On 24th Sept at 11.30 hrs we slipped our mooring lines from Sami harbour to motor and then sail in lovely hot sunshine around the south tip of Ithaka to anchor in Fliatrou bay on the Islands East coast.

The bay has stunning turquoise water over a white pebbled seabed and is a lovely anchorage.

The bay in late season was quieter than normal but we had the company of a super motor yacht.

After a couple of hours we continued north along the coast turning into the large natural harbour of Vathy. We never tire of arriving here. The grand arrival is like sailing into a fjord surrounded by mountains which slope gently to the sea covered in olive trees and cypress trees and terracotta roofed houses. Always feeling more like Tuscany than Greece to me. Of course the venetians occupied these islands for 300 years in the past, so there is undoubtedly an influence.

We luckily got the last place large enough for us on the waterfront at 16.45 hrs.

The waterfront was surprisingly full quite early for late season.

Love to all

Tina and Tony x x

Photos of Filiatrou bay and

Vathy, Ithaka.