An even earlier start as Fai Tira heads for Santorini (Thira) 36:20.17N 25:26.06E

21^st June 2011

We started off at midnight as the moon was just coming over the horizon.  I left Judy in bed but woke her at about 2.00am to raise the main and foresails.  Fai Tira cruised along quite well until the wind died at about 4.00am and we needed to get the sails down, it was just getting light.  I asked Judy if she could do an hour on watch as my eyes were slowly closing.  Judy enjoyed her first night watch and returned to bed after an hour or so. 

At about 7am and we motor-sailed past a fantastic island called N. Anafi. 

This island is the highest rock in the Mediterranean surpassing Gibraltar for grandeur.

As we approached the island the wind started to increase so I shortened sail as we passed along the leeward side.   The wind increased to 30 knots and FT was in her element zooming along at 7 knots.

The main town and quay looked great as we motor-sailed by.  We knew that we only had 16 miles to go to Santorini from this point and that we should be there just after midday.

  We arrived into Santorini, Lamanaki Quay, at 7 knots under sail and tried to interpret the pilot book’s instruction on how to enter the marina.  After a bit of a debate we headed in not knowing whether the depth at the entrance would be sufficient.   The entrance was really difficult as neither of us could see how to enter the harbour, we eventually travelled between two buoys, did an amazing left hand turn and found ourselves greeted by a guy who called me captain! and guided us passed the shallows.  He assisted our mooring side-to, against another yacht.  We tidied up and went to bed sleeping for about 4 hours before we had dinner in the restaurant "Dimitris" overlooking the marina and Fai Tira.   I booked a car for the following day as we were both looking forward to touring this fascinating island.

Peter and Jude