I've realised how far I have got behind with this blog. I'm afraid I've followed my usual pattern of enthusiasm early in the season with lots of posts and photographs gradually tailing off as it winds to a close with fewer and sparser posts.
So just a few highlights of the journey from the Saronic gulf down to Western Crete...
We started with a short hop to the anchorage at the South East of the Gulf under Nissos Spathi. It's a good sandy anchorage with good shelter from most directions. It cuts a couple of hours off the long hop to Milos.
We planned to anchor behind Nissos Kleftiko on the south west corner of Milos. It is spectacular but unfortunately an Easterly swell made it untenable so we motored 2 more hours to Ormos Sakoulas. This was well sheltered from the Easterly and westerly swell and we had a good nigh, planning to set off for Crete at the crack of dawn. I got up at 05:00 to make coffee but no sign of Lucifer. I heard a noise and went out - still no sign other than a slight yowling noise. I finally found him clinging to the rudder, soaked through and frozen. I got him on board and L gave him a warm shower with no complaint. Then she took him to bed to warm him with her body heat. It took half an hour before he stopped shivering. That's down to only 6 lives left.
The journey down to Palaiosoudha on Crete was long but uneventful. We got to the anchorage as darkness fell but had no trouble anchoring or sleeping.
Just because we could, we went all down to Soudha. The advertised VHF 72 call got no answer for an hour. Eventually, I called on 16 and the NATO harbour master answered and switched us to 12. He was very efficient and gave us permission. An interesting journey through the NATA base passing submarines and other warships. The harbour visitors mooring were completely yaken by a huge coastguard launch so we anchored peacefully enough.
The rest of the journey via Rethymno, Bali and Nisos Dhia to Spinalonga was a repetion of teh journey out.
We finally got to see Spinalonga island - by dinghy. It's fascinating and was enhanced further by an art installation entiled "the last leper - you" featuring lots of creatively arranged mirrors.
And to back to Aghios Nikolaos - felt like coming home. See you next year.
So just a few highlights of the journey from the Saronic gulf down to Western Crete...
We started with a short hop to the anchorage at the South East of the Gulf under Nissos Spathi. It's a good sandy anchorage with good shelter from most directions. It cuts a couple of hours off the long hop to Milos.
We planned to anchor behind Nissos Kleftiko on the south west corner of Milos. It is spectacular but unfortunately an Easterly swell made it untenable so we motored 2 more hours to Ormos Sakoulas. This was well sheltered from the Easterly and westerly swell and we had a good nigh, planning to set off for Crete at the crack of dawn. I got up at 05:00 to make coffee but no sign of Lucifer. I heard a noise and went out - still no sign other than a slight yowling noise. I finally found him clinging to the rudder, soaked through and frozen. I got him on board and L gave him a warm shower with no complaint. Then she took him to bed to warm him with her body heat. It took half an hour before he stopped shivering. That's down to only 6 lives left.
The journey down to Palaiosoudha on Crete was long but uneventful. We got to the anchorage as darkness fell but had no trouble anchoring or sleeping.
Just because we could, we went all down to Soudha. The advertised VHF 72 call got no answer for an hour. Eventually, I called on 16 and the NATO harbour master answered and switched us to 12. He was very efficient and gave us permission. An interesting journey through the NATA base passing submarines and other warships. The harbour visitors mooring were completely yaken by a huge coastguard launch so we anchored peacefully enough.
The rest of the journey via Rethymno, Bali and Nisos Dhia to Spinalonga was a repetion of teh journey out.
We finally got to see Spinalonga island - by dinghy. It's fascinating and was enhanced further by an art installation entiled "the last leper - you" featuring lots of creatively arranged mirrors.
And to back to Aghios Nikolaos - felt like coming home. See you next year.
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