Rukiye Ozden Strommen

Good wind in the morning coming out of Syvota, took it in turns tacking until we hit the channel, wind dropped slightly tacking half way down the channel, stopped for lunch mooring onto a sandy patch. After lunch motoring and took it in turns to do a man overboard drill. Motoring 3-4 boat lengths directly downwind, neutral, tight turn motor up very slowly into the wind picking up Dan on the starboard side. Every one did this 1st time. Into the channel at Vilho we took turns reversing practice, into the wind, across and then downwind before anchoring and testing the hold. Back to HQ, we all passed! Clean the boat, last meal with the crew and packing up the boat. Loved spending time with everyone, will miss them !

Not much wind in the morning, dinghy rowing and electric motor practice, did some parking practice and demonstrations in the harbour, stopped for a quick harbour visit, had some really nice baclava ice cream. Motored to a nice bay for a swim and lunch, very well kept olive grove almost ready for harvest. After leaving we had a little more wind, Sindy and Rukyie did a great sail raise procedure. We took turns sailing, close reach. Struggled a little with wind later in the day, did a man overboard practice. Returned to Syvota, talked through man overboard drill and medical issues that could arise. Really nice meal at Stavros taverna.

Very low wind calm conditions. Trip planned to motor around the island so we know what to expect from a night trip if ever needed. Used compass points and plotter as well as local knowledge of lights from construction floodlights to stay safe, avoiding reefs and spits from the islands. Returned back and moored safely. Beer celebration.

Start of day low wind, calm seas, mostly motoring. Performed raising and lowering of the sail drills. Stopped in a fantastic little bay, anchored up and swam, had some Greek pies for lunch, the fish loved the crumbs. After lunch head right out of the bay, low wind until later in the day. Found some very nice wind 11-16 knots, sailing into the wind with a close reach, every one took turns getting up to ~6 knots. Boat healed over, fantastic sailing best so far! Had to switch to a beam reach to avoid a ferry before coming back to a close reach to head into port. Port a little more exposed, a bit windy on arrival, waited for other boats as we needed to be on the end due to a planned night trip later on. Nice earlier meal, no alcohol so we could go out later.

Forecast was for 15 knot wind gusting to 20. Wind conditions grew steadily worse averaging 22 knots gusting to 26. When leaving I dropped the lazy line and moved the dinghy to stern. Running with a NE wind most of the way using the Jib, we planned to stop in Marmagkas but the conditions were too rough. We only need one Jib to allow us to enter the right channel. Taking turns at steering. After continuing the conditions worsened, Sindy became seasick, the skipper decided to motor sail the remaining way to Ithaca Vathy. When nearing Vathy the conditions drastically improved, the sun came out. On arrival we moored with anchor to sort out the tender bouys and prepare the ship for docking. We docked stern on with no lazy line, laying the anchor from ~50m out reversing in. I was responsible for dropping the anchor and tightening up based on signals from the skipper. We moored side on as well due to an L shaped spot Fiona picked for the boat. After docking the sun was shining, sun cream on and went for a walk and to find lunch, Alistair went for a swim at Loutsa beach, Sindy and I went for lunch at Elia (very nice). Also discovered some local liqueurs called Tentura (dark tastes of cinnamon and cloves) and Mastiha (clear from mastic tree tastes of pine / cedar). After lunch found a beautiful jewellery shop and we bought an Amethyst ring.

Short day due to weather conditions worsening. Some good wind, mostly beam reach. Took turns steering as well as tacking using the jib sail. Sindy was a little sea sick after going below deck to fill in log. Felt better after taking the helm and really enjoyed it. Rain came in just as we were docking, I picked up the lazy line with boat hook when docking stern on. We stayed in Syvota, nice well protected harbour, the harbour is difficult to spot as it is round a dog leg. Nice little pebble beach to the right, to the left was a very pretty harbour front, lots of shops, supermarkets, bars and restaurants. Far end of the harbour is an old olive press turned into a bar, restaurant and ice cream place, very nice.