39:09.7N 20:16.0E

 

5 September Early start to get up thro canal (collecting fuel on way) and long leg to Andipaxoi, ready to pick up Cat from Paxoi next day.

Depart Nikiana 0730

Arrive Emerald Bay, Andipaxoi, 1600 36nm

Clouds and spitting, quickly clears. On exiting canal Ef3, dies, W f2,3 then 4

 

Misty cloud over Levkas, but mainland is clear. Breakfast on the go as have allowed 1.5hrs to get to floating bridge for the 0900 opening. (On the hour from 0700). Nice 4.7knts with just genoa for 20mins. Dies, so motor on. Quick stop at Levkas marina to fill up two gerrycans of diesel.Pong on way as pass local rubbish dump next to canal. Get to bridge 10 mins early. Exit around sand/shingle spit avoiding shallows inshore. Have 30nm leg NW to Andipaxoi. Lots of other yachts going this way. (Ities on way home?) Sail over 4knts with nice E (broad reach) for a couple of hours. Starts to fail – speed down to 3knts. Have to motorsail as long way to go. Wind dies altogether, then fills in from W. Not enough to sail at first. Last couple of hours just sail. Close reach speed building to touch 6knts. Lower sun now shines in under bimini. PV cells generating less too, but loads of motoring so batteries full.Txt Chris Coomber and Helen to consider rendezvous. Anchor Emerald Bay and decide to stay night. Only a short hop to Gaios on Paxoi, where we pick up Cat tomorrow. Flying Dolphin full, so looks like will arrive on the ferry 1700ish, from Corfu. Small mb leaves so reanchor and put out more chain. Much swimming. Rach enjoys snorkel in crystal clear water. Shower bladder has to be topped up with hot boat water now, sun not powerful enough today for good temp. Sudden late arrival of 4 Itie yachts anchor close in too (more on way home?). Duck ashore. Both tavernas closed. Explore up tracks. The usual aboard. Noticeably cooler. Many white clouds over mainland. Not seen for many weeks. Need T shirt. No moon or light pollution so many stars out. Txt updates from Jane GC advise Murray knocked out.