Click here for link for relevant PhotoAlbum Spring 2018. This image of the Chora is from Skala harbour on Astipalia.
I flew back to Greece with Aegean Airways on Tuesday 22 May 2018, travelling overnight before arriving at Leros and getting onboard in the boat yard by 11:15hrs next morning. Tobin Bronze had a thick cover of red Sahara dust all over the deck. But that was easily washed off. The boat covers also benefited from a good scrub down.
As I was on my own, I lived on board in the boat yard and over the next few days carried out various maintenance jobs -
modifying the passerelle,
repairing a leak in the sink where the wood had shrunk,
install new air filter on engine,
"polished" the diesel in the fuel tank (no sign of diesel bug - thank God!),
collected the auto-pilot which had been repaired by the yard,
painted 1 coat Hempel hard racing anti-fouling on the boot-top.
On Saturday morning (26 May), we were lifted back into the water by 11:30hrs and moored to one the Agmar's buoys just off the slip. It was very hot in the sun rigging up the main and genoa and by 14:45hrs I was ready to sail down to Lakki town. As I sailed out of the bay, I passed the family from Archangelos Island and we exchanged greetings.
Using genoa alone, I had a leisurely sail south along the coast, doing 6.2 knots on a beam reach. I had the sea to myself as there was not another sail in sight. By 16:30 I was moored bow to on the quay at Lakki Marina.
It was hot and sunny in Lakki and pretty quiet in the town. More maintenance next day, replacing the shaft seals in both pumps on the Baby Blake toilet. Great fun!
On Monday morning, I topped up the fuel tank and the water tanks. I also replaced the filter in the potable water pump. I wandered off to the Port Police to have the Dekpa form authorised. Bad luck; bank holiday. "Come back tomorrow."
So next morning, back to the Port Police. Even though the Dekpa was 10 days past its expiry date, the letter from Agmar Marine confirming that TB had been out of the water during the winter worked and it was signed without comment. I also think that the Leros Port Police have more important things to worry about with the island being so close to Turkey. Every evening, one of their boats goes out on patrol and doesn't come back till next morning.
So by 09:30hrs, with the boat all provisioned (and legal!), I cast off and sailed the 20 or so miles south to Kalymnos town. It was a nice run in 20 knots of wind and a calm sea with even a visit from some dolphins to cheer me along. By 13:00, I was secured bow-to on the quay in Kalymnos. Mooring fees were 17.50E for 2 nights plus 5.00E for electricity.
In the evening, I took the 20:00hrs ferry from Kalymnos across to Mastihari on the island of Kos. This is a small resort and port on the north coast of Kos only 15 minutes by taxi from Kos airport. Judy was flying from Gatwick airport with Yo and Bruce. Their plane had been delayed by bad weather in London and it was uncertain if they would make the ferry in time. Their plane was an hour forty five minutes late in the end but the skipper of the ferry delayed his departure until 23:40hrs when they arrived at the port. Typically Greek!
30 May 2018. Wednesday. The day spent in Kalymnos, getting the crew settled in and stocking up on provisions. Kalymnos harbour has no facilities for yotties but the owners of the taverna towards the east end of the quay have a shower and toilets which they allowed us to use. Of course, we went there in the evening and the food was good as well. Kalymnos is a busy harbour and has a bustling atmosphere.
The weather now presented us with a bit of a dilemma. The wind was forecast to pick up to quite strong northerlies over the next few days. If we didn't leave immediately Thursday morning, we would be stuck in Kalymnos for at least 3 or 4 days. Much as I like the town, I didn't fancy staying that long, so we opted to make a run for Astipalia, 42Nm away to the SW.
It turned out to be a bit of a rough trip, with the wind gradually increasing to over 25 knots. The worst part though was the short steep waves which made the trip pretty uncomfortable. And wet! The only good thing about the weather was that it allowed for a fast trip. We averaged 6.5 knots for the passage. By 15:45hrs we were in the lee of the Astipaloa and life was improving. It was a bit of a harsh introduction for the crew, being out in such weather on their first excursion in 2018.
Their general outlook on life improved as we sailed into Ormos Maltezana and were assisted in mooring by some fishermen who were working on the quay. It is a lovely bay with friendly locals. The welcoming taverna less than 100 metres away also helped.
The crew glad to be ashore.
Click here for link to an enlarged image in the Photo Album 'Spring 2018.'
Maltezana Bay. View from taverna. TB alongside quay.
Click here for link to an enlarged image in the Photo Album 'Spring2018..'
Next day, Friday 01 June, brought the strong winds forecast with gusts of 30 knots. The quay was well sheltered in the lee of the Astipalia and we were in no hurry to go anywhere. We spent the next three days taking it easy and exploring the island. Very enjoyable.
Skala harbour from the Chora
Click here for link to an enlarged image in the Photo Album 'Spring2018..'
On Tuesday, we motored north to Levitha in a calm sea and no wind. This is one of our favourite places. By 14:45hrs, we were one of only four yachts in the bay but by 20:00hrs all 14 moorings were occupied. In the evening, we made our usual pilgrimage to the farmhouse to taste the fresh local produce.
Next morning there was thick fog in the vicinity of Levitha but it gradually cleared away as we made our way to Lakki on Leros. It was hot and sunny next day, Thursday 07 June when Yo and Bruce left to the resort of Panteli to continue their holiday on the island.
Over the next few days, Jude and I visited Archangelos Island, Lipsi and Plakouti Bay, Leros before making our way on Monday morning to the anchorage off Alinda on the NE side of Leros.
Around 15:00hrs, Sofie, Tom and Edith arrived at Agia Marina on the ferry from Kos via Kalymnos.
Ferry from Kos and Kalymnos arriving at Agia Marina.
Click here for link to an enlarged image in the Photo Album 'Spring 2018..'
Arrival of Edith on Leros.
Click here for link to an enlarged image in the Photo Album 'Spring 2018.'
They were booked into the Alinda Hotel which is right on the beach on the other side of the bay. We helped them settle in and that evening we all dined on the hotel terrace across the road from the beach.
Edith getting prepared for the beach.
Click here for link to an enlarged image in the Photo Album 'Spring 2018.'
During the early part of the evening, we watched a storm develop out to sea to the south. It eventually brought a bit of wind, a bit of rain and lots of lightning into the bay. The boat rolled around on the small waves from the storm for a few hours and then everything settles down with a steady10 - 15kt wind off the land.
Sofie and Tom stayed for a week. During that time, we stayed mostly at anchor at Alinda but spent one night with everyone on board anchored at Archangelos Island. Edith had a great time, taking up residence on the settee berth in exactly the same way as her mother used to do when she was a 3YO.
Edith in her bunk onboard.
Click here for link to an enlarged image in the Photo Album 'Spring 2018.'
Edith's mother - taken a few years earlier!
Click here for link to an enlarged image in the Photo Album 'Spring 2018.'
On Monday, 18 June, Sofie & family took the ferry back to Kos to fly home while Judy & I had Tobin Bronze lifted out of the water at Agmar Marine. We logged 175Nm in the 4 weeks we had been onboard.
Next morning, we flew back to Heathrow via Athens with Aegean Airways