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