Monday 25^th July – Mirina, Limnos – Pórto Koufó, Khalkidhiki

39:58.196N 23:55.077E

This morning we were up and off at first light on our way to mainland Greece once again.  We motored out for an hour or so, recharging our batteries, with no wind but increasing chop and swell – suggesting there was wind not far away.  As we exited the lee of Limnos a F4 rapidly filled in and we then took the meltemi (NE wind) across towards Khalkidhiki.  There was quite a swell.  Obviously the wind was quite a bit stronger further east but fortunately our course meant we had both wind and swell abaft the beam making it a little more comfortable.

We were able to sail for a good few hours until we ran out of wind.  I eventually took a transit on Mt Athos on the mainland as we approached and worked out that, with continental drift, it was going to pass ahead of us, so it was time to put the engine on!  As we motored into the coast we were joined by a large pod of dolphins playing at the bow.

We arrived here in Pórto Koufó, around 5pm.  It is an enclosed natural harbour at the foot of Sinthonia, the second of the three fingers of the Khalkidhiki peninsular.  We have anchored just ahead, though a bit too close perhaps, to the first British yacht we have seen in 6-7 weeks, and the only other British yacht here tonight.  Someone came to the bow as we were about to leave and reset to say that they were happy with the distance we were at so we stayed (possibly because they had seen Richard blasting astern to make sure we are set and not going anywhere as it is quite deep to anchor here).

Richard tells me that the yacht belongs to Rod Heikell who wrote the pilot books we are using in Greece and Turkey.

We have eaten on board this evening as yachts have arrived around us; it is quite busy here this evening.  We are having an early night and will explore tomorrow.

There was a bit of drama late evening when a motor boat came in and decided to anchor in front of the Swiss boat to the side of us; unfortunately it took out the anchor of the Swiss boat and it had to reanchor – needless to say the skipper wasn’t happy.  The motor boat decided to go somewhere else for the night in the end.