Southern Ionian Cruise June 2024
Ships Log Greece
Crew: Richard Barnett, Peter Tomlinson(1st Mate) , Katherine and Michael Rostron, Yassa Endhawe and myself Derek Miles (Skipper) – Average age 60+
Lefkas to Kalamos
Late leaving Lefkas (16:00) gathering crew (pissed off) took a long time to have ships systems explained and crew left at the office got severely overheated. Eventually we managed to get away after stowing provisions and personal effects. The destination was the island of Kalamos and George’s famous taverna for the evening and overnight stay. The other boat ( Jupiter) went to Nidri because of systems problems and rendezvous with the owner to effect repairs . We motored all the way to Kalamos and made just under 8 knots under motor. Very little wind so motoring was the only real option. Contacted George by phone to reserve a mooring and book a table for 7 in his taverna.
As we approached Kalamos George came out and guided us and helped as with mooring. Once we had moored up we unpacked all out personal gear into our respective cabins and went ashore. The evening consisted of more than a few beers by the waterside over a lovely meal presided by Georges wonderful staff.
We made full use of the boats air conditioning (lucky us!!) by using the on board generator to run it and charge the boat with cool air to enable us to sleep. The outside air temperature was about 32 degrees in the late evening. So far no issues with the boat.
Kalamos to via one house bay Port Vathi Ithaca
We all got up and had a staggered breakfast and then went to the local store to shop for some odds and ends that we needed. The “local” store was – very interesting – owner serves us – customer interface not excellent. The “shop” was more like a mini untidy warehouse with stuff everywhere only to be located by the owner. I have been to this store many times and in all the years it has never changed.
Whilst moored and planning our passage for the day another boat asked to come alongside as they needed to top up the water tanks . Once they had topped up we got ready to leave only to find that our anchor was fouled on another chain ( the first of many!!!) – crew responded admirably and got us free once they had worked out the technique – well done crew.
Motored towards One house Bay and anchored off (making sure that we anchored away from any other boats and anchors!! The bay was extremely busy with boats everywhere. Once we were happy with our anchor we prepared lunch while some of the crew went for a swim. Yassa went for a swim first followed by the rest of the crew either swimming or in the tender to. There were reports of the famous black pigs around on the foreshore. Unbeknown to us the other SCCC boat (Jupiter) was also at one house bay at the same time. We did not know until we met up with them at Port Vathi on Ithaca. Crew returned and had a lovely lunch whilst anchored in the bay. At the end of lunch we made our way to Port Vathi but not before we had to clear a fouled anchor due to an Italian charter yacht laying their chain across ours made our way to Port Vathi on the Island of Ithaca. Unfortunately the problem also involved a private French flagged sailing yacht who ended up sandwiched between the two of us. Lots of fendering but no harm done but the French crew were not amused. Hopefully fouled anchors are not going to be the norm on this trip. With the amount of boats in the area this could become a norm
On the way to Vathi we managed to have a bit of a sail but the wind dropped so it was back on the engine. We managed to have a bit of a sail as a little wind came but soon back on engine as it dropped again. However breeze got up just as we entered Port Vathi to moor up. Bit of a tricky moor as there was very little room and also a couple of other yachts trying to moor also. Why does the wind always come up when you are trying to moor !!!. Finally got boat moored up stern to with a nice lot of chain out and crew went ashore to seek out a) a good place to eat and b) some cold beers.
Couple of the crew & skipper hung around to assist the boat next door (young students ) as their anchor was dragging and they were worried that they would drift back into the quay. Suggested that they put a bow line to our yacht as we were well dug in. This solution worked and they were happy as were we. We also assisted with the mooring lines of another yacht coming alongside on our port side
Another boat came in with two families on board with young children and they were having all sorts of problems because their anchor windlass did not appear to be working and they were not really set up for a stern mooring (no warps ready) and also there were 2-3 children running around the cockpit (which did not help the skippers concentration) . We, together with the help of the crew of the boat on our portside managed to get them moored but the skipper was not really happy with the set of the anchor. They still seem to being blown onto the quay but having moored they did not want to repeat the mooring exercise. Evidently they were having lots of problems with their charter boat and the company was due to meet them the next day. From what we understand was that they left their engine on in forward gear all night to ensure that the boat stayed off the quay – poor them.
Port Vathi to Sami
On retrieving anchor guess what! fouled anchor, crew responded well again. They are certainly getting some practice at decoupling other peoples chains!!!. These were laid over our chain rather than us fouling theirs – to be continued
Sami towards Fiskardo – crowded heavy swell to north ended in Ormis Pilos
Hhhh
Ormis Pilos to Sivota
hhhh
Sivota to Spartakhori
Hhh
Sparkathori to Tranquility Bay (heavy swell at Sparkathori) onwards to Lefkas Base
Work in Progress