Vathy to Nidri

We got up leisurely and had breakfast at a local restaurant - enjoying a variety of foods such as eggs and bacon, waffles and a crepe. After breakfast we did some marketing (where Marina left her iPhone on the counter at the grocery store, but thankfully remembered before we hopped in the dinghy and headed back to the boat and they had it at the cash register for her), and then went back to Tara (after we collected the kill switch for the dinghy motor from the desk in the restaurant because we left that on the table - perhaps we were all a bit tired?). Thank goodness we were in Greece and not Italy (or Vancouver for that matter0 or else that iPhone would have been in pieces and in Craigslist before Marina made it back to the market.

We fuelled up in Vathi, shipping some 230 litres of diesel. We had to wait for a couple of boats to clear out of the fuel dock and when we arrived the old fella treated Marina like a long lost friend giving her a big hug and a kiss. We filled up and headed out at a pleasant pace, idling along at just 1500 revs, turned on the fridge and puttered over to Atokos, one of our favourite spots that we visit every year. We dropped a hook in 15 meters of water and then watched the previously dead calm water become windy. It went from zero to more than 20 knots in less than 5 minutes. 

Tara off the point and the stone beach at Atokos

Hugh and Jess made lunch and then we relocated further into the bay after a flotilla of charter boats left.  Unfortunately we were sailing at anchor to the extent that Matt didn't feel comfortable leaving the boat to the elements ... too bad because the trip to the church and lighting a candle for our lost loved ones is a bit of a tradition. 

Jessie and Hugh lighting candles

Jessie and Marina outside the tiny chapel

Marina and Jess lit one for Don, Tex and Doris and RTC. Hugh lit one for his uncle Matt. After they swam back to the boat we pulled up anchor in a bit of a hurry as a big cat appeared to be intent on anchoring on top of our anchor, so rather than maneuver in tight space with a 20 knot breeze and charter boat captains of dubious qualifications, we bugged out quick as we could. We pointed towards Meganisi on a close reach with a reefed jib in 22 knots of wind. 

Hugh's hair is rather long and it was bugging him while
reading...note the "do" to alleviate the problem. 

Lots of wind with the occasional splash from a wave and an hour or so later we were in the lee of Megsnisi so we pulled out the rest of the jib and sailed up to the bay before Akoni Point where we popped in and all went for a swim for an hour or so in nice clear water. We pulled up anchor yet again and sailed for a while -- thoroughly thrashing a Bene 43 even though we suspected them of using their motor. 

Then the wind pooped out and we powered into Nydri and anchored where we always do ... probably within a few meters of where we have a dozen times before. After cocktail hour we took Bonnie in for dinner at L'Appodorio restaurant ... and were served by Spiros our favourite waiter.  

A couple of appetizers, wine, beer, two pizzas and two pasta dishes = lots of leftovers for lunch next day.  We stayed up late, past 01:00 and it was hot with no breeze and there were lots of mossies everywhere so nobody was able to get a great sleep.