A bonus extra midweek blog this week as so much seems to have happened. We left the last blog heading for our first anchorage in Greece, sadly it got dark before we got there and as we needed an early morning start the next day to avoid the forecast headwinds anyway, we decided to push on through the night. We arrived in Livaldi around lunchtime only to find the anchor windlass wouldn't operate. After doing circles while Nigel investigated we got it sorted and dropped the hook.We had 24hrs before our friends arrived so swam ashore and had lunch and downtime. We were both pretty tired after the last two months efforts so had an early night.
Livaldi beach
We reprovisioned the boat the next day and generally chilled out waiting excitedly for the arrival of SY Misty carrying our friends. It was so good to see them arrive and we had a great evening catch up in the restaurant, which included Greek dancing and smashing plates. Amanda joined the 3 dancers on the floor and that seemed to trigger the whole restaurant to join in for a fun night.
The next day we sailed down to Antiparos, around 24miles, which was the shortest sail Kerensa had done since we left. I think we were so tired that we baulked at any plans to sail further. However, with the aid of two crew members from Misty, thanks Dave and Paul, we sped south. The speed difference between 22 year old Kerensa loaded with liveaboard stuff and a 3 year old 4 foot longer charter boat was minimal leading to some close sailing in company which was very entertaining. Paul suggested putting the staysail up with the big genoa which gave us 0.5knt more speed, we learnt something new that day. If it had been a race Kerensa would have taken line honours by 100m or so and I'm sure handicap honours too. Another anchorage, another restaurant and more beer ensued, great fun. Kerensas owners disappeared off to bed, only to have to endure the loud singing of various songs across the anchorage by the Misty team. Only kidding guys, we were sparked out after the first song catching up on our sleep!
Day 2 involved a downwind sail to Kini on the isle of Syphos. With the previous days crew onboard again, we decided to goosewing the genoa and sail dead downwind. Without a pole to hold the sail out this meant a bit of helmsman concentration was needed to keep it flying and avoid an accidental gybe in the swell. Conditions were initially lightish but increased towards to end of the trip. Misty elected to sail the angles downwind and were around a mile behind on arrival at the anchorage, although they did get their anchor down first as Kerensa struggled to get theirs to bite. The evening was a repeat of the previous one, again alot of fun.
SY Misty and Kerensa team. Thanks guys for a great couple of days, it was really good to see you.
Sadly the next morning it was time for the two boats to split up. Misty heading north and Kerensa staying in Kini. The restaurant had kindly agreed to receive the part we needed (Thankyou Olga) to fix our anchor windlass which is operating intermittently. Its more often ok than not but still an issue, so we have a 3 day wait in the anchorage before heading East once more. We have 15 Schengen days left to do 5-7 short hops so our mileage of three figure sailing days is over for now thankfully. We are heading for Marmaris in Turkey at the end of September.
