Summer in the UK

This summer was different for us, we were going back to the UK for a couple of months. Gordon's mother, Jill was 80 at the end of July so we were flying home and had decided to stay for a while. It had been too hot in the Med the previous year, we could earn more for the cruising fund and Gordon could play on his motorbike without fear of getting wet or cold!!

Glorious weather greeted us on our return and a family gathering at Jill's house saw us celebrate her 80th Birthday. Then back to the grindstone of work which is much harder to do when the weather is warm and the evenings light. But work we did except for when we took a couple of holidays!!

Sailing in the Solent

Jane & Mark weren't coming out to us this year and instead invited us out sailing in the Solent. We'd been concerned that it would be cold and wet but are pleased to report warm sunny weather and good sails each day. We returned to some old haunts of years past, Cowes, Yarmouth, Newtown Creek and enjoyed a fabulous evening in Hythe marina with Steve & Maggie of Rassy Lady. Mooring on their berth, BBQ'ing on their patio and using their facilities. Sorry not open to all Solent users! An excellent few days and more so as we were the guests not the hostess and skipper. Some boat maintenance was required along the way but a cracking week. Thanks Jane & Mark.

After a few days back at work we were off on our next jolly - on a canal boat with Dave and Marilyn. A

A different pace of life

70ft traditional barge with all mod cons on the Kennet & Avon canal. We lost count of the number of locks we went through and the miles we covered but a relaxing time at a much slower pace than we are used to.Again the weather was good to us and the coats stayed in the bag. We were able to BBQ in some stunning places on pleasant evenings even celebrating Dave & Marilyn's wedding anniversary a week late - a long story but we were a week late for their actual wedding day and so it's tradition! Some maintenance was needed along the way, some urgent when we lost reverse whilst heading for a lock gate. Thankfully no lasting damage to the boat or lock gate!!! Thanks Dave & Maz really enjoyed it and we'll be back for more when you get your own boat.


Back to work to save for the cruising fund but we managed a few BBQ's and to meet up with some friends along the way. Time for us to head back to the boat came round quickly and at the right moment as the weather was starting to turn autumnal and a lot cooler. It had been good in the UK for summer and we enjoy the greeness of the country but Crazydream was calling.

On our return to Greece we were met in Kos by Rassy Lady who had offered us a lift back to Leros on their yacht. We couldn't have asked for more, a pleasant wind to take us north, sailing for 4 out of the 6 hours and moored just 3 boats away from Crazydream. No humping of luggage across the islands. Thanks Steve & Maggie.

Crazydream sailing away from Lipsi

All was well on the boat and with an outlook of good weather for a few days we got her ready to sail in a day, including scrubbing her bottom. As she hadn't moved for nearly 3 months her underside was covered in slime and bushes which would slow us down if we didn't get rid of it. So G went in the water with the scrubbing brush!

We had some nice sails up to the islands of Lipsi and Arki with Rassy Lady. It wasn't a race but they won each time but our excuse was that our bottom was dirty! One sail was in stronger winds than P really liked and it reiterated that she is a fair weather sailor and sees no enjoyment in holding on whilst the boat is at a 45' angle. On our return to Leros we stopped at an idyllic anchorage spot for lunch and to scrub her bottom again. Although the water was 23'C it felt very chilly if you weren't actually scrubbing! With a forecast of strong winds and rain we headed back to the safety of the marina and a reunion with Marinerme, Frank and Jenny. The three boats, Crazydream, Marinerme and Rassy Lady have been cruising and wintering together on and off for the last 8 years or so.

Plenty of socialising and planning of the winter jobs begin!

Crazydream, Marinerme & Rassy Lady in Lipsi

Windy July

Anne-Marie on the Helm

We spent a couple of weeks in Hisaronu Korfezi, one of our favourite cruising areas. We were lucky enough to have Anne Marie join us from Fethiye for a few days. Great to catch up and a chance for us to return some of the hospitality we get on visits to her. Our time however went far too quickly and saw Anne Marie heading back to Matapan and us to Greek waters, after a stock up from the local market. As much fruit and veg that you can carry for less than £4, 2 litres of local olive oil for less than £6 and 2kg of chicken for less than £5 – good job the freezer is still working well to store it all.

Palon harbour on Nisiros

A couple of fast sails – up to 8.4 knots, saw us in Panormitis to sit out the next blow. Three nights of windy weather before we saw a weather window to head for Nisiros. Again a cracking sail with speeds up to 8 kts until the wind dropped for an hour in the middle of the 30 mile crossing. Lots of space in Nisiros and the following day saw us take the lines of C’est la Vie and a few days were spent together before we headed off to Kos to pick up Kathryn.

Kathryn lived up to her nick name of windy witch. After her first couple of days on board, the wind filled in to 20-25kts plus and stayed there for the next 10 days. In fact until she’s gone home. We managed a few sails with her to Leros, Arki, Lipsi and then back to Leros to the safety of our paid for marina berth!

Windy Leros

The enforced stay in the marina saw us touring the island in a car and being true tourist, going to the beach on a couple of days. With the wind as strong as it was Kathryn was quite happy to catch the ferry to Kos for her flight home. Apparently the trip was quite lumpy!

With just over two weeks till we flew home we decided to stay put in the marina. The meltemi wind was here to stay which kept it cooler on the boat but still too warm in the middle of the day to do jobs.

Looking towards Kalimnos from Leros

A very sad day happened when C’est la Vie (Sven & Caryn), who had followed us up from Nisiros, was at anchor in Lakki. The boat caught fire and was totally lost to the flames. Thankfully they were not on board (they were touring the island) and were not hurt but they were true liveaboards and lost everything apart from what they had ashore with them. Very sad and tragic, we were only pleased that they were alright. All we could do was help in what seemed little way. Drinks on Crazydream, offer of accommodation, rading the wardrobe for clothes. Many people offered and gave help as only the yachting community can. Even the locals in Lakki offered help. A very sad end to this year’s early cruising. It really does make you stop and think.
 

Local boats on Leros

Early Season

We finally decided we should get out of the marina for a shake down cruise, also we needed to fill the freshwater tanks and didn't want to pay for water. We headed north in light winds checking we'd put everything back the right way after the winter. Everyting seemed to work apart from the bleeper on the autohelm, hopefully we'll get that sorted without incurring a hefty bill from Raymarine - the maker or we'll just keep saying "beep" each time we press a button!

Lipsi early in the season

We arrived in Lipsi to find just two other boats on the quay, two more would follow us. It was still early in the season and idyllic. Although the water tap had a padlock on it, it still worked up to half open. It only took 2 hours to fill the tanks!
We ate at Manoli's, a taverna at the top of the stairs in the village. Everyday he comes down to the quay in his chiefs outfit to tell the yachts what he has and where to find him. We haven't ate better on the island yet.
It would have been easy to stay longer but there was a weather window if we wanted to go north and G wanted to go to Arki and the taverna with the music. We anchor'd off for one night taking lines ashore but the sea was still too cold to enjoy the swim and the evenings too chilly to sit in the cockpit. We managed our first BBQ of the year but were below decks way before 9pm!
Arki was quiet with only 5 yachts on the quay, the wind blew constantly whilst we were there but other than making us cold we were very safe. A night in the music bar saw a few sore heads the following day. We decided to head back to Lakki with a sail downwind seeing our first turtle and had dolphins playing off the bow - lovely. Back to the marina to do a few jobs and to enjoy the Greek Easter celebrations. The marina bar hosted a free lunch for the yachties, traditional Easter lamb and free drinks. Although the beer ran out there was plenty of ouzo going. We'd have stayed later except that Chris from Vonasi call to say he was just coming into the bay. Riding bikes and taking lines is not that easy after a free Greek lunch and drink session!
It was good to catch up with Chris but seemed strange with no Claire who was in the UK dealing with her mothers estate. A few meals and drinks had before Chris headed out towards the Cyclades, he was heading for the Ionian.

Kalimnos Harbour

Time for us to start heading for Kos for G's sister's, Lin, holiday. She had a hotel room booked for her duration but we hoped to get her out on the boat although she'd never been on Crazydream before.
A stop in Kalimnos town where our first breakage of the year happened - the shower drain pump decided not to work. A few hours later, with the pump being dissembled at least 3 times, a new impeller was required but it was sunday! The following morning found us trawling the greek chandlers and eventually finding a Greek impeller that would fit and at a good price. Shower pump now works.
We arrived in Kos at the time we'd said (always difficult when sailing) and there was Lin in the harbour entrance with a beer in hand. Lunch on board with more drinks prior to seista, well for Lin, we decided to fill with water (again for free) and shop for beer and wine (not free!).
A couple of days in Kos showing Lin the sights and using her hotel shower saw rolly nights in the harbour on the boat and a surge at one time causing us to hit the bottom with the rudder. It was not pleasant and so it was time to head off.

Kos Free Quay

With a southerly forecast we headed northward stopping again in Kalimnos, then onto Leros where the strong southerly blew through before we headed back south. There was a lot of shore time with us being attached to the land each day, we even hired a car for one day to show Lin the island of Leros where we have kept the boat for the last four winters. She caught the ferry from Kalimnos to Kos and we headed for Nisiros to sit out another southerly that was due to blow.
As with most times when we go into Nisiros, Ces la Ve were in port and we caught up with what each other have been doing over the last couple of years. Sven was still enjoying being "harbour master" helping boats who got into trouble whilst mooring or leaving. The Port Police where in force here, well one chap came round everyday to check papers and take money. Cost us nearly as much as our marina berth a night but it was a safe harbour for the blow and a lovely beach for a swim. Downside is that you feel obliged to eat out in one of the many taverna's that line the small harbour and then it starts to get expensive.

Leros looking south from the castle

On to Tilos for a free stop and to stock up from the local butcher before heading over to Symi to sit out another blow that was forecast. A very good anchorage at Panormitis saw it full of boats, some closer than we'd have liked! The blow came in when it said it would and we saw a few boats drag their anchors, we held firm but put a chum weight on the anchor chain to get further away from the boat who we and a canadian boat couldn't wake up. A little sleep that night before P was up anchor watching as the wind increased. It turned off in the evening giving us enough time to have Geoff and Liz from Surf Song over for a drink and to discuss some of the yachts anchoring techniques!
Onto Symi town to stock up before a few weeks in the Turkish anchorages in Hisaronu Korfezi. As ever we went to Georgina's for our beer and wine supply and were pleased to see her busy and that people we had recommended to her had visited and spent some money. A noisy night from the cafe bar made our decision to head off the next day. A nice downwind sail and anchored behind the island of Kiseli Adasi, an idyllic anchorage until the wind turns, we dislodge the rock that we are attached to the land with, wind increasing with us on a lee shore (being blown onto the land 10m behind us) and rain - all before 7am. We spent some time looking for somewhere to hide as did many others, with all the normal places open to the wind blowing 30kts plus and other places too deep. Eventually we settled outside of the islands for a few hours knowing that the wind was going to change again and we'd need to move - again - oh the joys of cruising!
An arrangement to meet Frank from Marinerme saw us heading to one of our favourite anchorages, Dirsek, a spot backed onto the beach with lines ready for Frank when he arrived (he was on his own as Jenny was back in the UK). The offer of pork chop on the barbie was a too good and it saw us meeting a day early and staying together for a few days. Sadly only two of the blue band gang where together, Rassy Lady weren't out but hopefully we'll get us altogether in the autumn and maybe this unsettled weather will sort itself out!

Winter 2012

After the wedding life got into some sort of routine, P working back at QA hospital on the bank in orthopaedics and G doing odd jobs and looking for work. He had inherited a motor bike, a Moto Guzzi 1000s ( a bike he'd always fancied and never been able to afford) from a friend who had died following a road accident. If you couldn't find Gordon he was in the garage "tinkering" getting the bike road worthy and MOT'd for its 19th birthday. Geoff Hebditch would have been pleased to see it back on the road again.

The inherited Moto Guzzi

An add in the local paper saw G making a phone call and then working for Southern Self Drive, a car/van hire firm. It was minimal wage and day by day notice but fairly regular work.

We tried to catch up with as many people as possible which wasn't always easy with peoples commitments and working ourselves. We managed a few days with cruising friends in Worthing with Crazydream, Flirtie, Matapan and Vonasi crews gathering.Great to see everyone but strange without Geoff  from Matapan who passed away in summer 2011. He was there is spirit!

Gathering in Worthing

Curries or outings to Whetherspoon's (its the only place we can afford to eat and drink!) with different friends through the winter were regular events and 6 months seemed to pass quite quickly. The last few weeks seeming to be quite a rush with G doing decorating, bathroom refurbishments as well as driving and doing roofing repairs. Things still needed to be bought to take back to the boat, keeping within our 20kg each luggage allowance - amazing what you can get in hand luggage!

After last goodbyes we were finally heading back to Crazydream over Easter weekend via Rhodes for a short holiday. We decided to fly in there as we were not likely to take the boat there. Although it has a nice new marina, its not open yet and the town harbour has minimal space. So in true cruising style we flew in and hired a car! In 3 days we visited the old walled town, ancient sites and toured the island. Our stay turned out to be longer than anticipated due to bad weather.

Rhodes Harbour entrance

Strong southerly winds, 50knots plus prevented the fast catamaran running and delayed the ordinary ferry as it couldn't get into the harbour (waves crashing over the breakwater and swell coming up the ferry slip way). We opted for another night in the hotel and thus 2 extra days in Rhodes with many others in the same predicament. At least the sun was shining. We finally got toCrazydream at 4am in the morning.

There was a few things to sort, leaking window, leak through the deck at the bottom of the mast and the exploded battery! The battery could have been a lot worse but thankfully the battery box contained the spilt acid and not further damage was apparent, just the replacement battery to purchase. All this before the normal relaunching jobs took place. A week later found us afloat in Leros Marina. Since we've been in the water its been windy from the north making it quite chilly even with the sun shining. We actually got the winter tent out and on so that we could sit up top and watch the world go by and keep us warmer - definitely not BBQ weather yet! It says its going to improve and it needs to before we go sailing - even the quilt is on the bed, a first for a few years!

Crazydream being launched

When the weather gets better we'll be heading out for some cruising.