTRANCE TO THE
CORINTH  CANAL

Afterr the celebrations we moved on further east to the ancient city of Corinth and then the next day through the Canal and into the Agean sea, our original destination

In ancient times sailors traversed the narrow isthmus by being dragged on a paved road to avoid the long and often perrilous journey around the southern cape of the Peloponnese peninsular.

Various Greeks and Romans derived schemes for building the cut when not fighting each other. Nero commenced the work but was unable to complete it.
     

Eventually the canal was completed by a French company in 1893 to provide a short cut to and from the Agean, Athens and Istanbul.

Today most ships are to large to transverse the canal,  and it is only used by small coasters and pleasure vessels. From west to east the canal at approx 3.2 mile long and only 25 Meter wide, is said to be the most expensive waterways on the planet.

Upon arrival at the entrance we had to wait for two hours before we could transit through.

We were able to take breakfast and were entertained by a friendly Greek fisherman who caught and then beat to death a fairly large Octopus.

When eventually called through we were the lead boat of a flotilla of 5 yachts.

POROS APPROACHING
FROM THE WEST

We encountered a current against us of about 1.5 Knots, and a headwind of 15 to 20. The passage took about 35 mins and cost 244 Euro.

Two years almost to the day since we left Gosport
we entered the Aegean out original destination.

Emerging from the canal we were imediatly confronted by numerous islands.

We made our way to Nisos Poros where we are now, and planning to leave for the Cyclades tomorrow.


RAY & MANDY
POROS
37 31N 23 25E

GREECE 2014

JOSEPHINE GOES BACK IN.

 Our journey back to Greece began on the 26th March, when Peter Billingham kindly took us to Manchester Airport for our flight to Athens.

Everything went like clockwork. We walked out of the airport and straight on to the X96 bus which for five euro each took us literally to the door of our hotel, the Poseidon opposite Alimos marina.

ONE OF ONLY TWO BOATS
IN LITTLE VATHY

 The next day we made our way by taxi to the bus station for our trip to Levkas.

The bus journey is some six hours long and so we had kindles and books at the ready to pass the time. They were not necessary as the journey was fascinating. We traveled from Athens over the Corinthian canal onto the Peloponnese (south) side of the magnificent Gulf of Corinth. we crossed over the gulf to the mainland side over the Andirrion-Rion Bridge and then on to Levkas.

The scenery was magnificent and we felt as if we had seen a lot of "real Greece"

THE BRIDGE

The boat was launched on April 1st and we had a lovely two weeks sailing around a near deserted Ionian, visiting our favorite haunts and preparing our selves and the boat for our journey east to the Aegean

We left Cephalonia on Tuesday 15th April and had a very pleasant 63NM trip to the Isle Trizonia in the Gulf of Corinth.

We passed underneath the amazing bridge that we had crossed over two weeks before. The structure is regarded as the largest of its type in the world.

We are now cruising the Gulf on route to Corinth and the canal. The next blog will follow soon and will give details of this wonderful cruising area, and an AMAZING EASTER SUNDAY in Andikiron.

RAY & MANDY
ANDIKIRON
38 21.6N x 22 39.4E