Mike Kelliher

Left San Vito into light winds of 4-6 kts but soon after raising to 8kts steady and then 12kts steady. Took opportunity to enjoy the conditions sailing around the bay before anchoring in Spiaggia di Guidaloca in 7m water. Afterwards motor sailing with headsail to Castellammare. Tricky stern to mooring in limited space with a chasing wind of 10kts.

Motoring against 23kts winds and unsettled seas of .5 to 1.5m waves. Tricky rounding Capo San Vito with cross waves and strong gusts making the going hard.

Left Palermo La Cala marina into a fresh 15knt breeze. After passing Mondello bay bore off downwind for Castellammare di Golfo. Moored alongside (unusual for the med) in Marina Club Nautico.

Leaving Port Atheni we headed east in initially light winds towards the NE of Kalamos island. En route the wind picked up to 20kts with squalls over 30kts on the nose as we approached the channel between Kalamos and the mainland. Later found out we lost the solar panel attached to the top of the bimini in one of the squalls. Rounding Kalamos we headed for the southern side of Katsos eventually finding a sheltered anchorage at the beautiful Parasonisi beach not far from Katsos harbour. We dropped 40m chain in 6m water and found good holding in the strong winds. Later on we motored back up Katsos and across to Kalamos harbour where we moored stern-to with anchor. With not enough space to lay sufficient anchor in a straight line, we pulled in, attached lines and kept the boat in gear as George, the defacto harbour master, took our anchor into his boat and ran it at an angle across and out the mouth of the harbour. Thankfully the strong wind on our stern made the manoeuvre easier.

We departed Vathi at 12 having spent a relaxing morning on the beach at Karnagio Marina. Cloudy conditions with some light rain and little wind so we motored north to Potomaki Beach near Palairos. We anchored there in 7m water. Good holding as a strong E/SE winds began to pick up. Lifting anchor, we sailed back south towards Meganisi. Excellent sailing as winds picked up to a steady 17 to 20kts with flat seas so we took our time and enjoyed a sail around the bay. We arrived in the ever beautiful Port Atheni as the wind dropped at just the right time. We moored stern to with 30m of anchor at the makeshift pontoon of the excellent Taverna Niagas.