29 -30 September 2023 – Vathy

Having spent a night in the marina in Vathy, we moved to another bay just around the corner, 2 miles by boat but about half a mile on foot across the headland.  For this distance it was not worth even thinking about getting the sails up, in fact I was initially thinking that I would not get all the lines tidied away and the fenders in before we arrived.  However, all was completed in good time. 

The bay we arrived at was certainly popular with other boats, and we spent some time looking for a place with sufficient room and the right depth for us to anchor.  We dropped the anchor and got it nicely dug in, when a guy on the nearest boat decided to complain that we were too close.  We think that it was while we were driving backwards to check that the anchor was set, and that we would have drifted forward leaving plenty of space once there was no drive on.  So we took the anchor up and then had another two or three goes at setting it, without success. Eventually we got it to hold but were unhappy about our position, as we might have swung close to other boats, or across the anchor chains of some that had shore lines holding them in place. The solution was to set our own shore lines, which was a bit of a performance.  We were doubtful that the reel of line that we have on deck would be long enough to pull us in, as by this time we had drifted further from the shore. So out came our mega long line.  I forget exactly how long it is, but it always gets into a tangle and takes a lot of sorting out.  Today was no exception.  I took the line in the dinghy and went ashore to secure one end, and then rowed back towards Equinox.  Unfortunately each time I made progress for a while, then came to another point where the line would not run out.  Eventually, and I mean eventually, with the help of a guy from another British boat, who came with his dinghy and towed me back, while I dealt with the line, we got it back to Equinox and secured.  Then it was time to pull Equinox round, through more than 90  degrees and back towards the shore.  In the process we had to let out all of the available anchor chain but we ended up in a good position. 

After a break for lunch and some time sorting out the remainder of the shore line, the other end was taken ashore to give a nice “V” shape, and ensure that we did not move sideways in either direction.  All of this took about 3 hours, and we were glad of a break afterwards. Who said that this sailing lark is all glamour!




In the evening we had a lovely meal ashore with Sherida and Tom, and some of their other friends who are staying locally.

On Saturday, the guy who had made us move in the first place decided that he should put shore lines out as well, and then proceeded to take just as long as we did.  We had good entertainment for a couple of hours while he ran lines from his boat first to a floating buoy, and then he attempted to pull his boat round using his tender.  The line he had was not long enough so he had to get another and join them, before using the tender again to pull the boat.  He was also having to let out anchor and was in danger of swinging into the boat of the guy who helped us.  The crew on board did not seem to know what to do to help, but after much to and fro, and conversations between the tender and the boat by telephone, they got the into a reasonable position.

Port cinema is wonderful when you are not the act performing for everyone else’s entertainment.

Miles today               2

Miles in 2023      1038

Steve (and Tricia) 

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