Peter Robinson

left three umbrellas after coffee at the taverna and tacked up the channel (westerly so blew from the south) until the wind from the north came in. dropped the main which has started with a single reef and then it was shaken out) and sailed under reefed genoa until the south of the island when we tried to make the turn into the anchorage but the boat wouldn't go through the wind. gave it a couple of goes but no joy so engine on. motored the 400 yards to the anchorage and dropped the anchor in about 5 or 6m of sand with 30m out plus some for the snubber

I waited for the wind to be strong enough to sail knowing that it was going to be a bit tricky as the wind was due to pick up later. eventually the wind became strong enough to leave but it was coming directly from the south - when westerlys come in the blow up the gulf causing this wind. the wind was very light and I tacked backwards and forwards very slowly. I started with full main and 2 reeds in the genoa but ended with one reef in the main and the full genoa out. After a few tacks the wind that ha threatened to get stronger (a few white caps etc) died. I waited a few moments and the wind switched from south to north. I had furked the genoa almost all the way in but got a bit more of it out and then dropped the mainsail. I sailed to within about 200 yards of the marina, started the engine and motored in. I had prepared the lines and fenders earlier. Simon from Malaya - a Hunter Legend that he had been fixing the anchor locker on came and helped me and we chatted for a bit. I joined him and his missus on his boat later for a beer

I woke expecting very little wind but same wind came in from the north which then backed west. I asked Matthieu to give me a shove off and I motorized gently out the marina and immediately got the genny up as the wind was on the port quarter. I meandered slowly towards three umbrellas. I ran with mainsail and Genny for a while and then dropped the genny and prevented the mainsail as the wind was so slight. I was often going around 1-1.5 knots. no rush of course so no problem. as I neared the anchorage the wind as could have been predicted picked up a bit and so I dropped the mainsail and tried to sail to the white cliffs and anchor there. the wind was very flukey and light and so I turned the engine on for about 5 mins, motored over towards the umbrellas themselves and dropped the anchor in about 4.5m. I had broken the snubber when anchored in Lixouri sontied a couple of knots on it..time will tell if it works or not

I had a lovely swim at White Rocks Bay and then motored at 5.5-5.8 knots back. the oil warning light only came on at the end when I manually adjusted the revs directly on the engine to give me a bit more control of the boat while manoeuvring. David came to give me a hand which was most appreciated and we chatted for 15 mins or so which will have messed up the average speed on this passage. otherwise all is good

I left it about 3 hours between little trips. while waiting I adjusted what I thought would keep the throttle cable tight in. I got the anchor up and headed off. the engine was starting in low revs. as I tried to accelerate I r alised I couldn't. I must have tightened the nut incorrectly. I quickly put the auto pilot on and got the boards up and ratchet on and happy days it was back to normal. I quietly motored to White Rocks Bay enviously watching the lucky guys sailing in the other direction - me having no genny at the moment. anyway, I safely arrived and all seems well..the engine is still screaming - even louder than before in fact - in neutral so I turned the engine off as soon as I could. I will start the engine again briefly to reverse on the anchor in a moment

I left the overnight anchorage at about 9am. I woke about 7 but as I had watched the England football (England 0:0 Ghana, disappointing) I was tired. my initial idea was to try to make it to White Rocks Bay in the Argostolian Gulf but that was by some distance too far. instead I travelled 5 miles and stopped. I dropped the anchor in about 8 metres with plenty of chain out but didn't set the anchor properly because I am backing onto the buoyed off swimming area, and in any case the weather is settled and I am not leaving the boat. in fact the plan is to do the next leg this afternoon or evening once the engine has had a chance to cool down and the oil return to its ambient viscosity. the engine screaming when out of gear is becoming more of a problem. one to discuss with David I think when I get back

As I had no Genny and I am having to nurse my engine I was thinking if doing a few hops a day to get to Argostoli and help to get up the mast. just as I was thinking this I noticed a favourable breeze so left the anchorage under mainsail alone, basically running fairly downwind with a preventer. I was only making 1.5 knots or so but was happy with that as progress was progress and any time under sail is giving the engine a rest but after a while the wind dies completely so I decided to motor to a convenient anchorage. I chose Lourdata after some umming and aahing and motored without trouble..the oil pressure didn't fall below 1 bar at 1,500 revs so happy days. I dropped the anchor in about 5m of crystal clear water in sand. the plan is to perhaps do another leg this evening if I can identify one of a suitable length that finishes at an anchorage where I might get some sleep

I had just finished my dip and Duolingo and was thinking of supper and a shandy when the boat started bouncing a bit. my initial thought was that it might be the ferry but then I realised to was the wind and waves from between Cephalonia and Ithaka. I quickly closed the windows, started the engine, got the anchor up and got the genny out. the sailing was a bit lumpy with speeds of between 2.5 and 3.5 knots and I had to gybe once from starboard to port tack but then once I round the headland to head for Scala the wind and waves died and I could see the other boats at anchor were sitting in no wind. I turned the engine on and motored the last couple of miles - so about 2.5 miles under sail and say 2 miles under motor. a horrible split but there was no avoiding it unless I settled for a bouncy rubbish anchorage where opposite winds and waves met. I found a spot in about 8m and dropped the anchor on what I thought was sand. if it was it was very hard because even with 50m of chain out the anchor didn't bite. I changed position a bit and found a bit more sand and happy days. there is definitely sand coloured rock about which makes it more difficult. anyway, safely in now. time to sort out the snubber, out the old girl to bed and have that shandy