40:08.18N 23:24.10E Fokaia

Ariel of Hamble
Jim and Valerie SHURVELL
Tue 11 Sep 2018 08:37
Tuesday 10th July, 2018.
We woke up to a brilliant sunny day as usual and happily after buying
bread and a few supplies left the crowded sardine boat harbour to sail
across to Fokaia which has been our goal for this year’s trip.
We saw one or two boats only all day as we covered the 20.07 miles
from one finger to another. Very pleased to say the water temperature
is 26.5 degrees which is very acceptable.
We anchored near a 60+ Lagoon which had four crew who spent their time
washing and polishing for the next four days until their charterers or
owners appeared.
The little harbour has it resident four charter power boats tucked in
behind the wall but on the other side a good size wall a little open
to the elements but in quiet weather would be good if the depth was
good. At night we found the locals all fish along this wall and
others walk along from the restaurants which overlook it the hundred
yards to the end and back. Jim took the plum line in the dinghy and
was very pleased to see it would suit our needs if necessary.
After a quick change we went ashore to wave and welcome our youngest
daughter and her family to Aftos. This is the main reason we are so
far north this year.
We had a brilliant week enjoying the joys of being a parent and
grandparent. Each day we motored along to their hotel and Jim would
pick them up in the dinghy and they came out to us or we would dinghy
ashore. The colour of the water was so blue and the temperature
wonderful. Our granddaughter loved the boat with her own paddling pool
and swimming from it. It was indeed fun to swim in their hotel pool or
lunch at the beautiful hotel overlooking the view between the two
fingers.
The only hiccup was on the Friday evening as we sat finishing dinner
at the beach restaurant there was a sudden change of wind and we were
on our toes and running to the dinghy as Ariel was now swinging from
one side to another. Luckily we didn’t have the outboard on as the
waves were hitting us fast and furiously. Jim said several times we
not going to make it as he rowed as hard as he could with Ariel
changing sides to us all the time. Lizzie was watching from the shore
which made it even worse knowing she was very upset seeing the
problems we were having. I was giving instructions left, right no
left again. We finally made it and after a struggle we both managed to
get aboard. We got the dinghy up on the davits and Jim got the engine
going. I crawled up to the bow and with a combined effort of Jim on
the wheel and me on the anchor we got away and out to sea. I was
soaked from my head to my toes as the water came over the bow before I
crawled back to the cockpit. Lots of waving went on and we were told
the next day several of the guests at the hotel who had met us were
watching from the balcony.
We couldn’t be sure how long this wind was going to last as it was not
forecasted so we decided to make for Neo Marmaras as we knew we
probably wouldn’t be able to get into the harbour due to all the
spaces being taken but the small bay outside would be safe as it was
sand. Half way across the wind dropped considerably but what do you do
turn around hoping it will have calmed in the mean time or carry on.
We carried on.
40:05.29N 23:47.39E Nea Marmaras
We anchored in the very dark bay at 12.35 a.m. hoping we were far
enough off the beach for a quiet night.

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