I woke at my usual time of 6 and then dozed until 8. I knew that I was going to head for Vliho Bay today but wasn't sure which bridge opening I was going to go for. I kept looking at the weather forecasts and also feeling the breeze because I preferred the 2pm lift to the 5pm. at about 10:30 I decided there was enough breeze for me to get going so I lifted the anchor and sailed about half a mile. the wind was very light and flukey, and there were lots of boats around, so knowing that I had to motor down the channel inanycase I turned on the engine. Unlike another sailing boat that did what I thought of but rejected, I went to the last buoy and turned the engine off. it was a lovely sail but it quickly became clear that I would be way too early. I reefed athe benoanagain and again to slow myself down to arrive at about 1:45. I was listening to the bridge radio and despite the 30 odd boats waiting somewhat alarmingly I heard the operator say the next lift would be 5pm! no one seemed to take any notice and at about 1:55 boats started entering the channel. I was staying out of trouble initially just using the genoa but eventually due to increasing waves and wind and boats killing about, the engine. At 2pm nothing happened. People started radio'ing the bridge but getting no response. eventually a very stressed Greek said that he could not explain now, ten minutes. there was general consternation aboungs the boats and several went some way out to keep clear but I hoovered fairly close in. Eventually at 2:24ish the bridge opened. athere was a mad rush for the channel but some boats - in particular a blue hulled Dutch boat - just didn't get a move on. they may have had a problem but it was like the motorway opening and everyone being caught behind a car doing 25mph. An Australian big cat tried to overtake everyone He had clearly never been down the channel before and I called out that it would be very tight (ie there was no space). He backed off but then shortly afterwards in frustration at the 25mph car, be undertook at huge speed. He shouldn't be in charge of a boat really. Anyway the lack of speed caused problems because the wind was 25 knots over the deck pushing all of us on the right without any steerage into the path of the boats coming in the other direction. Eventually the Dutch boat turned off to some pontoon and once past the marina many boats including my own git their genoas out and sailed down the channel. it was a relief to turn the engine off. I had to turn the engine on for literally 2 minutes at the very end of the channel as the wind died in the narrow channel with boats in both directions, but as soon as I was clear I started sailing again. unlike the usual wind, which icomes from the canal, the wind today blew up to the canal and very softly. the most I had was about 8 knots apparent and of course I was beating into it. I kept tacking and nearly made it all the way to the entrance to Tranquil Bay but the wind dropped to 1 or 2 knots which made progress impossible. I turned the engine on with about 4.5-5 miles to go and tidied up as we motored towards the anchorage. The chicane was fairly clear today and I decided that I wanted to be close to the Vliho Yacht Club. I found a spot, and dropped the anchor. I was too close to another boat. I tried again in the same spot, and I was too close to another boat. partly this is because Naxos takes her time weather cocking if there is no wind I think. I found a second spot for a third attempt, and again I was too close, essentially rather than falling back in line, I was falling back towards other boats. this might be ok but I would have to wait for the boat to settle before I knew. I have up in the idea of being close to the yacht club and found a huge space. this time the anchor did set - even though I was briefly worried about being too close to a gilet style boat - and trying not to rush I gave it the beans and she didn't move. I turned off the instrumental sat down for a few moments and talked to Nous, and then set the snubber. Another sail done

Hospital Bay to Vliho Bay

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