On 24^th June with a strong wind forecast for the following couple of days, we lifted our anchor at 09.45hrs and motored north up the channel between the islands of Levkas and Meganisi.

We decided to sail north past Vlikho towards the Island of Skorpios, making de-sal water en route to fill out tanks. This is the private Island owned until a few months ago by the Onassis family.

It was one of the homes of Aristotle Onassis and Jackie Kennedy- Onassis. In the late 60’s and 70’s it wold have been an island paradise free from publicity and with views across the Ionian ‘inland’ sea.

We motored through a small channel between the island of Skorpios and skorpidhi, on the quay was a large superyacht where once the Onassis motor yacht ‘Christina’ was moored. Further in the channel we saw another large motor superyacht anchored near the island. We wondered who was visiting, as there was a security guy patrolling the shoreline.

We have subsequently been told that the granddaughter of Aristotle Onassis, Athena, has recently sold the island to a Russian buyer……..an end to an era.

Later we tucked into Vlikho, a bay almost like a lake and anchored with one other yacht on the east shore near some lovely tavernas with small dinghy docks.  The atmosphere was very like the Caribbean but with tranquil still water, music playing out from the shore and yachts anchored neatly together.

During the day a flotilla of charter yachts closely surrounded us.  With a still evening we weren’t concerned and enjoyed a nice evening out with a couple from another boat. At 01.30am the next day we were fortunately still up as Tony had dropped the other couple back to their boat way across the bay. He thought it was strange as in Vlikho there was quite a bit of wind. We decided to get the dinghy on deck and leave everything ready to move…. just in case… as we always do at anchor.

At around 2am on 25^th, strong gusts 20 plus hit us and the surrounding flotilla. The wind speed was not that great but it came from almost nothing.

Being a larger boat with more scope of chain out and the small boats anchored closely on small length of chain, we closed on them quickly.  So in the dark of 2 am we lifted anchor in 20 plus knots, banged on the nav lights and Tony lifted the anchor, me on the helm and with our radios and Tony’s visibility on the bow we threaded our way very carefully through a gaggle of boats.  Our usual routine of boat readiness really paid off, but it tests the nerves.

We re anchored in the middle of the ‘pond’,enormous bay well away from everyone, the gust finally went through like an Atlantic squall (but without rain) and the wind actually dropped to 2-3 knots.

By 4am we finally slept for the remainder of the night.

The highs and lows of sailing eh!

Photos of…….

Vlikho ‘pond’ from the top of the mast.  Levkas.

The Onassis Island of Skorpios with super motor yachts

Love to all

Tina and Tony x x x