Katia Cikurel

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.

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

David and Em rejoined in Pula and we sailed to beautiful Rovinj via the Beijing national park. Then down to the islands, U boat base, downwind through the Coronati and a return to Antonio and Koromacna Konoba. Over to Hvar where we stern tied outside the old town. Then to Korcjla for a night and over the Dubrovnik to pick up and install replacement Cortex AIS/VHF. Left for Montenegro, forgetting to clear out, and stopped by Croatian CG. Checked in to Montenegro and stayed 2 nights at the crazy rich Porto Montenegro. Toured Kotor and its bay. Then checked out in Bar, then overnight sail to Vlore, Albania. Spent first night in Marina and short tour, then short trip to Sarande. Fun night, then cleared out and sailed to Corfu where the summer ended putting the boat to bed in Gouvia Marina.

Picked up the boat in Spmit to find frig pumps off and food spoiled. Needed new pumps, gas, controller. Took off for the Blue Lagoon where I had to swap the bilge pump out. Then 2 nights in Koromacna Kinobi, then I to Coronati islands, beautiful sail and finished in Zadar.

Overnight from St Mandrier to Bonifaccio with David and Jason. Picked up Sarah and did double overnight to Panarea. Then through Messina to Crotone where we were stuck an extra day due to high winds. Then flying across the boot to Leuca. Overnight crossing of Adriatic to Dubrovnik where we met K and E. Lunch with David and Jenny at BOA, then through the islands for 2 days to Split, where we left the boat.