Saturday 1^st August – Port Vathi, Ithaca – Port Kastos, Nísos Kastos

38:34.136N 20:54.668E

Last night the wind eventually died down late evening and we were able to sleep.  This morning, after breakfast we moved on.

Once again it was the flat calm, hazy sea, and we motored across the short distance to Nísos Atako and anchored off a beautiful bay called One House Bay (because there is only one house in the bay – in fact I think there is only one house on the very small island).

We stayed here for a couple of hours and went swimming at last in the promised crystal clear water.  I had thought it might be off the beaten track but there were quite a number of boats there when we arrived, and quite a turnover of boats whilst we were there. 

I spoke with one boat, a German boat, which had been anchored in the bay over night.  He was off somewhere else as they had experienced F6/F7 winds gusting down through the bay last night and when I spoke to a neighbouring Swiss boat they said the same.  After a rough time last night, we decided this was not a place for the night and we motored on after lunch here to Nísos Kastos, another tiny island, but with a very small harbour where one can anchor onto the quay. 

Unfortunately the quay was full and our only option was a stern-to manoeuvre onto the shore with long lines ashore.  We were beautifully placed for coming between a motor boat and a yacht, and were half way in, when the yacht came screaming at us to get out as they didn’t want us so close – they were worried because they had been swinging around in the strong winds the previous night.  So, we ended up trying to go stern to the shore in a pretty shallow area at the end, but, feeling guilty for ousting us, the yacht crew came to help with our lines.  It was just turning into a spectator sport as the wind had decided to join in the action when we were rescued by the guy on the motor boat with his dinghy, an Aussie with a sense of humour and a ‘no worries’ outlook on life. 

We are now anchored in one of the shallowest places we have ever been in and have tried to ensure that we are firmly in place with two shore lines pulled in tightly. 

This evening, as the wind has remained light, we went ashore for a walk on this beautiful tiny island and up to the windmill (no longer working) on the headland where we had a drink (now a café) and enjoyed the fantastic views over the islets around the area. 

Whilst we were there, the chap from the motor boat turned up with his family and expressed his wonder at why the yacht had asked us to move – he was absolutely fine with us coming in beside him.  He said that the yacht which had turned up at sunset, which we had seen come in from the café, had not only berthed where we were going to park but was resting alongside the other boat on its fenders!

After a pleasant beer we have wandered back to the boat for dinner and are pleased to say that currently we are having a much quieter night than last night – touch wood.