27^th May  LEFKAS

38 49.9 N   20 42.8 E

The plan was to have a slow day sailing up to Lefkas, stopping for a swim somewhere in a sunny blue bay with green clear water….the slow start worked. We didn’t get away til about 12.15 (after a great breakfast of yogurt/honey/fruit/muesli)….but the sky blackened, wind got up, right on the nose ca 25 kts in the Meganisi Channel. I had a text saying Susannah was in Lefkas already, having got a very early flight, noone felt like swimming, so we headed up to the Lefkas channel.

The heavens opened just as I was trying to avoid a ferry, visibility was dreadful, the rain was lashing my face, we had hail, and another ferry loomed up from the opposite direction. There were two or three other yachts about in various stages of disarray. I was soaked to the bone within a couple of minutes, Tim got his oilies on and took the helm, I went below dried off and put on mine, and on we went.

Things eased off, we found the channel, but the sky was black. I just knew the heavens would open again just as we arrived. Which it did, lashing down again. I’d given the marina plenty of warning – but when we got there it was “Stand by for 5 minutes and we’ll let you know”….so everyone huddled under the sprayhood while we waited and waited. Eventually a marinero signalled us to a berth, I caught a fixed line under the keel on my first pass, there was very little room, but no damage done we pushed and pulled ourselves off, and were in a couple of minutes later, all wet in the pouring rain. Welcome to our new home……

So – having started at Lagos at 10.20 on March 31^st, Psyche’s journey ended at 15.10 in Lefkas marina on May 27^th, 8 weeks and 1 day later. Nobody missed a flight, everybody joined and left on time and there were only 2 occasions where the trip to or from the airport was further than anticipated, neither by significant distances.

Psyche and the crew arrived in good shape, and the heavy rain has left her sparkling, I’ve seldom seen the windshield so clean. The plan now is to enjoy the Ionian through the summer, and maybe resume the blog when we move on once again, as I’m sure we will. Right now it’s rest up, clean up and enjoy. Very many thanks to all who sailed with me on what was once just an idea, but which actually all worked out. It’s been a great trip!

Today we covered 15 NM.

Trip total covered 1769 NM in 8 weeks and 1 day, 31^st March to 27^th May inclusive.