Dave and I headed out to buy a few provisions in preparation for the day. We also visited three bakeries and finally got some nice-looking pastries for breakfast on the go.
We then set off out to sea and saw some boats with their sails up and an encouraging wind forecast for the day ahead. Marco was very pleased to have less time pressure today as he had managed to pre-book a berth on the pontoon in Syvota, where he had been several times before. For the last two stops we had needed to arrive in good time as spaces could not be guaranteed. The certainty of a berth meant that we could take our time and benefit from the best of the wind, which was in the afternoon.
We sat on the edge of the boat eating our pastries and admiring the idyllic view as we left Vathy. After a while Theresa dropped anchor in a beautiful cove with shallow azure water. Dave and I had a swim off the boat and I managed to look below briefly and get a great view underwater thanks to my prescription goggles! The water temperature was bliss compared to what we are used to on the Hampshire coast! Theresa then made a lovely tuna salad for our lunch. We stayed there relaxing in the bay for some time.
Whilst there, we witnessed a lot of activity on other vessels and learnt quite a few flags! There were various boats and catamarans, one from Austria, and a few people went to the beach bar by dinghy whilst others swam and relaxed by their boats. One particular catamaran had a bright pink blow-up flamingo, which looked quite incongruous against the picturesque backdrop! As they headed off disaster struck and the flamingo blew off the back! 😃 Fortunately they did a small loop and managed to retrieve it, much to the amusement of a bay full of spectators.
We eventually headed off and got sailing! Hooray! The wind conditions were brilliant and Marco was in his element. The rest of us were also very happy to have such an exhilarating sail after so many days of frustrating weather. We made the journey in a fraction of the expected time due to the excellent conditions and reached a speed of 9 knots.
When we got to Syvota Marco and Theresa were welcomed back like old friends by the harbour boss and his partner. The mooring was a Med mooring, which meant that Theresa hooked up a static rope as Marco approached and Dave tension-ed it and tied it off at the front of the boat whilst Rod the harbour boss and his partner helped us tie on at the front.
We wandered off to an ice-cream parlour which came highly recommended and then Dave and I got some bakery bread and a few provisions before cooking a beany stew for dinner on board.
We rounded off the night with further games of cards, with different winners and losers this time and we’re able to play on deck as the wind had abated.
Goodness me, another day with ‘happenings’. We could have done with the pink flamingo at our Macmillan Cancer bring and buy this morning. £402 was raised.
People who watch yachts sailing along have no idea of the ins and outs of it.
I can feel the beautiful warmth of the sea.
Hope you all keep having fun.Jx
Take care.xx🐠