On 3rd October we said goodbye to 'Aris' the 'harbour master' at Ayios Eufimia.

The Ionian is beautiful but we have certainly left a little piece of our hearts in Kefalonia.

We motored north and then raised the sails getting a great sail up the Ithaka channel. As we reached open water between the islands of Kefalonia and Levkas there was a big swell filtering into the mouth of the channel, an indication of strong winds out at sea between the Ionian and Italy.

We lost the wind as we neared Levkas trickling along with the sails fluttering all dry in the late afternoon sunshine.

By 18.19 hrs we were anchored in Vlikho and in the still air we dropped the huge genoa to the foredeck, folding it in the evening sun. We raced against the dropping sun to fold the sail and to have it stowed before the sun was finally lost behind the surrounding mountains.

Hard work but what a location and sunset.

We lifted anchor to move to a more open space for the night. After dark we began to get strange  depth readings out in the middle of the large inland lake......flicking quickly from 4.6m to 2.9m under the keel and back a sign of sitting over some debris. We decide to lift anchor and move, motoring carefully and very slowly with torches, watching surrounding anchored yachts in the darkness. Finally we re anchored at 22.50 hrs settling to a calm un disturbed night.

The next morning we raised the mainsail at anchor in the hot sun, allowing it to air before dropping it to the decks. Then began the huge task of correctly folding and stowing and lifting the heavy weight inside the boat using halyards ( mast ropes ) .

Tioram lost her wings for 2013.

Photos of the huge sails being folded on the decks.

Love to all

T and T x xx