Low clouds as sail a few miles E to pretty inlet of Sivota

chrisandjane aboard Liveloula
Chris Cooke
Fri 30 May 2014 11:13

38:37.4N 20:41.0E

Friday 30 May Rubbish weather. Sail a few miles E to protected inlet of Sivota, still on S coast of Levkas

Depart Vasiliki 1130

Arrive Sivota, bows to 1345 10nm M0.75, S1.5

Rubbish weather. Low grey clouds hugging mountain tops, begin to lift and break up after lunch NWf3/4 (at least some wind)

After yesterday`s thunderstorm (so hooters and bedlum at Neilson`s (and other) windsurfing base as everyone rushed ashore) and cloudy afternoon good to have breakfast in cockpit, but then patter of raindrops on bimini tent. Doesn`t persist. House battery lower than usual – no sun to provide charge yesterday. Pop in to Rachel`s apartment to put electronics on charge whilst potter in grock shops. Butcher minces brill steak for us. Motor out of no wind bay. Nice breeze outside – zigzag downwind with all sails 4to 6knts. See calm ahead but wind follows us right in to Sivota inlet entrance. Dive in bows to as popular place and quite a few arriving just behind us. Brits to port – report this is worst May weather they can remember in 13 years of being here. Our experience in French canals last May – don`t go where we go next Spring! One space to stbd filled by couple on Neilson flotilla hols. Lady driver, hubby on anchor. Don`t sail back home. No problem. Spot on (fenders not needed) despite slight crosswind. Coaching from shore crew helps, and that this is towards end of their second week on board. Two blokes on Sunsail yacht make real mess of it as cross wind freshens. Drop anchor way downwind and can`t make it back upwind for target space. Worried looks from those already in as blokes drift further down wind retrieving anchor when told they have mucked it up. (Can drag across anchors already properly laid.) No one hooked – blokes go further down wind (away from all of us), so end of interest. Apparently Sunsail flotilla is together for most of week, but those that want allowed to venture off for last few days. No coaches to advise. Hot sun appears late afternoon, but soon disappears behind clouds and surrounding hills. Cool evening. Nearby Neilson “parachute” event. Blue Peter chutes hauled up in bucket by coach in bosun`s chair near top of mast, and launched. Most plummet at speed of gravity. Great spag bol – eaten down below as too cold outside. Play with dongle. Pick up emails, including exciting news from Vigdis, who we met in One House Bay. But not so good news from Jen who is still suffering after her op, and Jamie is off to India with work for a few days soon. Hope Jen mends soon.

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