14th May--Tioram approaches Greece. 37:29.42N 019:17.39E
Tioram 4
Tina & Tony
Sat 14 May 2011 14:01
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Our first twenty four hours out of Gozo saw us with
17 to 24 knots true wind from NNW direction. The cross seas were quite
lumpy giving us an uncomfortable ride. We were feeling queasy and it was
quite hard work sailing and dodging tanker traffic, probably en route to the
Suez Canal.
Yesterday, 13th, saw the wind reduce, the seas
flatten out and the wind back to a westerly. Great wind direction but it
reduced only allowing us to trickle along on the Genoa ( foreward sail ) only.
We had a comfortable night, both of us getting some good rest whilst the other
was on watch.
We are now a little short of wind but the ride is
great and we are creeping towards Greece. We have just heard on the radio a
Nato war ship calling other vessels-- a sharp reminder of the problems in
Libiya, not so far away.
Well, we have 80 nautical miles to go and our
dear family and close friends will know that Tony always wanted to go sailing,
but the dream for us to live on a boat and sail to Greece was born in 1995
during a holiday to Zakinthos.
We hired a Scooter to tour the island, 50cc, very
ungain the two of us, with one of us having to get off to go up steep hills ! We
know how pathetic we were when an elderley gentleman passed us on his cycle on a
flat road across the island--- really--- it's true.
One early morning we scootered to Zakinthos town
and around the harbour. We saw a small, well worn and much travelled yacht
that was moored 'stern too' the wall. A couple of fellas were asleep
in sleeping bags, it was hot in August, uncomfortable without any trimmings---
the simplicity of life, low cost, travelling, raw and basic--- living on board
and we both said, ' We want to do that ! '
And so the following year we were lucky to order
our first boat, we rushed out and bought the Greek Cortesey flag ( for use in
Greek Territorial waters) and Rod Heikell's, Greek Pilot book ( for
anchorages and safe approaches to the islands ).
Six months later we got Tioram One---- but the
dream and the cortesy flag came first.
So in 1996 we made our future plans to sail to
Greece, we are as you can see, a little late but fifiteen years later it
is no less sweet. We left our home port, Hamble, Uk on 31st May 2009 to
head for Greece with a bit of a planned detour to the Caribbean----- but the
destination was always Greece.
The flag isn't up yet and what a moment that will
be for us, but we are playing Greek music ( how sad is that !!) and reminiscing
about all the lovely days we have planned to come here and also all the
difficult and hard work times, when nothing seems to go well----- and the
thought of Greece lightened the day.
It feels as you can imagine, a little unreal to be
actually nearly there.............. So tomorrow we
will hopefully moor Tioram 4 'stern too' on the harbour wall in
Zakinthos-------- and maybe see a couple on a 50cc scooter and perhaps inspire a
'dream' for their future ??
Love to all--- sorry no photos as on satellite
phone.
T and T x x x
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