Skala, Patmos Island
Serafina
Rob & Sarah Bell
Mon 17 Aug 2009 14:28
Sunday 16th August
Wind got around dawn and was soon blowing 20+ knots which had our attention!
The mooring was sound though and the only couple of boats that felt the need
to move were ones that had taken ropes ashore and now found themselves
broadside to the wind.
We got off around 10.00am and hoisted a reefed main to balance the staysail
and were soon romping through a quite heavy sea towards the island of
Patmos. Strange conditions as the sea was quite rough but the wind was only
blowing around 20 knots and sometimes less. We met quite few yachts coming
the other way and some of them were reefed down to just a scrap of headsail
which would have made it a long slow and very bouncy trip for them. As we
arrived in the main bay on Patmos, the wind increased to 25 knots and it was
all a bit lively. We could see boats in most of the bays as we sailed past,
but there was plenty of room if we had to come back for any reason.
We pressed on to the main port of Skala which is very well hidden and was
very full. It has a quay for cruise ships, but this was empty today. We
headed for the anchorage at the head of the inlet only to find that this no
longer exists and is all occupied by boats attached to quays. As it happened
though there was a space on the town quay, but this was at right angles to
the 25 knot wind and we sat and thought about this option for a few minutes
before deciding to give it a go!
All went well and we slid into a very snug berth between two British yachts
who were very welcoming. A brief look at the chandlery shop across the road
proved very helpful as they stocked a number of items that we have been
trying to find for weeks now.
After a late lunch and a snooze we wandered around the town which is
delightful and eventually returned to Serafina around 6.30 pm whereupon we
were invited on board Restless Lady (Colin and Jill), our next door
neighbours for a G & T. This developed into several drinks as we chatted and
they had to contact the restaurant they were going to, in order to delay
their table until 9.00pm.
Up early tomorrow to walk up to the Monastery of St John the Divine, which
sits on top of the hill overlooking this natural harbour. Full history
lesson perhaps tomorrow.....