Monday 16^th May – Mykonos

37:27.870N 25:19.550E

This morning we went for a walk into Mykonos Town, quite a hike from Tourlos where we are based. 

Just as we were leaving Pyxis though, our neighbours on a charter boat beside us decided to leave.  As they went out it was clear there was a problem with the anchors.  Although the chains looked fine, as they pulled theirs in it was apparent they had laid theirs on an angle, and since we had come in after them and ours was out straight in front of us, theirs was under ours.  Fortunately there was little wind so they could take their time sorting the problem.  We dropped out lots of slack on our chain and a seasoned Brit a couple of boats down hopped in his dinghy and rowed out to show them how to release the crossed chains.  Soon they were clear and all was well, the chap in the dinghy checked our anchor and it was still well in (‘heading for Australia’ was how he put it).  We pulled in our chain again and ran our engine hard astern to double check all was well.

After that excitement, we headed off towards town once more.  Once in Mykonos Town, we wandered around the Old Port and then through the town itself with its freshly whitewashed cubic buildings (looking more like a film set than a real town), getting lost in the delightfully tiny streets and alleyways crammed with numerous shops, expensive boutiques and tavernas. 

Mykonos is renowned for being very touristy, particularly in July and August; however, as it is just the start of the season, and today being Monday (a closing day for attractions such as Delos), there were no cruise ships in and so, with the sun out, it was very pleasant wandering around. 

We visited the windmills at the top of the hill on the far side and having seen the cars, scooters and quad bikes trying to drive through the narrow streets and the haphazard parking, we decided that perhaps we wouldn’t be hiring a car to come into town.

Having picked up a few supplies we walked back to the marina.  During the afternoon we were surprised to see the arrival Jane and Steve on Castaway who had just sailed across from Siros.  Richard went to catch their lines and they popped down for a drink after getting waylaid for drinks on another boat first – quite a welcome to Mykonos for them!

Thankfully the German boat didn’t disappear at first light so this evening we were finally able to invite the couple on board for a drink.  Christina and Rolf are absolutely lovely and we are planning to take a trip to Delos together tomorrow morning.