Day 3 - RYA Competent Crew

Mark Stevens

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.