Nisís Dhiaporos, Khalkidhiki - Pórto Koufó, Khal kidhiki

Pyxis
Karen & Richard
Thu 4 Aug 2011 22:58

Thursday 4th August – Nisís Dhiaporos, Khalkidhiki - Pórto Koufó, Khalkidhiki

39:58.200N 23:55.064E

 

After breakfast we decided to move on from this wonderful spot and exited the south passage of the island and headed back south.  We charged the batteries and used the water maker to top up the water tanks as we motored along.  As we rounded Ifaloi Kepes reef, the wind had built up enough to actually sail, so we sailed close hauled for a couple of hours down to the end of the finger.

 

As we rounded the finger the wind eased and came astern slowing our progress; at the same time we met a big swell running down from further east where the meltemi has been blowing hard that tossed us around.  Unable to hold sail we motored on getting bounced about even more.  We had the dinghy strapped across the transom and the swell kept causing the tips to dip in the water so we had to slow down and re-strap it up.  Once round the bottom of the finger we became sheltered from the swell by the land and we headed to the anchorage at Pórto Koufó and set our hook, getting a good spot.

 

The Nielson flotilla was in today and their ducklings arrived throughout the afternoon.  When we dinghied ashore later for a drink, we had to walk round to look at the interesting berthing method they employ here (we had heard about it from Jacky on Arwen).  The bay here has a small sandy spit and basically the yachts throw a kedge anchor out behind them as they seemingly go aground on the sand spit, then they take their bow anchor forward and wrap it round a tree, rafting alongside each other.  The reason they can do this is that the spit shallows very quickly and we were told that the sterns of the yachts were still in 9m.  Very different and quite effective but I don’t think I would like to try it with Pyxis.  We had a chat with the lead crew – very chatty and friendly.

 

This evening we ate aboard, having brought back some chips from the bar where we went to for a drink (couldn’t resist them).  As evening approached, there were a few boats on anchor and a few on permanent moorings and everyone appeared to have swinging room; however late evening a charter yacht appeared – at first it went stern to the quay but then came out to the anchorage, and although looking OK with the others at anchor, it looks a bit close to one of the motor boats that is on a mooring if it swings that way.

 

Pórto Koufó, Khalkidhiki

© Pyxis 2011