Welcome 2018

Hello to all those who have followed our story,  new readers and family.

 Above is Josephine being lifted into her land berth for the winter and the view from the cockpit that was in October 2017 note black/grey clouds weather going down hill fast we are leaving just in time.

The boat is being stored at a small yard near to Theadora , (hopefully spelt correctly), just to the East of the Corinth Canal. we have all the facilities we could wish for and it is very easy to get to and from the airport by an inexpensive train ride.

 2017 was a good year and we have some great memories and I am sat at home typing this first blog watching a blizzard in the back garden and counting the days till our return to our summer home.

We will this year make a determined effort to do a blog abut once per week, and should any readers want to ask about pilotage and harbour details please do not hesitate to contact us.

Milos & Monovasia

Since leaving Olympic for the last time we have had a comprehensive cruise down through the Cyclades Islands. We have visited old favourites and many new places including going further East to Amorgos.

Paros old town

We have had quite unusual weather for this region. The Cyclades are infamous for strong winds. Recently we have had very little wind and have had to motor a lot of the time.

It has been amazing to see the transformation from what was initially a very quiet area to a bustling and busy sailing and tourist region.

The ferries become more frequent disgorging droves of Island hopping back packers

The end of our Cyclades tour was the southern  most island of Milos.

Milos is a sizable extinct Volcano crater formed many millions of years ago. Over a period of time the sea eventually broke through into the central crater and formed what is now a large and well protected natural harbour.

We decided  to stay for several days and generally chill out mainly at anchor although the marina/harbour here is very good and reasonably priced.

After a few days we decided to circumnavigate the island over a few days. it was an excellent way to see the island and appreciate its size. One of the highlights of the trip was the amazing rock and cave formations at Kleftiko on the SW corner.

A selection of the many photographs below.

 The entire circumnavigation lasted three days and two nights and a total distance of fifty miles. The last leg involving a brisk sail in 25Kn winds and a big sea until we reached the calmer waters of the crater.

A LONG DAY ON THE LONGEST DAY.

Constantly monitoring the weather forecasts it seemed that the winds were steadily falling to nothing and so we decided to make a break with an early start to travel seventy miles west to Monomania on the E coast of the Polyponise peninsular.

The weather forecast was surprisingly accurate almost to the minute. starting with a brisk NW wind which lowly fell to zero and then by mid day starting to fill in from the South.

We left the Cyclades to avoid the anticipated winds and ceartainly got what we wished for.

We have now for some time had virtually no wind. Temperatures are continuing to  rise and are daily in excess of 40 degrees. The local Greeks tell us that we are heading towards a serious heatwave.

We have therefore decided to return home for a few weeks in mid July to avoid the heat.

Monovasia

Known as the Greek Gibraltar this harbour and town situated near to the southern tip of the Peloponese is well worth visiting.

An ancient and fortified village on the rock has been tastefully restored.  Wandering through the narrow alleyways lined with multi coloured shrubs and bushes islike going back in time.   





Having travelled north up the coast we are now at anchor and caught in the midst of the predicted heat wave. Tomorrow is predicted at 45c and possibly 47 -49. Serious heat.

RAY & MANDY
KHAIDHARI
   

LEAVING THE SPORADES

HEADING SOUTH. THE PASSAGE BETWEEN

SKOPELOS & ALONNISOS

We have had an enjoyable few weeks cruising around and exploring the Sporades chain of islands.

These attractive and very green islands are a pleasure to visit and we would strongly recommend them to fellow sailors.

One of the highlights of our stay was meeting up with Joe and Phil Wagg, who were holidaying on Skopolos at the same time that same time .

Phil & Joe.

Phil and Joe were staying in a stunning Villa
which had beautiful elevated views over the south coast of the island towards Evia clearly visible some thirty miles away. 


As you would imagine a few drinks were shared together with a laugh or two.

We hoped to take them sailing but unfortunately a strong gale came in and we were confined to staying on the Skopolos town quay for some days, with salt water spray and waves coming over the wall!



leaving the Islands we decided to again stay outside of and to the East of Evia.   We travelled south to Skyros and then had an exciting long passage downwind to Andros and then returned to our base at Olympic Marina, Lavrio.

New chain flaked on

the dock

The reason for our return was to collect  70 meters of new anchor chain. Our existing chain had severely rusted over the winter.  We are totally reliant on our anchor and so did not hesitate to change it.

We now have a total of 100 meters of 10mm chain which really is worth having when sailing in this area.

Yet another gale detained us in Olympic for a few more days.




We have now left the marina and are exploring the Cyclades  islands. Our hope is to visit new harbours and islands, and then returning back to Milos which we first visited last year.

We also have the advantage of a new hard bottom dinghy and a outboard motor crane. We have put them into good use, often anchoring off to avoid the turmoil and crush that can sometimes occur when visiting popular harbours.

RAY & MANDY
ORMOS NASSOU,
PAROS

THE SPORADES

For some years we have hoped to travel North to cruise the Sporades Islands and have been frustrated by the normal strong N Winds.

Whilst in Siros a unusual window of opportunity occurred with literally no wind forecast for a number of days. When  being asked" where are you going next" ?  we often reply "we will wait and see which way the wind blows". This time we saw which way the wind wasn't blowing and went for it !

The journey involved three long days of motoring. The first leg Siros to Andros, the second day Andros to Kimi on the Eastern shore of wild and rugged Evvoia and then on to Alonnisos the island situated in the midst of the Sporades chain.

Was it worth it ?  Undoubtedly. The islands,  lushly covered with green forests of trees, are stunning. we have in particular fallen in love with Skopelos.  this is the island where the movie Mama Mia was filmed.

We have so many photographs that we have taken and so we decided to just print them out and let them tell the story of these beautiful islands.  

        Until next time Mandy and Ray    

THE SPORADES

We had often looked at the chart and the pilot and wanted to visit The Sporades but the northerly winds prevented us, so this year when we found ourselves becalmed we put together a passage plan to visit the northern Aegean.

The View from Loutraki to Skiathos

on Skopolos

The church at the end of Skopolos town quay

The weather was lovely and the scenery beautiful we have spent the last 2 weeks cruising this group of islands. Skopolos is where some of the outside scenes from the film Mama Mia were filmed and Skopolos harbour is where they had the pontoon that they all jumped into the water it has been removed.

The hill top village of Loutraki

We have met up with a couple from home who are out here on holiday and have enjoyed Jo and Phills company.

the internet is very slow today so I shall sign off and tell you more next time

Mandy and Ray

SUMMER OF 2017 BEGINS

We left the UK on 16th April to start our sailing this summer. The winter at home seemed to be long and wet.

Josephine in Olympic

at the end of Winter

It was pleasant to return to this  crisp but dry atmosphere but ironically for the first week the weather at home was warmer than Greece ! 

Having arrived late on Easter Sunday we spent the first two days putting the boat back together and then left the marina on the Wednesday and motored (due to lack of wind) across to the Island of Kea, the most northerly of the Cyclades.

Sailing again & all wrapped up.

After a couple of days in Kea, we sailed down to Lutra, on the Island of Kythnos.  This harbour was pleasantly quiet on our arrival with only Josephine and one other boat moored in it.

Josephine in a "Quiet Lutra.

Twenty Four hours later the small harbour was jam packed full with more boats arriving, and being stacked up on the outside wall with long lines ashore.

The always pleasant and helpful harbour master Stavrous had his hands full with boats struggling to squeeze into small spaces in a strong wind

Josephine crammed into a full Harbour.

       

The Aegean had seemed really quiet and it was a big surprise to see all these boats arrive as if from nowhere.


It was literally like the United Nations with a multitude of nationalities. It was noticeable that we were the only Brits. 








After a couple of nights we were the first boat to leave we left early on purpose to avoid the inevitable later turmoil with crossed anchors etc..

We set off for Siros 25 miles to the East, and the wind soon filled in to a perfect 20/25 Kn. beam reach and our first full sail of the season. With two reefs in the Main and Genoa we were hitting
8.5 Knots and had an invigorating passage to Finikas.

We are presently anchored in the very pleasant Ormos Villas on the SE corner of Siros. Unusually for
this area there is NO WIND FORECAST, and so we are going to chill out here before setting off again. Our destination ? we don't know . We will just wait and see which way the wind blows !!

Hello we are still sailing

March 1st 2017.

   Well it has been along time since we have blogged and that is laptop problems but we are back.
   Last year we came home for July and August as it was very hot and crowded. So enjoyed some British summer which was lovely as we had not spent a summer in England for 4 years!

    So Josephine was left in Olympic Marina in the water, so last month we went to visit her and see she had wintered and it was all good. So she is already for the sailing this year, we are to return 16th April and start this adventure.
  Looking forward to telling our tales as the season progresses.
      Mandy and Ray from england

OUR SAILING SEASON SO FAR

We arrived in Greece in early April and now are approaching nearly three months of cruising.

Josephine has been excellent and we have had few problems and have been able to achieve a lot in this short space of time.

We have logged nearly 600 NM. and re visited many places as well as discovering new harbors and anchorages.

AT ANCHOR IN KEA.
(note the bits of string)

We sailed to the Cyclades Islands which lived up to their "Breezy" reputation. It was really nice to return to the harbors and be greeted with "hello Josephine and welcome back" !

For the whole of April and well into May we were struck by how quiet everywhere was with very few boats around. It would seem that all the adverse publicity to do with migrants and airplanes disappearing from the sky's is having a very UN NECESSARY effect on Greece's tourist industry

We have avoided going across to the East where all the problems were, but speaking to boats who have recently returned they have seen little or no problems in recent times. Certainly there are no Migrant issues in the areas that we have visited.

A CRUISE LINER ENTERING NAVPILO

From The Cyclades we made the long passage across to Poros and the Saronic gulf. This is an excellent cruising area and well worth visiting with generally kinder and more predictable winds and many wonderful harbors to visit.  The jewel in the crown is definitely Navpilon. This wonderful and highly  picturesque old fortified city is an essential port of call for any one cruising in this area. We also discovered that it also has excellent dentists!!

WEATHER.  The weather has been good with lots of sunshine and pleasant breezes. What has been unusual has been that the winds have been predominately from the South. One of the main problems with this is that they carry with them "Red Dust". The dust is carried airborne from the African continent and covers everything and gets into everywhere. Whilst at anchor in Ermoni the nearby island of Idra, normally visible for 25/30 NM when at sea, and now only 5 NM away was invisible.
We estimated that due to the dust visibility was down to 2 or 3 miles!

A MAJOR DECISION.  After much thought and deliberation we have reserved a full time 12 month berth in Olympic marina.  The reasoning behind our decision is that we can now leave the boat in a safe place and return home for a few weeks in Mid Summer to  avoid the heat and also if we wish we can make visits in the winter. Apart from these obvious advantages it also made sound economic sense.

POROS

   
NEVER GO TO SEA WITHOUT A PIECE OF STRING !  The first picture of this post showing a Greek chapel is obscured by a criss cross of string.  To cut a long story short we had to remove our mainsail for a little maintenance.  Whilst I have been sailing for many years and removed countless mainsails in my time this was the first time I had ever removed a " In mast furling " mainsail. The procedure was relatively strait forward.  However what I had not realized was that the foil inside the mast that holds the sail is unsecured at the top. Once the sail is removed this 14 meter plus extrusion is free to move and CLANG as it wishes. After a few minutes of this constant noise we had definitely become THE NOISY NEIGHBORS FROM HELL!!

However my habit of never throwing away a piece of string came to the rescue.The block which takes the head of the sail to the top of the mast was taken two thirds of the way up with the string attached and pulled very tightly. End of problem and a lesson learnt.  

ASTROUS.  ANOTHER EMPTY QUAY TO OURSELVES

 We are now back in Poros awaiting the arrival of Ann and Jim who arrive on Thursday 9th June for ten days. Ironically they seem to have bought their Scottish weather with them. We have been roasting in sunshine for so long, but on the day of their arrival in Greece the heavens have opened with torrential rain and thunder and lightning!

The forecast is good.

Thanks for viewing and we hope you find our posts interesting.

RAY & MANDY
Poros   37.31N x 23.25E



























 
  

Still in May and posting again!!!!!

Saronic Gulf & Eastern Peloponnisos

    We are still in this area and came here for easy winds!!! Well we have encountered a storm but enough of that what a beautiful cruising area this is and we have been further south in the med. than ever before as calm weather was forcast we ventured down to Monemvasia ! and it is beautiful the Greeks are restoring it to its former glory and doing it well.

Is called by some books Little Gibraltar and as we went around the headland there she was but the best was yet to come as we rounded this headland to go into the habour a village / small town  came into view a film set Ray called it

 When we left our previous port were concerned that it maybe full however this year we are at the moment finding everywhere empty? why who knows? The habour had 1 yacht in and no problem for us parking the boat.

 This is the road to the island it never floods with tide unlike those we know in France and England we cycled to the village well not all the way the hill at the end got the better of us so we walked the last bit!!
  We spent the day wandering around the cobbled streets and had a simple lunch over looking the sea.

A jug of Rosie and Moussaka and what a view!
   I had a broken tooth so moving on to somewhere with a dentist was needed! so forcast for southerly winds Beaufort 5 good for going north to Navplona a large town to find a dentist. The wind had howled over night but there was a good forcast and yachts we leaving and a large Cruise Ship yacht 4 masts was coming in so we left.

 Doesn't she look good and she looked even better in full sail but too far away for a photo.
We had half a genoa out and were sailing ok but not fast however under the lee of the island so we waited well 30 mins later we had a good wind and were enjoying the sail and then she (the weather ) turned in to a 45 knots of wind and a large swell!!! We made the sail smaller and still sailing at 10 knots!!! waves breaking over the boat and the only bay/ habour we knew 10 miles away however there was a small habour closer that we had never been to and in the end we diverted to it as ripping sail's is not good.

This is Ieraka the morning after the storm we arrived and thankfully it was empty so we dropped the hook in the middle and waited for the wind to drop and sure enough a few hours latter it was calmer so we re anchoured and tied onto the habour wall therefore not taking up all the space.
  Fishing boats were coming in to shelter so it was very windy.

    The next day the winds had dropped so we made a run for the north and had alovely sail to Navpolon .

     37 deg33'N 22 deg47'E

This Old fortified Village is of Byzantine origin and was once of great importance as a port due to its location near to the southern tip of the Peloponise peninsular and the trade routes through the Agean sea.

By the end of the 19th century and the Greek civil war the community was  very poor and impoverished and the the area slowly declined and died. The village was left to deteriorate into ruin.

In recent years a program of renovation has bought this amazing site back to life and is a great credit to the instigators of this wonderful project..

We can strongly recommend a visit to anyone visiting this area.

Ray and Mandy.

2016 and we are afloat.

Well 29 days ago this was Josephine loaded into the crane and on her way back to the water with 2 very anxious owner's watching!! All was well went into the water and floated.

   We have spent alot on her over the winter including a new fore sail and keeping up with the little things that keep her looking good new dogers was one as we lost an E from her name.

  We have been sailing now for 29 days and covered approx. 200 nautical miles and only done 42 engine hours in that time so we have had some lovely sailing and some difficult times as well.

  Our first sail was to Kea about 18 nautical miles and a good wind behind and when we arrived the only boat on the quay we knew it was early but thought a few more would be about. We then went onto the middle Cyclades re visiting some old favourites but after 10 days we were at Naxos hiding from strong winds and not northerly but southerly!!

   We are now in the Saronic at Ermioni a favourite of ours and had a good sail here today flat water and 15/18 knots of variable winds.

    W not leave it solong for the next installment now I have remebered how to and wil take more pictures 

     37deg23'N 23deg15'E

    Keeping well Mandy and Ray 

  

Time to go Home!!

We have had a lovely summer and due to heat and strong northerly winds we have decided to winterise Josephine and head home.
   
    I am sat in Little Haywood looking at the fog as I write this we have been home now for 3 weeks and enjoyed cool wet weather and just recently some lovely warm sunny weather.

This is our Josephine in her winter home and being cared for by Olympic Marina and David.
 
    Our last fortnight was spent sailing / motoring through the Gulf of Corinth the wind often against us despite the prevailing wind is usually westerly and not much swimming due to the number of jelly fish!!

  This photo was taken from the stern of Josephine so we were not about to jump in just a cold shower to cool down.

    When we returned to the Aegean Sea the wind was always northerly as expected or nothing so unless we wanted to be blown to the south we headed to the marina and arranged flights and the lift out. There a few winter jobs to be done to prepare for next year; sad to go but the relentless heat had finally got to us .

     So until next spring have a good wintr and an early Happy Christmas and Happy 2016!!

     Mandy and Ray

Repairs ??!

Hello all well it isn't any cooler yet so we just have to enjoy hot sunny day with a hair-dryer type wind to sail with.
    Since we last blogged we have had a few repairs 3 to be exact.

Above is Josephine s bow roller and you maybe able to see it is worn to the metal it should be similar to the one on the left which is used for anchor warp, the shackles we had to connect the anchor to the chain have worn the plastic so off to Levkarda to source a new one no luck not any of the Chandlers stock that sort of thing. So off to Nidre and try a Chandlers called George's and guess what we were luck not the exact thing but something that would see use through to the end of the season we thought so off to Ay Efumia to the town quay where could go in bows too on a high quay do the work without losing any bolts we hoped and we have friends that would help if we did not have the right tools

. So a day later the new bow roller in situ but not that simple the one we brought had been black rubber and George et al told us it wouldn't last a few days but knew someone that could make one so Ray went off with George and sure enough a new one was to be made so we were stuck in a favourite place for a couple of days very hot but we went cycling.
  As you can see from the photo above the new bow roller with anchor fitted and we have changed the arrangement of shackles so it wont happen again..

  Then we set off for the Gulf of Cornith to some quieter crusing away from the Floatilers and to visit Mesolongion which we have never been to just sailed past. We had some good sailing but then alas Ray noticed a hole in the genoa!!! surely not but on a second look yes where some old stitching had been the fabric had torn. Well Mesolongion had a marina and we know some people winter there so hopefully sail repairs cold be done. Yes that was possible however the Waypoint sail rep did not want to come to the marina we had to go to him, Ray and I can just about move the sail on the boat but get it to the Waypoint outlet no way not in this heat just getting it down was hot enough . So Ray had an idea if we got the boat and sail to the Town Quay could he collect from there yes not problem so we cast off to the Town Quay a few 100 yards away delivered the sail and returned to the Marina as we had payed for 2 nights.This was a week-end so we thought it would be mid week before we saw the sail again however not Saturday early evening we had a phone called the sail was repaired so we arranged to collect it Monday morning on the Town quay.

   Well these things often come in three's!! and sure enough a day after leaving Mesolongion our batteries where loosing charge quicker than normal it was hot the fridge was struggling but we better check the batteries as 2 were not sealed and sure enough one was dry!!so where to now we did not want to retrace our steps maybe  Galixidhi would have a battery it had a small chandlers we knew so fingers crossed it was on our way but now we would go directly.thankfully when we arrived the chandlers was open and had the correct battery, after a hot hour or so in the aft cabin it was replaced and two very hot and sweaty crew emerged to the cool of the cockpit!!!!

    Well enough of my going on we are now back in the Aegean sea and sadly thinking of where we will Josephine for the winter can't believe it is that time already.

     Until next time Mandy & Ray 

Hot Hot Hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well it has been awhile since we have written and we are sorry to here you are not having a good summer we are melting! For the last month it has not gone below 20'C and up to 45'C during the day phew!

   Above is a post and seagull with a rope from Josephine this was in the Bay Lakka lots of boats so we did this to stop swinging to other boats, the sea gull worried me but unlike the British ones we hear about it flew off as I approached but soon returned.

 From her we travelled north to Corfu and not to the town but the bays around so we could cool off by jumping off the boat into cool water.

This was the view from the back of Josephine very nice Taverna's and good food but expensive by Greek standards but we were on Corfu.

We moved south Corfu and found a nice and busy bay but lots of room and the locals were having a festival to celebrate the building of their new church an impressive building but just a shell now they start on the inside the town was Petriti had a lovely garden taverna just south of it.

We continued south next to the mainland and went to Parga a busy tourist resort this was the quieter of the beaches one was so busy with sun shades and sun beds you could hardly see the sand.

But after a couple of days we moved on to an empty bay with a small taverna and beach with only a dozen or so people and 3 boats. We saw a lovely sun set and a big orange moon.

Anyway we find ourselves in Ay Eufimia an old favourite and we may have to spend a couple of days here to get our bow roller renewed another story for next time.

Hope the summer improves .

Mandy and Ray 

Sailing Again!

We have been in the Ionian Sea now for a month and enjoyed some lovely sailing and some motoring. Met up with friends old and new and helped celebrate a 60th birthday a good day!!

 I have just up loaded this photo and it is said that the Cornith Canal has a slope and you feel that you are motoring  up hill ! it does look like it and that the Gulf of Corinth should empty out into the Aegean Sea.

 This is looking backwards! that is down hill.

    The weather has been good to us a couple of thunder storms but lucky for us not over head. This year the flies and mosquitoes have been bad early June but it seems to have improved and I have put that down to our new guest's during the day we have swallows on the guard rails with their young having flying lessons, they are very noisy in the morning so no lie ins.

And there were as many on the warps and other side of the boat It just means cleaning bird pooh up but not too much. We have been aware of the birds in previous years but not as many as this year.

        We have sailed up the Levkas Canal  and watched a lot of boats going the other way so thought maybe north Ionian was less crowded! Not so we sailed up to Paxos and it was the 3rd bay we found a spot in a bay north of the island called Lakka us and about 100 other boats were in there we stayed 2 nights and it did empty the next day.

   Holidays in Greece are quiet this year? due to publicity about the economic situation maybe, but here it is fine there are lots for taverna open and ready for business the cash points have money in them it is mostly cash but now some places are excepting debit cards!!!

    We are just off mainland Greece among Nisis Sivota and Mourtos for a few days ( Sailing holidays .com have 2 flotillas here tonight.

   39 deg24'N 20 deg13'E

       Mandy ,Ray and Josephine

Farewell to the Aegean Sea !

7th June 2015

       Well since we last blogged we have left the Aegean for the time being we wanted to cruise and not spend weeks hiding from the wind. We have not been alone in this as we have met several other boats making the same trip for the same reason.

      So we made our way east wards from Naxos 2 long days sailing with a Danish boat called Lucy.

Above is  Lucy her owner's Borge and Christine we making the same trip so we sailed to Poros together and then parted company but hope to meet up later in the year.

   We then spent a week sailing towards the Canal visiting favourite paces again and some new!

On the south of the Island Aigina we went into a peaceful anchourage and as it was very deep our 1st this year of taking a line ashore onto a rock all went well until I jumped in with sun glasses still on my nose!!

We then moved onto Epiavros and took the inland trip to the best Greek Theatre see above it is still used today seat's 14,000 people but not very comfortable stone!  The acoustics are so good that you can hear a coin drop in  the middle whilst at the top or anywhere in the theatre.

   

Onwards to the Corinth Canal and on 27th May we went through the canal alone . Into the Gulf of Corinth.

  We are in the Ionian now and enjoying some good sailing!!

           Mandy and Ray 

      

MAY 18th 2015

Since our last blog. we have had some pleasant cruising around the Cyclades Islands.

Initially early in our journey we encountered very few other boats but now the season seems to have started, with crowded harbours and anchorages.

We have met and made friends with many other fellow sailors, of various nationalities, a French family, Dutch, Danish and Australian. Surprisingly we have neither met or seen many British boats. We did wonder if everybody had stayed at home for the "General Election" ?

The inevitable Cyclades weather again struck. A well predicted blow from the North saw us bolting for Naxos and shelter. We were concerned that with the forecast that it would be crowded, and have little or no room. However we had timed it right and we arrived to be helped into what was probably the best berth in the harbour. The nautical equivalent of the Royal Box at Wembley !!

Appolos Gate Naxos, 530BC

Naxos is one of our favourite Islands and harbours. It is a good job, as the forecast two day blow lasted for Severn days, Beaufort force 7, day and night.

Sitting in our "pound seats" we were then entertained by dozens of boats arriving in search of shelter, and then struggling to squeeze  into the few and increasingly more difficult spots in the strong wind.

Our dock was crammed to capacity on both sides, and no body was moving. A sense of community soon developed,and before long we were taking it in turns to have "happy hour" parties on each others boats.

As a result of this blow, and our similar experiences last year, we have decided to slowly make our way back to the calmer waters of the Ionian, exploring the Saronic gulf on the way.

We have greatly enjoyed the Aegean side of Greece, and hope to return, as there is still so much to see and explore. However the windy season is due to arrive soon and so whilst disappointing we feel that it is wise to move on.   

RAY & MANDY

Poros 37.31.6N x 23.25.25E