Monastir in Tunisia is a long way from anywhere. So just what you need as the first trip of the season an overnighter! We had been waiting for a few weeks for a weather window. It seemed to be constant winds or if there was a break it was strong winds once we got to Malta. So no point in rushing off whilst you had the comfort of the marina. Finally, the day dawned and it was dawn. We had to report to Customs an hour before departure so they could go through all the paperwork. They still have everything on paper in files and everything is in triplicate. Once all the formalities are completed Customs stand on the quay side and wait to ensure you’re going. The weather was quite gentle but we managed to get some sailing in.
We arrived in Sliema Bay 32 hours later. What a sight Marks and Spencer, Matalan and every type of food choice you can think of. Heaven!. You really appreciate this after being in so many places that only offer the local cuisine and perhaps a pizza. Plus,half the boats who wintered in Tunisia were also here. Whilst we were here my very good friend Paula and her hubby Paul would be arriving as they were off on a cruise. The weather wasn’t great, it poured with rain so we took sanctuary in a bar and had some lunch. What else did you expect!
We spent a week in Malta. We frequented the local Lidl on a number of occasions. I know we still get excited about Lidl. We had an extra crew member, Julia, join us for our trip from Malta across to Argostoli, Kefalonia which was just over 300nm trip and involved two overnights. Now why anyone would want to come and do that I don’t know but these proper sailors are a funny lot. It meant I got longer in bed when I was off watch so that was a real bonus. Our second trip of the season was again nice and early setting off at 5.00am. We set off with some good sailing averaging 6.7knots over the first ten hours.
Just over eleven hours in and snap went the main halyard. There were a few choice words from Skipper Ian I can’t deny. So we had to put a mouse (not a real one) up the mast and we used our spinnaker halyard (rope to non yachties) as a temporary measure. There were stronger winds forecast for nearer to Kefalonia so we made the decision to divert 90 degrees and head to Crotone on the foot of Italy. As this would be less strain on the main halyard. We arrived the following night at 23.30 having covered 270nm, we had sailed 24.5 hours and 18.5 hours with the engine and sails.
The weather wasn’t great, windy and overcast but Julia and I decided to go and have a walk around and go to the castle while Ian sorted out the main halyard. The Charles V castle was built in 840 and was modified in 1541 by Charles V. The building was originally a fortress on an ancient Greek acropolis.
We visited the local cemetery here too which was quite something. Some of the family tombs are like small churches.
We had a few nights respite and after waiting for yet another weather window we left for Kassiopi on Corfu. Julia had not had enough of this overnight sailing lark so off the three of us went at a more sensible time of 10.00am. During our trip we picked up a small bird who flew into the cabin. It settled on one of the blinds at one end. It had a walk to the other end of the blind, turned and faced the wall, yes you know what’s coming next, did its business and then trotted back up to the other end again!
We arrived in Kassiopi in some better weather. Julia had one day before heading home, so we headed down to Corfu Old Town to drop her off.
May 21st is Unification of the Ionian Islands. The treaty was signed in March 1864 by England, France and Russia that the Ionian Islands would be passed to Greek rule on the 21st of May. There is a parade with people from schools, university students, emergency and armed forces and marching bands. They also had a bit of an airshow.
After watching the parade we went back to the boat as some strong winds were forecast. We could hear someone shouting. It was a guy on his own on a racing catamaran who was drifting. Ian to the rescue, jumped in the dinghy and went across. He was trying to pull his anchor up by hand as he had no windlass. The guy told Ian I’ll go on the helm and you pull up the windlass. The guy was a lot younger than so Ian suggested as he was the old guy you pull up the anchor and I’ll steer the boat. They eventually managed to re anchor and all was ok.
May 2024