We arrived in Port Atheni and dropped our anchor, mooring stern to the rocks with lines ashore at 17.45 on 29^th June.

The wind was gusting on our side/ beam making the tying up more difficult. With only the two of us we have to be very organised, more so in a cross wind.   First we lay long warps along both side decks all ready to run through the fairleads. We tie a big bowline loop in the end of the rope, we find this is easier to swim with, but more so in a tight space between yachts or with a strong cross wind it is ideal to very quickly throw over a rock. We see many people swim to the shore or row in a dinghy only to take soooo long to tie the rope to the rocks that the boat is hitting another or has floated 90 degrees down wind.

When we arrive we normally take a good look at the shoreline, choose a couple of big secure looking rocks, Tony straightens up the boat in the bay with his stern to the chosen rocks.  We both judge the distance we are from the shore as to how much secure chain out we need out--- reasons--- depth of water and predicted weather if strong or light winds forecast.   I start dropping the anchor so that we know its running ok and in the right position in line with the chosen position…. If not we re- lift and start again, but normally we get it right.  Tony reverses to the shore, I continue letting put the chain, when we get about 75ft away, I stop the anchor and swiftly move along the side decks to the transum………….then dive off the back, one rope in hand…… oh by the way with a swimming costume on and of course my trusty goggles, snorkel and not too sexy dive shoes…. it’s a new look I’m trying to sell to the ever stylish Italians….. us Brits know how to do function better !!

Tony keeps some gentle revs on the engine in reverse to hold us in position whilst I swim… quickly… to the shore.  In a cross wind I think my Olympic sprints are worthy of medals.  Speedy dive into sometimes what feels like cold water in 30 plus air degrees, trailing around 180 ft. of rope, head down, front crawl, swimming over rocks and spikey sea anemones until I can finally stand up on slippy rocks, drag the rope out of the water and VERY quickly secure the loop over the planned waiting rock…..HOORAY !!! job done boat secured…. until finally I swim back to the boat, retrieve the second rope on the other side of the boat and repeat the swim to secure to the rocks…….at a lesser pace.   Does Michael Phelps do this I ask myself to win world/Olympic medals ????

Must be love, should have married a domino player or a man who liked camper vans………..mmmh …… now there’s a thought.

With a forecast for more wind, Tony donned his swimming trunks, bless, and added two more safety lines. When the wind topped 25 knots true that evening we were sitting, stress free, well secured enjoying the sunset.

We enjoyed a wonderful week at Port Atheni; I’ll let the photos do the talking for this lovely place.

Photos of……….

Port Atheni bay

Tioram moored to the rocks

In the company of mega huge superyachts…. the white tiny dots are day boats !!!

Love to all

Tina and Tony x x x