We dropped our lines from Spartakhori around 10.15 and had to motor around Meganisi and into the channel between that island and Levkada peninsula in very light winds that contrived to stay on the nose as we turned. Once clear of the channel the winds increased slightly and agreed to follow the forecast from the NW. When we passed the shelter of Arkoudhi Island we had around 12 knots on the beam and were sailing nicely with the main and genoa.

A large motor boat of over 65ft appeared on a course to just miss our bow but as he got closer gradually veered so as to be heading directly to us at around 25knots (fast!). We monitored this for a couple of minutes as, according to the collision regulations, he was the boat who should change direction but there was no sign of any change. We were getting ready for engines on and an emergency turn to starboard when with only a minute or so left before a potential collision he performed a sudden swerve to head away. He had clearly left the helm at 25 knots or so for a number of minutes and come back just in time. As he passed, we could see he was flying a 'Union Jack' as an ensign, something you just don't do as it's not a marine flag. Clearly someone who hasn't a clue and is dangerous out on the water. Unfortunately we didn't see a boat name, not that you can do much about it anyway.

We reached Sarakiniko Bay on the west coast of Ithaca around 15.00. It's a small inlet off a larger bay and there were already a number of boats there. We decided that we couldn't fit into the end of the bay and opted for a place back against the rocks in the short but wide entrance channel. During this process the wind was blowing into the bay from the southwest but we knew there was a change in the forecast for stronger NW winds. We moored with three lines ashore to cope with the expected change of wind. Next to us was a 57 ft Hanse mono hull with a USA flag. They only had one line ashore and it was set to cope with the SW wind. Shortly afterwards it was clear the wind was changing and they were drifting closer to us. Chris started chatting to the skipper and suggested they might put a second shoreline on as strong winds were coming. The wife interrupted and said that 'they were there first and that we had moored too close to them' so they didn't need to! Chris simply suggested they look at where the wind was coming from now and walked away. Five minutes later they put a second line on and it's a good job they did as we had a very windy night, higher than the forecast, with consistent 25 knots hitting us on the beam all night. This doesn't lead to a relaxed sleep and we were happy to leave the next morning despite being sure it's a lovely place in better conditions.

Photo: Sarakiniko Bay as we were leaving!