Farthest North
Gillyb
Wed 3 Aug 2011 16:44
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Position: 39:22.02N 24:05.14E
Hi Folks, We have been up North to a deserted
island which has the most amazing inner bay. First picture though
shows our boat tucked into Rousoumi on Alonnisos Island which is definitely not
deserted. From here we went back up the east side to Steni
Vala (second pic) which was a pretty place where we were bows to with the kedge
anchor out. A bit tricky getting off the front over the anchor and
only to be attempted wearing shorts and stable footwear!
We left Steni Vala quickly as the kedge anchor
dragged when the yacht next door left and cross winds threatened to park us
sideways on the quay! That drama over we managed to recover
everything and set off north to see Nisos Kira Panayia. There is a
bay on the north of the island with a very narrow entrance and a 'bar' and then
once inside there are two forks and we chose the first one and free anchored
with only about 3 other boats there and loads of space. The island
is uninhabited except for a monastery (with one monk) and lots of
goats!
The peace and quiet was amazing - especially
as we realised that we had no telephone contact with the outside world at all
for three days! We also found the night-sky very dramatic without the
ambient light of any towns etc.
We set off on Monday and had a night in an equally
quiet south bay then made our way back towards Alonnisos. The
clouds looked threatening and we saw a large water spout (see pic) and then two
smaller ones - fortunately all far enough away from us.
Back in telephone range now and we are in a bay
called Milia. The plan was to go today (Wed) back to Skopelos
harbour - so we set off and the sea got rougher and the clouds got
blacker! So as we neared Skopelos it was a horrible sea state
and 30 knots of squally winds and the thunder and lightening was
spectacular. We did an about turn and flew back to Milia
with reefed jib at 8.2 knots to free anchor in the bay again. It
then rained cats and dogs for a good hour or two. Washed the boat
pretty well but was a bit dramatic all round. This evening all is
calm again and we are trying to check the weather to see whether the meltemi is
going to stop us going to Skopelos. We may go back to Elios
instead. In any event we are now on our way back towards Athens so
revisiting some of the ports we have already discovered.
We hope you are all enjoying the hot
weather!
Bye for now
Gilly B
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