Grace 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.

Delayed start leaving Sivota due to our prop being fouled on a loose lazy line. Fortunately the line was thick and not badly wrapped. On leaving Sivota we sailed in light winds across the bay to the Papanikolis Cave on Meganisi. At the cave the water was too deep to safely anchor (25m+), so I stayed aboard and held position on engine while the crew launched the dinghy and explored the cave. Light winds and no current meant holding position was easy and indeed relaxing. From there we headed around the southern tip of Meganisi where we hoisted sails as a promising E/SE breeze blew up. Unfortunately the winds didn't hold and we returned to motor after 30mins sailing. We stopped at Ormos Kalopoulou and attempted to anchor. Unfortunately the few decent anchorages were taken and after several failed attempts to get a solid hold in deeper water I decided to move on. From here we motored around the eastern side on Meganisi and made our way to Little Vathi where we moored at the excellent Karnagio marina just outside the town.

Left Sami in fair weather sailing north towards Lefada. Mixed, changeable winds of 8 to 15 kts in the channel between Kefalonia and Ithaca. Winds picked up to 25+ kts on the nose as we rounded Ithaca with choppy seas. We anchored in 12m water of Paralia beach in Ormos Rouda for several hours enjoying some improved weather in the sheltered bay. Later we made the short trip around the corner to Sivota where we tied up at the well serviced Cove Marina. Some close quarters manoeuvres in a packed harbour but thankfully the tricky catabatic winds that typically blow down the valley into Sivota didn't make an appearance.

Due to incoming storm we couldn't sail to Sivota as planned so we just made a short run to Sami under motor and headsail. Wind picked up to 20 gusting 25 knots from East making stern to mooring a little tricky. Note: date was 4th September '23