We were away from Crete and the boat from mid-December to mid-January. It was still nice when we left. The day after we got back, I spoke to an old (i.e. looks older than me 😉 British sailor on a boat near ours (who worked for years on Greek fishing boats, speaks some Greek andContinue reading “Winter in Crete Means Pants”
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Mid January in Crete
After our trip to Amsterdam we had 6 weeks or so on the boat in the marina. We made friends with a nice German couple who are berthed beside us (he is a software guy, and she is a lawyer.) Exactly like me and Victoria. You would think the universe would be more inventive. WeContinue reading “Mid January in Crete”
Volos, The Netherlands and back to Crete
After getting Spruzzo setup in the Agios Nikolaos marina (bought giant springs for the dock lines….the docks float and can move a lot….everyone has these big springs which make interesting music when we get movement from the dock) we travelled to Volos for a few days. Volos is the 4th largest city in Greece andContinue reading “Volos, The Netherlands and back to Crete”
Astipalea to winter berth in Crete
Big Surprise! The weather forecast was wrong again. The morning started as expected: no winds and glassy seas. As beautiful as you could imagine except we had to motor. Our trip was 82 nm, and we had just under 12 hours of daylight for travel. At 7 knots average speed we would just make it.Continue reading “Astipalea to winter berth in Crete”
…. when early-born rosy-fingered Dawn appeared…
Ἦμος δ᾽ ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς…. (Ilias, Homer) …it was a few minutes before 7 am at Astipalea island. The sea was almost completely motionless and there was a salty light breeze. The sunrise was not an explosion of colour, rather a soft mix of orange, yellow and pink paint brushes in a blue sky that slowly wasContinue reading “…. when early-born rosy-fingered Dawn appeared… “
Slim Sailors: Tilos to Kos to Astipalea
Sailors tend to be thin. I used to wonder, is this because of some drug abuse sailors are prone to? But now I know: sailors are thin because they get exercise hanging on to heeled-over boats and not eating during passages (it’s too hard to get food). Right now my arms are aching. I hadn’tContinue reading “Slim Sailors: Tilos to Kos to Astipalea”
Small Island Tilos: Amazing History
Tilos is a very small island, just over 64 square-km. Last population I could find was 880. We are nestled in the main port on the island where the ferries dock (I’m surprised how many ferries there are for such a small place…..I would guess 3 or 4 visits a week). Today we decided toContinue reading “Small Island Tilos: Amazing History”
Rhodes to Simi to Tilos: Windy Days!
After Victoria and I re-united on Rhodes (amazingly she missed me) we sailed 21nm north to Simi. The first bay we stayed in, St. George was gorgeous: high cliffs all around, crystal clear water and a large number of goats on the beach. Many Greek islands look like mountains risen from the sea with aContinue reading “Rhodes to Simi to Tilos: Windy Days!”
Solo Sail to Turkey
I was booked in D-Marine in Gocek. The comments said it was one of the best marinas in Turkey, and Turkey is known for having great marinas. It was HUGE, even bigger than Marina di Ragusa. I had about a 500m walk from my boat to the exit of the marina (admittedly my boat wasContinue reading “Solo Sail to Turkey”
Adding Solar and some Power Thoughts
We made the last major upgrade to the boat: we added a hoist for the dingy (a davits) which includes 2×400 watt solar panels on top. We travelled to ‘the guy’ for Amel arches (Emek Marine in Gocek, Turkey) and we are very happy with the result. Here is a picture: It is a beautifulContinue reading “Adding Solar and some Power Thoughts”