South to the Dodecanese Islands

Serafina
Rob & Sarah Bell
Fri 14 Aug 2009 19:28
37:27.4N 26:59.2E

Friday 14th August

Went ashore first thing to buy bread and use the internet and bumped into
several crews doing much the same thing.

Quick social whirl of saying goodbye to the various crews out in the bay and
then around 11.30 am raised the anchor and set out for The Dodecanese
Islands.

Started out with a fresh north easterly breeze and were soon making 6 to 7
knots, but gradually this faded away and after about an hour, we resorted
briefly to the engine. This was the cue for the wind to back round to the
north west and pipe up again and after only 10 minutes of motoring we were
back romping along at 6 and 7 knots again on a steady beam reach. Glorious
weather and 15 knots of breeze was not far short of perfect.

All too soon we were rounding the bottom of Agathonisi Island and tacking
between two islands towards the little fishing harbour on the south side.
When we got there we could see that it was a bit busy and dusty so we spun
round and whizzed back downwind to a set of bays at the south eastern tip of
the main island. Dropped the sails and motored in and found ourselves a
lovely spot just clear of an American yacht. We were joined shortly
afterwards by a Swiss yacht and enjoyed a nice swim. Sadly for me, Sarah's
swim took her to the beach where she found any number of 'perfect' stones
for polishing, several of which she brought back with her. The rest she put
to one side and plans to collect them in the dinghy tomorrow.