Great to hear you are on the water again I can fully agree with the electric windlass, I bought one a few years ago as a "wedding anniversary present" and it was one of the best things I have added to the boat. Funnily enough, the 30a circuit breaker for it sized this winter and had to be replaced, some salt got in and left it open circuit. A new one was inexpensive and easy to fit, and the chain now wirrs in beautifully again. Looking forward to seeing more photos of sunny sailing ... Dagnall
We have been sailing around the just south of the Corinth canal, Having motored through on the 15th June, Met up with some new friends and sailed to some lovely little harbours and up to Navplion, which used to be the capital of Greece for a time, a lovely old fort in the town, with 999 step to the top, we went with our friends in a car.
Now at Aigina, an island just south of Athens, anchored in the bay with all the feriries, fast cats and hydroplaness all coming into the marina, will move on tomorrow hoping to get to the evvoia channel, and then on to the northern sporadis, been told its very nice, so going to have a look for ourselves,
As you can see from the map we haven,t been keeping still, just difficult to keep up with the internet.arkiz
We left the port of Aigina on the island of Aigina and headed for Varkiza, a bay south of Athens, lovely clear, warm blue water and nicely sheltered from the Meltemi (a strong wind, that comes down through the mountains) we anchored right under the flight path to Athens, didn't realise what a busy airport this way especially during the day) spent a couple of nights here, it was lovely.
We knew some strong winds where forcasted so decided to more on and try and get round the point. As the wind was too strong to get round the point we pulled into the bay at Sounion and went and said hello to Posedian and pay our dues for safe waters, .The temple of Posedian is impressive, looking out to sea at the top of a large hill. We left very early one morning during a calm and ran as quick as we could round the corner and then tucked into another little bay for a rest and to wail for the morning winds to calm down, Then after lunch we headed out again trying to get as far up the channel as we could, unfortuntly the winds changed and came onto our nose, too strongly, so we turned back and went into a marina just north of the new olympic marina,
Lavrion is a working commercial harbour, catering for holiday yachts, This is were Greece has gold and other precious metals, and silver mines have been worked here since 1000bc,
Made some new friends, but not going our way, so very early (again) head out trying to get to the sailing club at Khalkis to wait until able to get through the bridge into the north gulf of evia.
Started a nice gentle motor sail, then the wind changed and we had to push through for a little while, then, because of the other islands the wind changed direction and we had a great sail up, went under the new road bridge south of Khalkis and up into the Khalkis yacht club, picked up a mooring and had a nice rest, we dont normally do very early mornings, but it was worth it, some of the sailing we did was great and the islands are so lovely.
Now we just stay here until the winds die down, appently its normal, you just have to wail a few days and then it all goes back to being right again, we also had our first rain 2 nights ago, it cleaned the boat lovely and then the sun was shining again in the morning
The city of Khalkis is very spread out and busy, but get a drink and sit and watch, it's lovely.
Here we are back at the island of Skopelos,this time right in the town marina, with about 50 other boats,
Had a lovely evening with friends watching the film Mama Mia, trying to see which areas of the film knew.
The furthest north we went to was Planitis on the island of Kira Panayia. we anchored in a lovely little bay, with only goats for company and falcons, there are monk seals and dolphins around, but we didn't see any, and know signal for phone or internet. stayed for a couple of nights then moved down to another little bay on the same island called kira Panayia, again only goats and a couple of little cats, very quiet, lovely clear warm water for swimming.
This area is all part of the National Marine Park of Alonnisos, Northern Sporades
As we knew that the weather was about to change we made our way back to Skopelos, to sit out the wind and rain, and waiting to make our way south again,
Next stop Kilma on the other side of the island.
We have been in contact with Maccat, but haven't been able to meet up yet, we will be going into Volos during the next few days so will try and meet up with them then.
We are now making our way south again, very slowly,
The weather is still lovely and warm although we have had a couple of rain showers, and the wind is normally still quite warm, the nights are now starting to draw in, so I think autumn is on its way.
Made it to Volos and just by chance met up with mac cat, they were with friends so we didnt get to chat as much as I would have liked, but hopefully we will be making our way passed them during the next couple of days so will contact them again,
We went on the little train of Pelion, which runs on a 60cm gauge line, one of the narrowest in the world from Ano Gatzea to Milies about 90minutes journey, so very interesting, going up the mountain, over bridges and through gorges, the first part was started being built in 1892 until 1896 then the last part in 1903. There is a road so it is possible to reach by car, the little village at the top is lovely, we didn't walk up the final bit to the village, it was just to hot. and the taverner looked so welcoming, so had a beer instead and lunch.
Im just so sorry I cant send you pictures, I dont know what Im doing wrong.
Anyway thats it for now, best wishes John and Margaret
Message and Pictures passed on from Margaret & John, Rumpleteaser, Cruising in Greece. Pictures showing ampetheater at Epidhavros & approaching and in the Corinth Canal. They are planing on making there way along the Gulf of Patras from Kiato to Galaxidha about 26 miles.
HI all..
We have just gone through the Corinth canal and are staying in the Corinth harbour, it's blowing a bit today, it wasn't supposed too but with the mountains and the meltemi you just don't know for sure which way the wind is going to blow, if at all.
Anyway will start making our way along the gulf of patras over the next week or so, there are so many places that we missed on the way down.
We visited the ampetheater at epidhavros yesterday, that was good and although we didn't try droping a coin we could hear a cat memowing quite plainly. Well worth a visit.
Just wanted to wish you all a very merry christmas and our very best wishes for the New year
Hope you all have a lovely time
We are still here in Lefkas Marina and will stay here until the end of March, then hopefully we will go back into the Agean again and do a bit more exploring
Thank you both very much for your festive wishes. We are in the uk til March then back in Milina. If you come to the bay of Volos again, please get in touch. Merry Christmas Deborah and Alan Mackenzie
We left the Lefkas Marina on the 1st April and motored to Prevesa, spent our first night on anchor in margarola bay, lovely and calm and so quiet
Then moved into the inland sea for a few days, went and had a lovely fish supper in our favourite restaurant in Corinesia, very good
Made our way back to Prevesa, no dolphins yet, but lots of pelicans, and then continued back to Lefkas and had our first really good sail of the season speeds of 7plus knots, and not too rough, really good, hope thats the first of many
The next few days we have stayed on lefkas town wall, as its free for the moment and proberly tomorrow we will move on down to Nidri until the weekend, as it will be easter and the marina are doing a bbq, so that should be fun
After that, we will start making our way south to hopefully go around the peloponise and up the other side.
Best wishes to you all, look forward to hearing from you soon
We managed to get ourselves a place on the Nidri Marina pontoon, with some of our friends from
Lefkas marine, just like the winter again, all of us together
Our friends took us in their car to the easter bbq at Lefkas marina and it was sunny and warm really lovely, One of the guys even tried on a mankini, appartenly not a pleasant sights, I missed it.
part of the tradition of easter here in greece is the pot throwing, after the band passes everyone throws clay pots to the ground, it for religuos reasons, to do with the noise of the boulder being used to close the mouth of the place where Jesus was interned.
The weather has turned stormy, so sitting it out here until it blows over just a couple more days and then all should be well again
Hope you are all ok, and looking forward to getting out sailing soon
Hi everyone Left nidri this morning Motor sailed to the bottom of lefkarda island, then a good broad reach in about 16knots of wind to the island of Ithaca and into the little harbour of friskes on the north eastern side Travelled 16miles in 4 hours It's good to be moving on John and Margaret
Hi again Left friskes this morning, no wind so motored to the bottom of Ithaca then motorsailed across to cephaloni and into a little harbour poros on the south east side did about 20miles in 5 hours being chased at the end by a very black rain cloud we managed to miss it. Hoping to move onto Zante tomorrow on the island of Zakinthos
Hi, left zantI this morning and now at katakolon unfortunately the smoothie bar has closed down but never mind had a lovely sail here, the town is buzzing with people from the two cruise liners. Very interesting watching the ship leave. Lovely and sunny but cool wind.
Hi, we left katakolon early this morning as the wind was due to change direction in the afternoon and headed for kiparissia about 27miles away had to motorsail until the last few miles and then had a lovely sail, we have been so lucky this season having done a lot of really nice sails. There is not much here but the harbour is nice and lots of coffee shops. There is an old castle it has one tower, made from high blocks, that is said to have been the work of Giants, as no humans could lift such stones, which we may go and have a look at tomorrow Still lovely and sunny although the wind is still cool,
You guys seemed to have cracked the internet problem, what are you using, is it wifi from local restaurants or have you purchased some sophisticated access? It is great to hear from you however you are sending the info.
It is so pleasing to know that you are both having such fun, it looks as though you don't want to come back ever.
We hope the summer is a good one for you.
Dragonslayer will be on the open water next weekend with a real adventure going from Poole to the Medina.
Hi dragonslayer, have a safe trip and watch out for those rocks and tides We are at pylos for the weekend, still can't attach pics., will move on to Methini and then along the bottom of the peloponnise weather permitting
Hi left pylos this morning, heading towards methoni only miles away, the sea was a bit rolly but we had a good broad reach and playing amongst the breaking waves were a pod of dolphins, they had a look at us for a couple of minuets then went back to play with the waves jumping over them, lovely A nice bay at methoni with a big castle, which we have already looked at, so nice and peaceful. Best wishes to all John and margaret
Hi all, sorry a bit out of date but We left methoni on Tuesday for koroni, stayed in the bay again and spent a few days with our friends who used to live in Christchurch very nice had a few trips out with them, to different tavernas, just waiting for the right weather to go round the middle finger. left koroni very early this morning Sunday 7th before the wind picked up and then had a lovely sail to the bottom of the meni peninsular, then round the corner and into Porto kayio on the eastern side of the peninsular, looks like a lovely tiny village. Hopefully will head off tomorrow, need to watch weather very carefully Best wishes to you all John and margaret
Hi. Left Porto kayio and anchored in a lovely turquoise bay, sea only 15degs so still to cold for swimming Now sailing round the bottom of the 3rd finger
Just had a few lovely days at Monemvasia, visited the castle and village on the little island it looks like a little Gibraltar and is reached by a causeway. Until the 20th century it was an important port, the old village is starting to come back to life with lots of little gift shops and tavernas in the narrow cobbled streets, no cars can get in the streets are too narrow lots of churches of course and there is a narrow winding path to the summit for a fantastic view.
Hi left Monemvasia after lunch and motored sailed for about 8miles and anchored in an inlet at yerakas, met up with some friends from last season and their sailing buddies, so should have a good party this evening. Some strong winds forcasted so this should be a lovely save haven, no luck with the fishing still haven,t caught anything yet.
Sorry everyone, been able to move flag but not update forum. Now at loutraki on the island of scopelos.(mama Mia island) Very strong winds forecasted for next few days, so staying put Had some entertainment today watching a big ferry come into the harbour. Best wishes to you all
It's good to see the flag moving! Looks like you are having a good and relaxing time.. We are planning a short trip west in a few days.. All the best Dagnall and Cathy
Hi everyone We are now in limenaria a Marina being rebuilt on the island of thasos, when it's finished it will be very good Motor sailed down the 3rd finger of the khalkidiki area passed the monistaries where no females are allow not even hens. Really interesting they are like a town, so large Then round the corner and along the bottom accompanied by a pod of about 6 pilot whales, great, We had to motorsail across the northern agean almost like crossing the channel except for the sunshine and heat, until we were about an hour away and then we sailed, so good, if the workmen don't make it too unpleasant we will stay here for a few days, get a car and do some exploring. Best wishes to you all John and Margaret
Great to hear from you so often. We have had Dragonslayer out for two cruises so far each of ten days with really surprising sunny weather. We are held back a little this year as Chris has been waiting for a date for her knee operation which we now know will be next Wednesday week. Guess it will be a while before Chris feels able to step across the gunnel.
Comments
I can fully agree with the electric windlass, I bought one a few years ago as a "wedding anniversary present" and it was one of the best things I have added to the boat. Funnily enough, the 30a circuit breaker for it sized this winter and had to be replaced, some salt got in and left it open circuit. A new one was inexpensive and easy to fit, and the chain now wirrs in beautifully again.
Looking forward to seeing more photos of sunny sailing ...
Dagnall
Please keep the details coming.
If you have any more difficulty getting members signed up, just send me an email address and a text number and I will do it for them.
Aleck
Pictures showing ampetheater at Epidhavros & approaching and in the Corinth Canal.
They are planing on making there way along the Gulf of Patras from Kiato to Galaxidha about 26 miles.
harbour, it's blowing a bit today, it wasn't supposed too but with the mountains
and the meltemi you just don't know for sure which way the wind is going to
blow, if at all.
week or so, there are so many places that we missed on the way down.
although we didn't try droping a coin we could hear a cat memowing quite
plainly. Well worth a visit.
We are in the uk til March then back in Milina. If you come to the bay of Volos again, please get in touch.
Merry Christmas
Deborah and Alan Mackenzie
Left nidri this morning
Motor sailed to the bottom of lefkarda island, then a good broad reach in about 16knots of wind to the island of Ithaca and into the little harbour of friskes on the north eastern side
Travelled 16miles in 4 hours
It's good to be moving on
John and Margaret
Left friskes this morning, no wind so motored to the bottom of Ithaca then motorsailed across to cephaloni and into a little harbour poros on the south east side did about 20miles in 5 hours being chased at the end by a very black rain cloud we managed to miss it. Hoping to move onto Zante tomorrow on the island of Zakinthos
Lovely and sunny but cool wind.
Still lovely and sunny although the wind is still cool,
We are at pylos for the weekend, still can't attach pics., will move on to Methini and then along the bottom of the peloponnise weather permitting
A nice bay at methoni with a big castle, which we have already looked at, so nice and peaceful.
Best wishes to all John and margaret
We left methoni on Tuesday for koroni, stayed in the bay again and spent a few days with our friends who used to live in Christchurch very nice had a few trips out with them, to different tavernas, just waiting for the right weather to go round the middle finger. left koroni very early this morning Sunday 7th before the wind picked up and then had a lovely sail to the bottom of the meni peninsular, then round the corner and into Porto kayio on the eastern side of the peninsular, looks like a lovely tiny village. Hopefully will head off tomorrow, need to watch weather very carefully
Best wishes to you all John and margaret
Now sailing round the bottom of the 3rd finger
Now at loutraki on the island of scopelos.(mama Mia island)
Very strong winds forecasted for next few days, so staying put
Had some entertainment today watching a big ferry come into the harbour.
Best wishes to you all
Looks like you are having a good and relaxing time..
We are planning a short trip west in a few days..
All the best
Dagnall and Cathy
We are now in limenaria a Marina being rebuilt on the island of thasos, when it's finished it will be very good
Motor sailed down the 3rd finger of the khalkidiki area passed the monistaries where no females are allow not even hens. Really interesting they are like a town, so large
Then round the corner and along the bottom accompanied by a pod of about 6 pilot whales, great,
We had to motorsail across the northern agean almost like crossing the channel except for the sunshine and heat, until we were about an hour away and then we sailed, so good, if the workmen don't make it too unpleasant we will stay here for a few days, get a car and do some exploring.
Best wishes to you all John and Margaret