Helen Fryer

We had our dinghy paddling in 40C heat then went out into the bay for a final lunch & swim. Back to base to clean the boat and get ready for our certificate awards ceremony 😊

Waited for it to start getting dark before preparing the boat for night sailing. Life jackets & harnesses on. Took turns steering - we raised the genoa up and I sailed through super yacht alley outside Corfu town. Was really good seeing all the other vessels & markers lit up. Back to base after 2 hours, through the channel and once the boat was secure we all went to bed.

Theory morning then set off back to Corfu - very light wind at first. Lunch as we sailed then wind picked up so we had some fun sailing. Practiced man over board then headed to Benitses and moored up for a swim and to rest before our night sail.

More knot work, sails up and trimming. Made our way to Paxos - moored up in the bay at Lakka - busy but beautiful. Ashore for dinner - best food of the trip at Nionios.

A full teaching day as we made our way to Plataria on the Greek mainland. Had lunch at sail to make up time for the missed day yesterday. Sails, knots, theory and some tacking although the winds were quite light.

Plan was to sail to mainland for the night but before we got the sails up we could see a storm coming from Albania & it soon hit us. Lifejackets on & clipped in! Gusts up to 40knots of wind & hailstones - thunder & lightning - told not to touch anything metal! The crew sheltered inside for a while & heard a few ‘pan pan’ calls. Retreated back to the marina - Nikos drenched & freezing cold. Will try again tomorrow!

Very hot start to day. Our skipper Nikos gave us the intro to the boat & safety briefing before doing some steering practice & motoring to lunch spot for swim.