Limnos
Arwenofbosham
Rob and Jacky Black
Thu 14 Jul 2011 09:30
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39: 52.3 N 25:03.5 E
Limnos Monday 4th July
After a night in Aliki bay at anchor - on the
southern end of Thassos we set off bright and early for our sail to Limnos.
(Aliki bay was delightful crystal clear water well sheltered with a couple of
tavernas on the foreshore
we went for a drink in one but ate on board that
night.) We had no wind and then wind on the nose plus an adverse current for
part of the way so progress was slow. However once we had cleared the north
western headland on the approach to
the west coast we picked up a favourable wind shift
and current so the last part of our journey was speedier. En route we were able
to see the towering heights of Samothraki to the east and the Top of Mount
Athos to the west quite spectacular - no wonder the ancient Greeks had
these places as sacred sites.
We dropped anchor off the town quay in
Mirina at 1600 ( the quay was busy tho' later we saw 2 large charter boats
push their way in to spaces we thought were too small for us!) the water was
clean and we were able to see the anchor bed in at 8 metres! We all swam as it
was still very warm. Later we launched the dinghy and went ashore to explore. We
found there was only one main electric box which was a long way from most of the
boats and only one water point (both were near to the small inner fishing boat
harbour) to the eastern end of the quay. The harbour chart in Heikell's Pilot
book is inaccurate there is now a new long breakwater that extends from the
northern shore out to the west which offers good protection in the bay. There is
a new Ferry quay on the south west corner and small coasters and larger
military/ customs vessels also use this. The town was lovely - with some
nice classical town houses on the north west bay. Plenty of shops and tavernas
too and the old castle up on the hill to the west of the town was lit tastefully
at night.
The following morning we headed south to Thanos Bay
where we anchored and swam and generally relaxed. We were for a time the only
boat there one other arrived late in the day, and it was gorgeous! We took the
dinghy ashore - walked along the sandy beach and checked out the 3 tavernas
before choosing one for a cooling pitcher of wine (the local white is delicious
and renown all over northern Greece). next day we headed for Moudros bay some 12
miles south. This bay was the anchorage used by the Allied Fleet during the
Gallipoli campaign and is a very large natural harbour offering many anchorages
around it's shores. We headed for the town as we had been told it boasted a new
quay with power and water. On arrival there seemed to be a new ferry berth and
wall for coasters but the original harbour looked too shallow for us to enter.
We tied to the ship's quay and Robert and Bert went to explore. They came back
with enough information to enable us to creep into the harbour and we tied up
onto the end of a new mole which duly had both water and electricity! It was a
sleepy town with a Cathedral! few shops and fewer people. However we had a very
pleasant stay and a delicious meal in one of the beach front tavernas that
night. Next day having fully charged the boat batteries and filled the water
tanks and spare containers we set off north again for another night at anchor
off Mirina before leaving for the mainland.
We liked Limnos but felt it was not nearly as nice
as Samothraki or Thassos - a bit barren although we understand the south eastern
side has much agriculture and the wine was delicious!
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