36 knots, grab bag at the ready and thats on the mooring.
27 July 2017
26th July 2017 Astrous
This morning we awoke to another strong breeze warning in place so the decision was to stay on anchor or move to Astrous, a newly finished harbour with electric and water. Due to having being on anchor for a few days Mike was keen to fill the water tanks so we decided to set off early and beat the winds.
Astrous is described in the pilot book as "a pleasant place to be, with a visit to the castle or right into Astrous proper if you fancy a walk through agricultural lands and orchards. There is nothing you should see, but plenty of lazing around to be done" Sounds good to us.
As we made our approach into Astrous we saw the Venetian Castle stood in its splendour with the sun shining down on its walls. Once into the harbour we found there to be a couple of visiting yachts and lots of space. Due to the Katabatic Winds which can blow into the harbour we decided to drop our anchor off to port so as to minimise the risk of our anchor dragging if it were to blow up. Not long after our arrival the afternoon wind started to pick up but nothing to cause alarm. Whilst we were establishing ourselves I heard an anchor chain, looking out the window was a couple who it transpired were from Australia and were leading a charter group. We assisted them with their lines, once secure the gentleman came to thank us and told us they had come to assist their group of 12 charter boats who were arriving between 15:30 and 17:30. Given we had space on our sides we decided that we would go for a walk tomorrow, meaning we could sit and wait for their arrival and protect Dream Catcher from any mishaps.
The Port Police arrived and asked to check our papers. Mike asked about paying for our mooring and getting water and electric. The Police said all of this was dealt with by a separate company and after a quick telephone call said they would be down shortly to sort all this out. It's a good job we planned to stay two days. By now some of the charter boats were making their way in, the Australian couple co-ordinated their mooring by standing of the Quay wall shouting instructions of where to drop their anchor, how much throttle, which way to turn the wheel. I know Charter boats get a lot of criticism but they all did really well and at no point did we feel the need to jump up and fend them off our boat.
Everybody in and it was time for the crews on the flotilla's to exchange stories of how much speed they got, what sort of sail they had etc. The leaders went about their business in the typical cheery manner telling everybody where tonight's briefing would take place followed by cocktails. The wind was by now picking up in strength and credit to the leaders they checked every boats anchors and lines, making adjustments to ensure they were safe for the predicted force 6 and before they departed up the hill for the briefing.
Not everybody went to the briefing, with some staying on board which was fortunate. All of a sudden shouting could be heard and despite the wind one boat could be seen pulling off its mooring and lifting its anchor, it appeared their anchor had dragged. Fortunately despite the conditions they did really well and managed to re-set their anchor. Minutes after the boat next to them repeated the process only they seemed to struggle more getting back onto their berth. The harbour was by now pretty full but over the breakwater I could see a boat making its entrance, a Greek boat, I think due to the adverse weather he quickly identified a gap and started to manoeuvre into position dropping his anchor potentially over multiple others. The boat caught by the wind began to swing "side to" across the bows of the adjacent boats. With nothing else to do they started to pull off, lifting their anchor and another with it, which just happened to be the first charter boat that had earlier dragged its anchor. There was a heated exchange and eventually the Greek was free, this time he decided to go "side to" on part of the ferry jetty, this was not without trouble as he quickly began crushing the side of another boat.
The wind was true to its forecast and blew all through the night causing the usual water slapping on the hull resulting in Mike trying to sleep in the saloon, me I slept fine.
The charter boats were departing early and we knew we needed to be about because the Katabatic winds would blow them across onto us and this seemed to be one of the boats that needed more reassurance. Several other charter boats departed their mooring in the wind with a degree of ease and supportive instructions from the Australians on the quay. When it came to our neighbours the staff told the crew what to expect as they started to leave the mooring and what she wanted them to do when she shouted "thrust engines" because of the need to avoid our anchor chain which the wind would blow them onto if not careful. Dad was on the wheel, Mum and younger daughter on the anchor and older daughter on the stern line. The leader shouted to them "we need to get a move on, before that storm hits, start lifting the anchor, ease off that line" I was stood on our port side with a roving fender to prevent any damage. For some reason they stopped lifting the anchor, "Keep lifting the anchor" but it appeared it has stopped working as the boat swung into our side in the strong wind which was now blowing. Three of them were now up on the front with the anchor that wasn't working, "George get off that wheel, set the trip, George, quick" Mike was pushing them off us and I was holding the roving fender, by now I could our anchor chain going under their keel and you could hear the chain straining. Frantic screams "George" followed by instructions from the quay, George was following instinct and doing the wrong thing resulting in Mike telling him to stop accelerating with our chain scraping along his keel. Eventually they were free of us and the leaders were very apologetic. It was a blessing when with a little tension on our winch we were secured again.
The wind got steadily worse but now with all the charter boast having departed we were taking the full brunt of it on our port side, even with the newly rigged mid ship line we were being battered, healing over to starboard, it was time to get the grab bag ready just in case it got worst. Thunder lighting and 38 knot winds on our side made it a rough passage to nowhere, or I hope we go nowhere, strong winds are expected until tomorrow.....
Just another day in life on board in a stress free environment, I think not!