Tom Claydon

Sails, Sunsets and Snaps
Day3
Sailing to Kefalonia (Morning)
October 2, 2018 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Having checked the weather forecast for today, at one point it suggested rain but fortunately it was wrong because the weather turned out to be just right ... bright and sunny with very pleasant temperatures. For sailing, the wind was great in the morning but virtually non-existent in the afternoon.

The day, then, started with the standard morning briefing where the destination is set and the sea conditions given. Then, having taken breakfast in a small restaurant, it was back to Rincewind to prepare to leave. This didn't take long at all and Rob was really excited when he was given the opportunity to take the helm to steer the yacht from its moorings and out to sea. In no time at all the boat was in open water and the sails were raised.

It turned out to be a great morning sailing with a steady wind (yesterday it kept changing direction) and the yacht maintaining a really good speed. At times waves broke over the bow and you really felt like you were moving. Penny & Tom commented this was probably the best wind they'd had in Greece and maybe this was helped by the fact they were sailing in open water - as the course changed southward the wind died down.

At lunchtime Penny & Tom knew of a quiet little bay to anchor for lunch and this is just what they did. Lunch consisted of Greek salad, nibbles and rum punch ... it really is a hard life!

Penny decided to go swimming and commented how warm the water felt, once you were in. Rob spent some time feeding a shoal of fish with some bread left over from the meal and Alan & Tom just spent the time relaxing.Read more
Gaye Belle
Good pic of 4 happy Sailors!
10/3/18Reply
Gaye Belle
Sorry I cannot count should be 5 Sailors enjoying life!
10/3/18Reply
Gaye Belle
NoI am not drunk! I just cannot count !
10/3/18Reply
Richard Valsler
Great stuff! Happy sailing and exploring. Do you still have to watch for "Here be Dragons" on the maps now-a-days? Richard.
10/4/18Reply
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Oct 2, 2018, 2:42pm · ⛅ 24 °C · Altitude: Sealevel · 38°26'24" N 20°38'24" E
Greece Ithaca Kalývia
Sails, Sunsets and Snaps
Day2
First Day Sailing
October 1, 2018 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Today the weather was bright and sunny and after a morning briefing and a visit to the supermarket for supplies, the boat was prepared and Penny took the helm. Her trusty crew manned the ropes and Rincewind, the name of the yacht, glided from its mooring and headed for the open seas.

Sounds impressive doesn't it ... and it was to be honest. The water was calm and a lovely deep blue and the temperature pleasant. Once out of the shelter of the port there was a favourable wind and soon the main sail was suitably hoisted.

The sails were used all day with the wind gusting to around 20 knots at times and it really was fun even though there was plenty to do at times. It seemed like no time at all when the destination port was sighted then Penny was skilfully manoeuvring Rincewind into her birth for the night.

The day ended with a G&T all-round then a lovely meal out in a nearby restaurant. No sign of a sunset though, so maybe tomorrow.

No pirates either.Read more
Richard Valsler
Lovely images and delightfully relaxing narrative so far. Thank you. Richard.
10/4/18Reply
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Oct 1, 2018, 7:48pm · ⛅ 20 °C · Altitude: 7 m · 38°37'18" N 20°40'60" E
Greece Lefkada Syvota Órmos Sívota
Sails, Sunsets and Snaps
Day1
Travelling and Arrival
September 30, 2018 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
This is going to be a very different adventure to the one in August 2018. For a start, it's to a place where the temperatures are around 24c and the chance of rain far less probable ... hopefully! A big difference though, apart from the fact it involves a 38ft yacht and a load of sailing, is that Rob isn't travelling alone this time. His daughter, Penny, and her partner Tom provide the sailing expertise as they are both qualified Skippers and experienced with sailing yachts and all that goes with it. The fourth member of the crew is Alan, Rob's 90 year old Dad, who is really looking forward to the trip.

The flight was 3.5hrs leaving from Manchester and the best view on the way was as the plane flew over the Alps. Though the mountains could be clearly seen, they were shrouded in an ethereal mist which gave them very much the feel of another world. Upon landing at Preveza in western Greece, the magic continued when the group were greeted at the airport with the most amazing and brightly coloured rainbow. Rob, of course, just had to photograph it (only with his phone though) and you can see the results in this footprint. The rainbow wasn't really wobbly in the middle but something didn't quite work with the panorama mode on the phone camera. You perhaps get the idea though.

The journey ended after a twenty minute transfer to the marina where the four mariners were introduced to their floating home for the next week. It was dark when they arrived so it was difficult to tell what the surroundings looked like. Guess they find out tomorrow.Read more
Gaye Belle
Thanks for pics,like the 🌈 xx
10/3/18Reply
Richard Valsler
Hi Rob and all the other crew! I didn't know that Tom and Penny were experienced skippers, I thought that you would have a "professional" crew and that you would be just sitting around! This is MUCH better and I wish you all a very "jolly" holiday. By the way, do you know who "Rincewind" is Rob? Regards, Richard.
10/4/18Reply
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Sep 30, 2018, 8:49pm · ⛅ 18 °C · Altitude: 4 m · 38°49'54" N 20°42'42" E
Greece Lefkada Lefkada Port of Lefkada

Sailing to Kefalonia (Morning)

First Day Sailing

Travelling and Arrival

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