Hell and high water
Trip Start
Jun 01, 2007
1
9
50
Trip End
Ongoing
Ermoupolis,
Greece
Monday, August 20, 2007
Over the past few days we have travelled south, stopping over at Batsi on the island of Andros. Our travels have not been without their moments. We left Skyros with little wind and the engine on, the wind built a little so we put out our largest sail, the cruising chute; and then things really changed. As we entered an area known as the Kafireas Straits the wind increased to a Force 7 with mounting seas.(I told Bridget not to look back but as usual she ignored me only to see waves higher than the back of the boat so she looked forwards again!!) The large container ships use this narrow strait and do not give way to sail! We neared our destination, a little port of Gavrion on the island of Andros only to be confronted by winds exceeding 35 knots per hour (About 40mph). Who said this sailing lark was easy? In the end we settled for the nearby port of Batsi where we sat out the next two days at anchor in fairly unrelenting winds and choppy seas
01 Skyros town
. When we finally took the dinghy ashore 48hours later Bridget had to cling to the first lamp post she came to. I don't know whether it was because she felt so unsteady on her feet or that she was just so pleased to be on dry land! Incidentally for some unknown reason my lifejacket inflated of its own accord whilst in the cabin below - perhaps it was trying to tell me something! Some of the pictures show what I mean. PS
Good luck to Steve and Sally who are about to embark on a similar adventure as liveaboards
Bridget writes...
From hell and high water.............to far worse!! We escaped from Batsi with an encouraging weather forecast that must have been written by Michael Fish! Once again we had several sail changes only to find the wind drop completely for about 20minutes before it came back with a vengeance and despite being in the lee of the land, the wind was a constant 35 knots (gale force 8) and the gusts were nearly 50 knots. Peter had to hand steer up and down the waves and brace himself into the cockpit with his legs as the boat rocked from side to side. He appeared amazingly calm and I had very faith that we would be alright. We altered course and took shelter on the island of Syros in the grottiest, unfinished "marina" we have seen but when safety counts.........who cares what it looks like!!
If you are asking.... why do you do it? The answer is to be found at anchor in a quiet little bay watching a kingfisher and swimming in clear blue water. Life is never a bed of roses wherever you are, and I guess it would be boring if it was but if you asked me right now, this minute...am I enjoying myself, the answer is no, but ....tomorrow is another day!
