SERENITY NOW

  27th Aug 2018 (Kos)  Anchored at Kardamaina - after having shuttled back and forth to Kefalos for the last two days to visit Debbie and Lachlan. Poor nights sleep last night with an annoying side on roll of the sea and a number of mosquitos playing the ear flyby game. Woke to tea and glorious sunshine over the water - Chez having spent half the night up on deck for a cooler sleep. Both swam naked off the back of the boat, then a quick wash and rinse off. Took the tender to the quay, a quick ‘hello’ to Paul & Jill ( who’d remained med moored in town ) and off to the supermarket. Quick provisioning trip then back to the boat. Chez then magiced up a lovely Spanish omelette for brekkie.  Anchor up & away! Nice little breeze to start the day, so immediately had both the Genoa and main up.  Half hour in started the usual sniping at each other - not sure who or what is at fault, but wish to fuck it didn’t happen every day. Now 12:30 - sitting below after yet  another round

  22nd Aug 2018 (Kos) Pretty bloody good day yesterday: woke up before dawn, anchored in gentle ripple water just off Kefalos. Decided to get up (not my usual habit), and sat up on deck watching the sun come up while Chez slept on ( she’s been a little poorly with sore throat last couple of days). With sun glowing on the water we made ready to leave and lifted the anchor. We’re heading back towards Kardamaina to reconnect with Paul & Jill, and Mark & Alex on Malu Kai. Got the foresail up without issue - billowing (not flapping) in the 8 -10 knot wind.  When it came to then setting the main, had a devil of job trying to unfurl it - it had creased in the mast. managed, finally, to get it out and felt so satisfied & happy with both sails up, engine off - THIS is what it’s all about! Met by the welcoming committee of Mark and Alex in their tender outside the harbour wall and told there was space on the wall where we’d tied up before - not ideal, but probably better than a

  11th Aug 2018 (Leros) Another sunny day.. breakfasted, then hired a scooter for the day. Having spent the last few days lazing around in Lakki, I’d assumed the rest of the island would be much of the drab dusty same. I was happily proven wrong; outside Lakki’s crumbling Art Deco, lies a wonderful little island with beautiful bays. Having got used to the bike, we stopped for a relaxed lunch in a beachside taverna in Panteli - Back to the boat, quick swim at our local beach, then a shortish siesta, before hopping back on the bike again. This time heading up to the island’s castle. An imposing stone structure that overlooks the approaching sea on all sides. The bike (with its inept driver) struggled up the winding hill climb - but we got there in one piece. What an amazing castle! No-one collecting money, we had it (almost) to ourselves. We strolled around, awed by the spectacle of the thing. After an hour or so, jumped back on the bike and headed home via supermarket. Great day :)

  9th Aug 2018 (Leros) We are moored on the town quay at Lakki on the island of Leros. Weather remains in the barely tolerable mid 30s range from 9am - 7pm: too hot! Lakki is a mix of municipal Greek and pealing, old art deco, pastel painted Italian facades.  The sun baked empty streets have an unkempt, tired dusty feel.  It’s peak tourist season now, but the street cafes and bars are all but empty. Even the local cat population seem slightly more wary than their cousins elsewhere. That said, the bay is beautiful, there’s a small beach within walking distance which we swim in twice a day. In the past, the town was home to both a large prison and a mental asylum, the latter now housing some of the refugees who’ve found their way here from the less desirable locations of this region and beyond.  The refugee population has apparently not hit it off well with the locals: reports of angry clashes, stones thrown, and all the outside volunteers evacuated for their own safety.. that sa

  5th Aug 2018 (Samos to Patmos) Finally left the town of Pythagorio on Samos - really nice spot, but we’d had enough of the cobbled streets and the same scenery (albeit lovely) ...and the music til 4am. (Unlike Char - who texted that he went to Masif at the Shark hotel last night :) ) We’re now heading over, on a very rolling uncomfortable passage, to Patmos. Chez is a little under the weather - not enjoying the sea too much today (sideways swelly, and not enough wind to sail) - bucket is at the ready if required. Suspect Jill will be having an equally miserable time. For now, at least, I appear to have dodged any marine related malaise. Had the new fishing lure dragging behind for a wee while (unsuccessfully)- but I brought it back in to concentrate on my nursing duties - those massive marlin will have to wait for another day. Heard from Al & Jane who are spending the day at the Sydney boat show, followed by Hard Rock Cafe ... strange to think a year ago we were there walki

  2nd Aug 2018 (Samos) Not much sailing going on.. we spent a lazy week anchored in the bay at Posidonia - not much there other than a couple of tavernas and a little shop. We managed to amuse ourselves with dipping in and out of the turquoise water, and reading - met nice Dutch couple (Ag Nikians) Peter and Eveon & their dog: Woozle. We came back to Pythagorio 3 days ago ( really losing track of days and dates ).  The heat has been oppressive since then- hanging around the early 30s with no wind throughout the daylight hours, then dropping to almost tolerable as the bars start to crank up the music. Looking forward to getting underway again soon... and hopefully to get some proper sailing done!