Das ist nicht gut! (Hydra)

 

23 June 2020 (Dokos - Hydra)

Seem to be writing a lot of these at the moment, but the places we are seeing definitely deserve a mention. 

Last night at sun set - or at least the time when the sun usually goes down, as it was blocked by a sky filled with angry clouds, we experienced our worst storm so far.  

We were anchored just off the pebble beach/ rocky shoreline at Dokos, and had set anchor the opposite way to the way the fierce wind was whipping up. Torrential rain hammered us and was accompanied by frequent loud and close thunder and the associated lighting flashes. Time for the electrics to hide in the microwave... 

We both joked our way through it - at one point Chez kanchoing me to make me jump upright and ensure my head was higher than hers to avoid being electrocuted! 

As storms always do - it passed. Our anchor held, and we ended up having an early night.

Woke with the flotilla of charter boats which we’d watched shuffle into position last night still lined up like good little soldiers. They headed off, with us following shortly behind. Heading to Hydra, with plan A being Mandraki bay - a small sheltered bay about 20mins walk out of town. We managed to sail in light winds and made it there at around midday. The bay was empty, but something of a letdown after the secluded beauty of Dokos and the glorious main town of Hydra, which we’d just passed.

After heading into shore and realising the drop off was quite steep, we opted to try our luck back at the main town quay. Fenders and ropes quickly on place, and once again an angst ridden Skipper Cheese was med mooring us into what seemed to be the last available spot. 

With a little help from our new neighbour (one of the Romanian flotilla members) we were soon tied back and taking in the view.

The town extends around the fisherman’s quay and rapidly up a majestic surrounding hillside. The buildings are mainly white with blue shuttered windows and low terracotta roofs, and enough greenery and dotted cypress pines to complete the picture.

We strolled around the quay taking it all in and meeting the large population of both soft and friendly cats. 

There were also groups of somewhat sad, but healthy looking donkeys and mules standing around in direct sun waiting to carry tourists around - a shameful spectacle really. 

Returned to the boat as more yachts arrived, dashing back to find a German charter boat wedging his stern in to our bow. I don’t recall the exact conversation now but it went along these rough lines:

Me: I don’t think you’ll fit in there, and there’s a big chain underneath your rudder.

Him: Ja Ja - take my rope Tommy.

(I take the rope as his stern continues to mash into our bow and our chain begins to scrape his keel)

Me: Das ist nicht gut! (and throw the rope back)

Him: Gott in Himmel you’ll pay for this!!

(He then adjusts his monocle, draws his finger along the outline of his duelling scar, fixes his one good eye on me and snarls...)

Him: Ve shall meet again!! 

.....well it was something like that anyway. He left the quay, but up until 10 at night more boats kept arriving, with varied approaches to the situation - some successful, some not so much. 

We were visited by a pair of ginger cats for the afternoon, and when not boat spotting, we coodged and fed those two. The other entertainment of the afternoon, was another German related skit - some early drinking charterers sang, played (not too bad) music too loud and shouted 'Whoooo' repeatedly throughout the afternoon, at one point showering each other as they danced on the back step - suspect they’re only out for a week, and have probably been locked down for the last few months so, understandable letting off a bit of steam - that said, if they play up again tonight and keep me awake, I will be putting them on ‘the list’. 

We enjoyed a tasty, Chez made, stuffed mushroom dinner. Followed by a full tummied and tired stroll around the town, now subtly lit for the evening. Then back to the boat for an early ish night on the way meeting neighbours Bogdon and Lea - a nice Romanian couple who seemed keen to buddy up for a trip to Poros - we’ll see. (Edit : they left the next morning - their fellow charterers having voted against them)