Kevin Hahn

Light and variable winds and slight chop. Slow trip over to Sazan Island. Tried first anchorage on SE side and then continued on to harbour and beach area on the NE side. Old restricted area with tens of Albanian bunkers all over. Harbour and beach full of tourist boats now. This Island is under possible development by Ivanka Trump and Jared Kuschner, big demonstrations against it by local environmentalists!

Beautiful still morning. Motored over to Vlore. Windless and hot. Went ashore and visited the chandlery for replacement bilge pumps and float switches etc. Jax and Jadie did some provisioning. Had brunch at a local restaurant and then headed back to our tender. Strong SW winds and big swell had come up and there was a challenging ride back to the boat. Very difficult conditions to raise the tender but eventually got it up and secured. Luckily it was up as the trip back to the anchorage was in high wind (peaking at 35kts reguarly) and difficult swell. Once in and tight against the shoreline the conditions were much better and we set up for the evening anchorage.

Fairly early start from Qeparo before 7am for a longish haul up to Shengjergjit before Vlore. Light winds but big swells from the North almost the whole way only dying down for the last 5nm's. Warm with light winds abeam changing to following as we rounded the point.

Wind and swell came up much more than predicted. Decided to return to Qeparo where there is better protection. Got back and found a Bali in our morning spot, so we have anchored more to the SW near the hotel. So far so good. Winds outside were 20 to 25 and big waves, but here it is still 20 but swell is much better.

Very calm and light breeze. Started moving North to Palermo Castle for a sightseeing trip in the bay and then up to Himare for the evening anchorage. The bay on the NW side is full of fisher boats and a yacht today. Had to anchor more SE to get a clear patch and to be able to let out most of the chain for the evening. Last time we were here we had very strong katabatic winds from the NW in the evening. Hoping its milder tonight.

Pretty windy at the start in Sarande, turned North to Borsh (WNW Wind 20 kts). Passed fish farms just prior to Borsh. Sailed with 2/3 main into Qeparo Bay and anchored at same spot as last year, (where we dragged in a Katabatic wind at night). Conditions are almost perfect here currently. Wind is Westerly and will probably change to strong NW later. Hoping for a peaceful one 🤞

Beautiful morning in Butrint Nature Reserve. Leisurely coffee and breakfast before setting off back to Sarande. Watermaker on the blink again 2nd year in a row,!!! 🤬. Motor sailed back on a fresh beam reach. Anchoring to pick up Jax and Jade returning from Monaco. Should be here 10pm or 3am!

Nice day, getting hot now 31 to 32 degs. catch up on some sevens rugby and then Monaco F1 later.

Pleasant with less than 10kts wind. Slow trip for water and power down to most southern spot in a boat in Albania. Greek border was 10m away. Beautiful little bays down south but full of Mussel and Fish farms. Beautiful nonetheless! No internet so not viable to watch any rugby or F1 so made the trip back to outside Butrint. Mussel pot again thanks to wonderful Albanian Mussel farmer. Wouldn't accept payment for a full crate of Mussels. Wonderful hospitality!!

Dropped off Jax and Jade @ 6am at the dinghy dock and they caught the bus and plane on the way to Nice for a few days @ Monaco for the F1. Lifted the tender and set off for Butrint to prepare for a possible rough evening. Thunderstorms predicted for the area from 11pm to 10am tomorrow. Going to be a long night!!