Coleman Sailing Trip 2019

We finally left the marina at about 10am.     Richard had found a destination in the pilot book that sounded interesting.     It was only 17 miles away and is supposed to be a real Greek village not much touched by tourism.    Neither of us could really make out what the mooring arrangements are for visiting yachts, but we were bound to find out. So down the canal we went. On leaving we hoped we might be able to put a sail up, but as usual the wind was on the nose.  This is very annoying.  The prevailing wind here is supposed to be a north westerly.  That would mean we could sail as we are going south.  But with our luck the wind has consistently been a southerly or south easterly meaning on the nose and no sailing.  The real annoyance is that it is bound to be the usual north westerly when we return, going north of course. The weather is not as good as we had hoped.  The sky has clou...

A quiet day in the marina and town doing chores.     We made it to the butchers to stock up on stores for the next few days.      Then we did the supermarket.     After that Richard decided to get the gen on our water heater to go on the internet to ask for advice.     He opened up the flooring and my goodness was I shocked.     The filth under the flooring was unspeakable.     So we spent the next hour or so cleaning all over.  The rag I used was so awful when we finished that I threw it out! At first we couldn’t see any water around the heater and thought maybe it wasn’t leaking after all. But then we could see a steady if small leak, drop by drop.  But I am still not convinced that is the only leak.  So we had a look in the bilges.  There was a bit of water there as one would expect.  However it was not clear water.  It was foul and oily, so not just a fre...

Thinking we were probably staying put today we didn’t set an alarm and got up after 8am.     We both slept very well, and heard no sign of any predicted thunder storms or high winds.      In fact it was a balmy morning with the sky clear blue, little or no wind and a smooth sea in the harbour.     So after conferring with our neighbours we concluded that the conditions were good enough to make for Levkas.     We rushed around and managed to leave by 9am.    We had no trouble bringing up the anchor which was after all well set. The sea was a little lumpy, but not bad.  The wind was, as usual, on the nose but only a force 3, so nothing to worry about. The only problem was that it is cold! Greece at this time of year should be more than 19C.  With that and the wind we were really cold and kept putting on more clothing.  At about midday the wind went around enough to put the sails up. ...

Well it has been a day of changed plans.     We looked at our usual weather forecast before we went to bed.     It wasn’t great, but not terrible.     Everyone we spoke to over the last few days said that it would rain on Monday and Tuesday.     But the forecast just showed showers in the afternoon.     The wind and sea state were also more or less suitable.     So it was a bit of an unpleasant surprise to wake up to steady rain.     But in the light of the forecast for only moderate winds and slight sea we set off.   Big mistake.    We were in full wet weather gear and I went below to make breakfast under way - coffee and toast and jam. But I could barely do so.  The boat was jumping up and down like a kangaroo! Then Richard suggested I take a sea sick pill so I knew we were in for it.  I sent Richard below to eat his breakfast.  By this time the sea was ...

I had a bad night pursued by mosquitos.  I woke up at about 1:30 am to buzzing in my ear and lots of bites on my hands.  I thought it was too early in the season for those monsters.  They always get me and leave Richard alone! So we had a rather leisurely morning leaving just after 10am.  We didn’t have far to go, only 17 miles.  The only problem was the weather.  It was cloudy and cold.  We both had to put on fleeces to manage in the cockpit.  Of course, there was no wind, so again it was a motor trip. We arrived in Lakka just before 1:30. There were a lot of boats already here at anchor, but we found a space with no trouble. More and more boats arrived as the afternoon came and we counted 40 in the bay including us at one stage.  The weather improved and the sun came out and it was quite warm. But not warm enough for us to be tempted to swim.    Some people we...

Up early to see if we can get away.     We returned the car and did some last minute shopping for lunch.     We got the marina out to look at our unsuitable berth.     It is tight at the best of times, but the forward line is at an angle pulling us to starboard hard up against the next door boat.     We have complained before to no avail.     This time they seem to have got the message.     The boat on our port side has moved so we took his forward line which moves us across.     They say they are sending a diver down on Monday to sort the lines out.    We shall see when we return. Subject to that we make ready to leave and slip mooring at 10:15; not bad.  We are headed to a small port where there is an anchorage on the south end of the island.  It is only 17 miles away.   So we have a gentle start to our voyage.  Richard takes the new sail cover off, but as...

Well all the work is done, but we still have to sort the boat out to go.  With all the workmen around over the last two days this really hasn’t been possible.  Richard has had a real go at the junk thrown into the forward cabin.  I got enthusiastic and decided to wash the two large fenders we keep at the stern. They really were horrid.  I scrubbed and scrubbed but they are still fairly disreputable, but greatly improved.  We did a bit more shopping just in the marina supermarket.  We had a word with the marina about renewing our contract.  It runs out in July.  If we are moving I don’t want to take long on the boat and try to get to Sicily for the winter.  I can’t just leave the new place in a state and go away.  It will drive me mad.  So we agreed that if we move we stay here for the winter.  If we don’t move we will go on to Italy in September.  The marin...

So here we are again, on the boat.  Getting here and getting ready has been a bit fraught.  As many of you know, we have had a hectic couple of months.  Much of our time has been taken up with our possible sale of our house and move to a flat. We also had a lot of activities just before we came away.  The upshot of all this was a definite lack of proper preparation.  So until the day before we flew here to Corfu we didn't even know if the boat would be in the water and/or ready for us to sleep on. But our flight on Tuesday was fine; the hire car was waiting for us at the airport and the boat was in the water in its usual berth with the passarelle down so we could board and we had electricity. However on Wednesday morning the boat services staff came to see us and it was clear that although much of the maintenance was done there were a number of crucial things outstanding. There was more electrical work to be done; the sail makers still had to install the ...