Thursday 2^nd June – Órmos Kaloyerou, Lesbos – Mitilíni, Lesbos

39:06.380N 26:33.485E

This morning, after breakfast in the cockpit appreciating the views around the anchorage and out to sea, we took the short trip up the east coast to Mitilíni, the island capital and main harbour.  It will allow us to replenish our fuel and fresh food supplies, both of which we now require.  Also it is protected from the stronger northerlies that are expected in the Central Aegean over the next couple of days.  We will see how the weather patterns around here work before we take a decision on where and when we go next.

The passage up was a bit of a challenge.  As expected, as we rounded the SE corner of Lesbos, the light wind rapidly accelerated and so we had quite a strong head wind for a while as we passed through the acceleration zone.  However, we then found ourselves in a minefield of fishing pots and we had to weave our way around them.

When we arrived in the inner harbour, the Port Police whistled to us from the shore and wanted to know where we had come from and how many were on board.  They are very keen here as it is so close to Turkey.  Happy we were arriving from within Greece they directed us on up to the town quay, asking Richard to report to the Port Office with our papers once we were settled.  Nevertheless, they are very friendly and efficient.

We have opted for a berth on the town quay, managing to get alongside on the north quay so we are being blown off.  The berth we went for was rather tight so we went for our preferred manoeuvre of putting the nose on the quay and then warping the stern in.  We think the boat ahead of us was a bit surprised to find us here when they got back.  We are right in the heart of town, however, the downside is that it is very noisy with traffic and passers-by, particularly after two nights in peaceful anchorages.  Town is particularly busy today as a TUI cruise ship is anchored outside and ferrying its passengers in and out.

Our other option if it is too noisy here is to go to the marina, which is slightly out of town.  We had a walk down there this afternoon and it is a lot quieter with only a handful of boats there (most of the marina is empty), but is a little more expensive than where we are.  We will see how noisy it gets tonight.

The weather has been very hot, with temperatures reaching 32 below deck – the town quay has remained sheltered and still.

This evening we went for a walk through the bustling town and ended up at the small fisherman’s café at the end of the mole by the tiny fishing harbour as the sun went down; it was a very pleasant spot to sit and look out over the harbour and very busy with locals.  We were probably the only tourists; nevertheless we were looked after by the owner and fed some ouzo and meze J

Lesbos:  Mitilíni – around the inner harbour; Pyxis is between the small motor boat and the yacht with the blue hull

Lesbos:  Mitilíni – the tiny fishing harbour and café

Lesbos:  Mitilíni Marina

Lesbos: Mitilíni – town at night

© Pyxis 2011