Daniel Szor

Nice, relaxing family trip with the girls post A-level stress - decided to be unambitious and stay in our neighbourhood. Uneventful launch in Partheni, Em and I motored to Lakki where Kat was waiting with the car, did the usual provisioning, then off to Lipsoi the next day. 2 nights at anchor and 2 in port where we hung with Kat’s old friend Nadia and. Group of her sailing buddies. Then up to Arkoi via a swim stop at the “white island”, we anchored for two nights - disturbed only by an 100’ gulet called “performance fee” 🤮 right up next to us for much of the day. Then over to Patmos ahead of a rising Meltemi. First 2 lovely nights at anchor off Vagia beach, then a stressful and draining anchor in 20+ knots crosswind - took 4 attempts and later a further 2! After a nice tour day we set off in a lovely downwind sail back to Leros, where we anchored for a night in Xerocampos in the south. Then to Lakk for furling, and a final anchorage just outside the port with poor holding and lots of swells. Then back to Partheni the next morning for haul-out and clean.

2nd voyage of the summer, began with a trouble-free launch from Moor & Dock in Partheni (Leros) and a short sail to Lakki for the now usual provisioning. Next day a very windy (on the nose) upwind sail to Ikaria, entering the small port in major catabatic wind off the mountains. Toured the island the next day, then the following morning an early departure for Mykonos - started the day with 30+ knots of wind, but calmed a bit to a fantastic fast sail to Mykonos (recording our highest-ever boat speed of 9.5 knots). Mykonos was nuclear with Meltemi wind and with no space in the marina we had to grab a private mooring buoy in Ornos bay for the night. Next day after a morning tour of town, we moved the boat to a slightly more sheltered anchorage still in Ornos Bay. Change of crew (David Weir left and Lane and Olivier arrived, on Monday but didn’t go anywhere as we were pinned down by the near-gale force winds for 4 days. After which the weather became totally calm and Kat and I motored our way to Leros via an overnight stop in a beautiful bay on the island of Donoussa. Spent the last night in Archangelos bay off the north of Leros before hauling out.

Great shakedown trip, leaving our winter home In Leros and sailing first to Lipsi, then Patmos, Samos (where David disembarked), down to Agathonissi, over to Arki (beautiful anchorage) and then back to Lipsi where we holed up in port for several days to an unseasonably strong early Meltemi (F 6-7). Rough learning Med mooring streaming anchor in a crowded port with a 20 knot crosswind! Lovely sailing on the whole, boat and crew performed admirably. Back to base in Leros where we hauled out again, hoping to return in 3 weeks for the next leg of our summer cruise.

Great sail over Bank Holiday Weekend with Katia and RYA Yachtmaster instructor Karstein Hagerupsen on a boat we chartered from Hamble Point Marina. Original plan to sail to Cherbourg and back was scuttled by strong northerlies, so we went west to Lymington and Weymouth, then east to Poole and Chichester. Conditions were good, with winds from 10-25 knots true. Lots of learning, and much respect for Hallberg Rassy quality.

Fantastic 7-day charter which began at Crossroads Marina at the top of South Male atoll. First night spent near Guraidoo, then to Fulidho at the top of Vaavu atoll where we fed the rays. Then made our way south, stopping to dive the Vaavu shipwreck, and to the southernmost part of the atoll where the highlight of the trip was spending Katia’s birthday anchored off the idyllic island of Bodumohora. Fantastic snorkelling followed by a walk round the island and an amazing Bday dinner with cake. Then sailed north, overnighting near Alimatha where we snorkelled with sharks the next day. Then open ocean crossing back to South Male atoll where we overnighted in a lagoon on the southern tip, where we swam with dolphins. Next day was more swimming with the dolphins, then back to Crossroads Marina for our last night, via a snorkel stop in the “blue pools” of Koaraadi Falhu.

Uneventful passage from Izmir Marina to Cesme Marina for several night stay, then on to Kusadasi with an overnight anchorage halfway. Amazing trip to Ephesus, then a long day passage to Bodrum where first night spent at Yalikavak Marina. Followed by overnight anchorage at Catalata island, then a few days in Bodrum where David, Alex and his girlfriend Alison came aboard. Sailed to Knidos (amazing ruins), then to Datça, and back to Bodrum via Pamulukbutu. Katia, Alex and Alison disembarked and David and I sailed to Leros where the boat will be hauled out.

2 days of rough Meltemi sailing from Athens up to Chalcidis where we had to wait a day to get through the old drawbridge. Then overnight to the Sporades, first stop was Skopelos. Then to Alonnisos where we picked up Jim and Eve and had a ride round before going stern to in Votsi port. Nice rest day touring the island, then pleasant sailing to Skyros. Next days was the longest and roughest of the trip so far with 20-30 knot winds and 2+ meter seas. Made it to Chios and tied up alongside in town. Then cleared out of Greece and off to Cecme next day. Cleared in at Cecme Marina and left the following day to Izmir where we left the boat.

Left Corfu for Paxos, very nice night in Longos, mast climb next day followed by around both islands. Next day engine trouble at Blue Cave, return to Corfu via Sivota. Then back down to Parga, Preveza (ran into Peter crisp) and through Lefkas canal to Meganisi. Then down to Cephalonia, Fiskardo full so docked in Effimia. Nice island tour day, then first Meltemi experience overnight. Left next morning for Ithaca, difficult docking in Vathy. Great island, great Homer tour, then off to the mainland with night spent in Mesolongi. Under thrnOateas bridge, and anchor off Galaxidi, wonderful evening. Then one more night in the gulf before going through the Corinth Canal. Sail through fleet of parked tankers to our marina in Piraeus where we left the boat.

Took the Rebels out for the day from Houbia, nice conditions, mostly motoring to Kerasia Beach, then some sailing down to Corfu Town where we briefly anchored under the fort.

Smooth on the way to Guadeloupe, high wind (20+) and big seas on the way back to Antigua.