Mitilini - Lesvos

Serafina
Rob & Sarah Bell
Sun 17 May 2009 19:31
39:05.8N 26:33.5E
Sunday 17th May

Woke up to very wet decks this morning which is a sure sign of a windless
day....and today was no exception.

Left Mandraki Town around 8.00am along with three other yachts and after
taking care to avoid the reefs off the western side of the island, we set a
course for the long and hot 40 mile crossing to Lesvos island and its
principle harbour at Mitilini.

Spotted a few dolphin around the halfway mark, but otherwise this was a very
hot slog and a clear reminder of what it can be like in the middle of the
summer!

The only excitement came near the end when we met our old friend the
Hellenic Seaways fast ferry, which had just left Mitilini and was getting up
to full speed as it went past us in the opposite direction at 26 knots and
rising. The wake was like no other wake we have ever experienced and went a
long way to explaining the problems we had in Khios harbour. The waves (and
that is what they were) were huge and vertical and so Serafina bucked in a
way that was reminiscent of the North sea in a force 7 gale! A good job all
the hatches were closed as the bows buried themselves in successive waves
sending a big wall of water down along the deck. Not quite what we were
expecting out of a dead flat calm sea. Then for good measure as this vessel
also has a huge stern wake you get a repeat performance a minute or so
later!

Moored stern-to on the town quay in Mitilini harbour which has all the
hallmarks of having a very noisy and late night life as well as being a busy
ferry port. Very hot and stuffy (and noisy) so we took a walk in the early
evening round to the marina at the southern end of the harbour (the usual
part built but now abandoned arrangement) and spoke to a very helpful German
couple on a Najad 391 who were adamant that we should move as soon as
possible as they had once stayed on the town quay and had not had a moment's
respite! The revelry continues until 8.00am when a fresh load of people
arrive on the next ferries and so on.... So we walked back and brought
Serafina round, getting a great space alongside the quay, just in front of
the very nice French couple that we had met last night in Mandraki. The crew
from Sandpiper who had also sailed over from Mandraki with us today and who
had moored ahead of us on the town quay decided to stay at least for one
night, but only because they were using the water and electric which is not
available in the marina.

In fairness the port police who were very helpful and accommodating, had
earlier suggested that we might not enjoy the town quay and that we should
think about moving to the marina anyway. I asked about the cost and got the
usual response to say that it made no difference, the cost was the same
wherever you stay in these harbours...mostly nothing or perhaps a few euro
nominal charge.

Very pleased to have made the move as we now have privacy, quiet and cool
breeze! We also are in a good position should the expected wind arrive in
the next day or so.

Sarah tells me there is plenty of culture to enjoy here whilst we let the
strong winds pass through, but not sure either I, or this log could handle
another dose quite so soon!! We shall see.....