36:48.47N 25:47.13E

Last night was not a night to relive.  After sun set the winds increased as did the thunderstorms.  These became huge with winds running around 40 knots with peaks at 50 knots.  Glad I decided to throw out more anchor rode so we now had 65 meters out (200 kilos of chain and 65 lbs anchor).  When the strong gusts hit we stood still as did the other boats nearby.  But at 50 knot it is possible to get blown off the deck!  The dodger and bimini stayed up as they have since we bought the boat, no issue.

What was more expensive was the lightning hitting close by.  Once again the Raymarine electronic systems took a partial hit.  This time we lost the GPS and thereby loss use of the autopilot.  The wind meter also stopped working on some meters but was fine on others.  So the new method to travel to Amorgor was to use the Chartplotter charts and the handheld Garmin GPS plus Radar for our location.  Back to basics.  Need to look at the islands and get bearings and confirm as needed with the Garmin to make sure we were not way off.  This is not a problem just need to be vigilant.

Loss of the autopilot is also something we have before.  It gives a chance to reacquaint one with the helm.

Leaving this morning was a mixed decision.  If we waited another day it meant longer passages to N. Kos our next real destination.  Leaving today cut down the daily distance but meant we had to passage through the remnants’ of last night high winds, large waves.  The “rush” to Kos is to beat the change in wind direction of Friday.  Right now the winds are from the south and make a few nice anchorages available.  Once they turn south (from the north) the anchorages change and it is also more likely the winds will be higher in speed.

So at 08:00 we left our calm anchorage, rounded the north end of Paros and motored down the channel between Paros and Naxos.  As expected the winds were higher, about 28-30 knots and right on the nose.  The waves were not too bad until be turn east under Naxos.  Then we became beam to the unchecked fetch south of Naxos.  2-3 meter waves but they at least had a rhythm and not a chop, still pitched stuff around the boat including some old wine bottles that committed suicide on the floor.  Pat went down and cleared the mess.  Tough job in rolling seas, not something for anyone prone to seasickness, she did well.

After slogging our way east with wind and waves breaking over the boat we reached Amorgor.  The first anchorage we looked at was small and already had three boats.  Not for us.  Up the coast a mile we selected a narrow long “fiord” with sand bottom.  Actually this anchorage is mentioned in the pilot guide and shows on the charts but no other details like how deep is the water.  In Greece there are so many coves that about half have no bathymetry data.  So it is like entering a place for the first time.  Stare at the depth finder, look at the shoreline and creep slowly in.  Anyway it is impressive with steep walls on each side (goats of course on it).  Up to the head and dropped anchor.  The CQR dragged in the hard sand so we went at it again.  It dug this time and I again dove the anchor to check its set.  Not the best so I had Pat back up on it after I gave it a push down into the sand.  This time it dug is deeper.  So in 3.5 meters of water we let out 40 meters chain (no confidence in the CQR anchor to hold).

The fiord was all ours until one charter boat with 5 German guys arrived.  They also crept into the anchorage until they saw us.  Then they knew it was deep enough and sped up.  They anchored very well and are not noisy, no issues.

At night the normal thunderstorm came thru at 03:00.  Swinging around in the dark with rock walls is not the best .  The anchor chain grinding across rocks but everything held.  The Germans also were up and watching, good guys.

Looking out to the north or the entrance to the anchorage.  It is a good place with southerly winds.  From the north it would be a disaster.  I had to trust the depth finder even after the previous night lightning disruption to some of the instruments.  Swimming down on the anchor let me confirm it was reading correctly.  Need to make up a lead line for the future.

Nice hearing the goats with bells, just like Switzerland.