Friday, 12 June 2015: Wow! Sailing on our SAILboat and in the MED!

In the 24 hours bridging late day Thursday and early day Friday we saw a wide range of wind speeds and directions. Just when we thought the winds would die long enough for the seas to die down some, they roared back with a vengeance – sometimes gusting to speeds in the 20’s (kts).

However, by the time we awakened and checked the forecast, we noted a more northerly component to the winds so decided to take our chances, get underway, poke our nose out beyond the promontory to see if we could sail high enough to make our next desired destination – Astipalaia Is.

As soon as we got clear of the island, we set the sails on a bearing of approx. 250*. The winds were medium strength from the W-NW; seas left-over lumpy. It was not “comfy” BUT it wasn’t as uncomfy as the previous time we’d attempted this AND the direction of the wind allowed us to set a course to the southern end of Astipalaia. We went so far as to anticipate an even higher course (more like 270*) which would allow us to target the northern end of the island in the event the winds were palatable we might be able to literally sail over the top non-stop and then SW towards Thira Is (Santorini).

We were never able to go high enough as the winds stayed more West than North so we made for the southern end of the island. The winds stayed with us off the starboard bow sometimes wandering down to the starboard beam making upwards of 8-9 kts at times. We were so heeled over most of the transit that there was really nothing one could do down below but lay down on the lee settee of the boat – thank goodness we’d re-stowed below with heeling in mind.

Approaching the town of Astipalaia with the castle looking it, we noted a fine looking Hellenic Navy ship of the line at anchor nearby – got our ole Navy blood pumping. We looked at anchoring close in to the town as described in Rod Heikell’s Greek pilot but it was too close for comfort. So we checked out 2 other spots which looked good before settling on one for the night.

Once we got set in our cozy little anchorage we discovered we were not alone – that there were goats that almost seemed suspended along the side of the cliff that makes one side of the cove we were in. Surefooted indeed!

We slept well that night – the sun, wind, salt air and the exhilaration of sailing itself made for a satisfying day and peaceful night – despite the winds!

p.s. There are five goats in the photo.