On the Move again
jenna
Jim / Elaine Soens
Thu 1 Oct 2009 08:21
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36.31N 027.45E
Spent Saturday & Sunday stocking up on
food for the next leg of the voyage and cleaning the boat up for Elaine's
return on Sunday night. She duly arrived safely after a very sad trip to
the UK. We were woken at 05.00hrs on Monday morning by a large charter
yacht mooring beside us with the noisiest engine and crew imaginable. So sleep
was impossible after that. We eventually left Piraeus/Athens at 06.00hrs
once again to a calm sea in the bays but once we got out of their shelter WOW it
all happened again, very big sea and strong winds, gale force at times, so
another day of inactivity as moving around the boat was impossible due to
getting thrown from one side to the other. This was the worst day since
leaving Majorca. Very cold too, had to wear fleeces all day. Duly
arrived at the island of Serifos and another calm bay with great views of the
tiny town up on the hill top. Dinner on board and another early night (don't
know how we can sleep so much)
Departed Serifos @ 07.20 on Tuesday and arrived at
Amorgos @17.00. Yet another bumpy day but not as bad as yesterday.
This was an isolated little bay with only a few local fishing boats anchored and
a (closed) taverna on the beach, no sign of life other than that. Were
joined later by another small Catamaran but were very entertained by a large
white goose and his 3 duck friends. Elaine insisted we feed them the
lovely brown bread I was saving for toast in the morning (such a softie)
but we had a laugh with them trying to get on to the boarding steps on the
pontoon to get at the crumbs. The goose did taste very good with apple
sauce the following night though. Well you've heard about these sailors at
sea for ages and running out of food!!! Only joking!! He
did swim round us for the rest of the night quacking away and looking for
more food, even after we put the lights out and went to bed.
The boys got up and set sail @ 06.00 on
Wed. morning for Niseros while the girls had a lie in. A bit calmer again
but still quite bumpy. Did a bit of sailing again - on and off - as the
wind was swirling around so sails were up and down a lot. Very very cold
again but arrived at our destination at 15.30hrs and very happy to get on terra
firma again and looking forward to a nice night ashore after 2 on board and a
nice dinner. Lovely and warm in the little harbour where we tied up
alongside. A local ferryboat man helped and said it was OK to tie up
there. Went ashore to the taverna on the harbour for a beer. Went
back to the boat for a shower and change before walking into the small
town. A very officious young woman arrived and asked to speak to the
Captain and said we could not stay tied up alongside and must go stern on (this
after we had been there for 2 hours). Jim was talking to the ferryman at
the time and he said "don't argue with her, she is the harbour official"
Jim tried to tell her that we were going to leave very early in the morning and
it was not safe for us to go stern on in the prevailing conditions but she was
not open for negotiation and told him if he didn't do as she said she would get
the Civil Police down to him.' Welcome to Niseros' I don't think so!! We
were all so annoyed at her attitude that we upped sticks and sailed to a bay on
an adjacent island and anchored there for the night. Our lovely dinner
became bacon, egg & beans but was enjoyed by all.
Now sailing in lovely warm weather and calm sea
again down the coast of Turkey (very close) to Rhodes where we plan to stay
for 2 nights and look around a bit. D & I were here 33 years ago so it
will be interesting to see the changes.
Well me 'arties that's all for now and the next
blog will be from Turkey.
Capt'n Jim, Long John Silver and the Galley
Slaves
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