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Greece Summer 24
  • Sally and Eric's Travels
  • Eric Whitelaw
  • Sally and Eric's Travels
  • Eric Whitelaw

Greece Summer 24

Our 1st expedition on Carla, Grand Soleil 46.3. Off to explore the Saronic and Cyclades and find some wind. Read more
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  • Trip start
    May 9, 2024
    Greece Summer 24
    Back in lovely Kilada
    Chilling on our Balcony!

    Off to Kilada to prepare Carla

    May 9, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    An easy trip to the airport but Wizz Air in chaos! Priority queue took longer than non priority and flight departure delayed by nearly an hour because they missed their slot! Can only get better!😂 Checking in our luggage we realised we were not all going to get in 1 car with all the cases, so a last minute 1 way car hire was needed!
    We found a BMW which we fortunately hired from Pops car hire at the 11th hour, but it needed fuel. After finding an open Greek petrol station at mudnight, we eventually arrived in our little apartment in Kilada at 2am, after a very windy 2.5 hour drive from the airport. So the adventure begins!    Read more

  • Greece Summer 24
    One coat of Antifouling done and one Hatch cover done!
    Someone is camera shy!All done and off for our first cool drink!1Cheers!

    Boatyard days

    May 9–12, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Straight to work Friday morning as Carla is sitting on the hard in Basimakopoulos boatyard waiting for some TLC.
    We had to take off her covers before the rain started and then after returning our car to Ermioni Tony and I got on with anti fouling her hull whilst Eric greased up her propeller and started trying to move the main anchor. Meanwhile Sally H put her sewing skills to the test and started making mosquito nets for the hatches.Read more

  • Greece Summer 24
    There she is loaded and ready to go.
    Splash. Wait for me Eric.Going shopping boating style!Looking at our anchorage tonight.Lifting Carla to get her ready to go into the slings.Eric touching up the Antifouling where she had been sitting in the cradle.And at Anchor. Time for a beer.

    Launch day

    May 13, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    With all the preparation done we are ready to be launched. In Greek time that could be anytime between 8am-1pm. Luckily all went well and we were in the water by 12.30 all captured in the videos below.
    We haven't list our skills - out on anchor and she took first time! Time to relax 😌.    Read more

  • Greece Summer 24
    2Up goes the Stay sail.
    Job doneWoman in charge 🙈Back in his favorite position.View from the back of CarlaGreat sunset from the boat.Port Heli Church - hope Lisa likes it.Lovely little Chapel with various viewChecking out wedding planners for Lisa

    Sail Test Day

    May 14, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Up early before the wind got up to hoist the sails. All went well and had a chance to test them out as the wind picked up by midday. Very happy with her performance so headed off to Port Heli. All set now for a few days Island hopping on our way to Athens. 2 Turtles and a pod of dolphins in first 24 hours, not bad!Read more

  • Greece Summer 24
    Sal laying the shoreline
    Eric standing by!No other boats to be seen!360 view of the anchorage!

    Docos

    May 15, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Lazy morning in Port Heli before heading off to the island of Hydra. No wind so an easy motor around the South of the mainland and we picked a quiet remote bay to anchor. As the wind picked up about 7pm we decided to move to a different island with more shelter and less rocks around us! Off we headed to Docos and eventually had a really comfortable night - slight hitch we realised there might be a gearbox issue!Read more

  • Greece Summer 24
    Ermioni Quay
    I loved this very traditional Greek taverna.Just doing the paperwork with the port official! Only 20 Euros to moor 46ft boat for the evening👍Eric looking on concerned. Spot the 3 engineers all crowded around the engine room.Looking the part - the man that did the most work!And it's not all bad!Dress up warm in the evenings

    Ermioni

    May 16, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Having struggled with the gearbox when mooring yesterday we decided to head over to the mainland and get an engineer to check it out. An easy trip but not so easy coming alongside but good old skip bought us on safely despite no gears! Wind blowing us on helped and with a friendly neighbouring yachtsman catching a line we are all tied up safely, although be it a bit lumpy. In typical Greek time the Engineers said 5pm and it was 7.30 before they showed up. But worth the wait as hopefully they are coming back Sat to change some oil and we will be on our way.Read more

  • Greece Summer 24
    Hydra Town as we passed - couldn't stop!
    We've just lost our gearbox - stuck out at sea! Greek RNLI anyone??Come to Greece I said, it's warm!Port Heli at its best

    Back to base

    May 18, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    A lazy day yesterday, tinkering with the boat whilst waiting for Engineers to come this morning. An efficient team changed the oil, twisted a few cables and said go and try it.
    A calm passage up to Hydra only to find after 3 hours and a warm gearbox we still had no reverse!
    About turn and a quick call to the engineer Vasso who suggested we disconnect the gear lever mid passage to see if we could engage the gearbox without use of the cables. as you do.....!
    No luck so definitely need to go back to Kilada and lift her out for major repairs. A long way to go in an afternoon so a quick overnight stop in Port Heli where there is a big wide anchorage!    Read more

  • Greece Summer 24
    With a Seaview this time!3

    Back on the Dry dock!

    May 20, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    An early start to take the front sails down before the wind got up. Shortly after, we were called up and Carla was hoisted out. Once she was in her cradle we were back on board busily preparing her for the onslaught of the greese monkeys who will remove the engine and change the gearbox! What is it with us and gearboxes!!Read more

  • Greece Summer 24

    Nafplion

    May 21, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    With Carla all laid up and waiting for the engineers we took ourselves off to Nafplion by car., stopping for a lovely lunch in Bibabi.
    Having walked around for an hour or two admiring the old town it started to register we had been here before!
    Last sure sailed here but neither of us could remember the castle or port but recognised a bar we had been in!    Read more

  • Greece Summer 24
    Carla sittin in Lavrion

    Back on Board

    July 11, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    An easy trip out to Lavrion to pick up Carla, after Tony and Sally left her there at the end of their trip.
    A pleasant charter base, with easy access from Athens and lots of places to provision up the boat.Read more

  • Greece Summer 24
    Our spot for the evening
    Sitting comfortably at anchorBolt croppers needed!

    Sounion to pick up Cath

    July 12, 2024 in Greece ⋅ 🌬 30 °C

    A brief shop before heading off to Sounion to pick up Cath.
    A pleasant trip south passing the Temple of Poseidon on the headland before Sounion bay.
    We settled in, despite the strong meltemi wind from the North blowing 20 knots in the bay, pumped up the dinghy and that's when the fun began! Bolt croppers needed to get the outboard engine off Carla as the lock had seized.
    Eric then set the engine up and sent me off to pick up Cath from the shore. No more than 50 meters away from Carla and the engine cut out. As I tried to restart it I was drifting out to sea back past Carla, so I tried to throw a rope to Eric but ir was not long enough. Oars were plan B but paddling was not getting me anywhere! So row it was to be.....until I dropped an oar!As I just started to drift out to Africa, Cath is sitting on the beach with a cool drink and Eric decides he better lift the anchor and come and pick me up! Meanwhile a Spanish yachtsman spots me drifting away and dives in with his flippers on and swims out towards me, picks up my oar and hops onboard, leaving his wife and children on board his boat! 2 attempts to start the engine failed so at this point we are very happy as Eric arrives with Carla and we hop on board.
    Thanks all round and we motor back towards his yacht and he just dives off and swims back to his boat - knight in flippers!
    So Eric sorts the engine, apparently it had been knocked from the auxiliary tank to the top tank pipe so no fuel was getting to the carburettor.
    Off I head again reassured it would not be a problem and arrive at the dock to see a smiling Cath. However because the jetty was in the swimming area the lifeguard came straight up and made me turn the engine off! Cath hops on board, we row out of the swimming area and then try to start the engine!!! Needless to say it was no go so row we did, all the way back out and past! Eric saved us by launching a rope as we went past and I'm shouting "row harder Cath we've got to turn right". All ended well with G&Ts on board and supper as didn't fancy going out in the dinghy again!1    Read more

  • Greece Summer 24

    Kythnos - Loutra

    July 13, 2024 in Greece ⋅ 🌬 28 °C

    Having had a very blowy night on anchor we were ready to set off and find a more sheltered stop. Deciding to give Kea, the closest Island,
    a miss we headed east to Kythnos to a small village on the NE side of the Island. A lovely sail over with it blowing 20-25 knots and gusting 5-10 higher. Well worth the effort and lots of choice to drink and eat. With the wind really high we decided to stay put for Sunday and find a good place to watch the tennis finals and England in the world cup. A leisurely day with a morning laze in the natural spring spa and watched the tennis on the IPad on the beach with cocktails in hand. Shame about the football result but one stage closer this time, better luck in the OlympicsRead more

  • Greece Summer 24

    Syros - Finikas

    July 15, 2024 in Greece ⋅ 🌬 28 °C

    Croissants and coffee on shore before we headed off to Syros. A gusty wet sail, Cath having a moment, thinking about having a 2nd look at her breakfast but she survived the sail. Good helming by seadog Eric meant we arrived safe and sound but very salty. On arrival we squeezed ourselves into the last spot on the Quay and funny enough the first thing we wanted was a beer and some ready salted crisps!
    A cool dip at the beach followed by cocktails and dinner before an early night.    Read more

  • Greece Summer 24
    Cath holding down the sail.
    Spot Eric!Wouldn't want to sit in these pews for long!Just one of many small interlinked lanes with churches,shops,and bars.Loved this sign amogst all the shops. So true!Time to try a coffee shop out!Guess which is Caths?Evening cocktails1And chill.1And another shop...just to show Eric!

    Paros - Parikia

    July 16, 2024 in Greece ⋅ 🌬 29 °C

    Heading South today should have been an easy sail!
    Unfortunately not! As we unfurled the genial there was a loud ping as the halyard snapped and the sail came straight down, unfortunately over the side of the boat. Eric quickly put Carla in reverse whilst Cath and I tried to haul it back in. It was eventually a 3 man job as it quickly filled with water. Once safely back on board we tied it all up and continued on with just the Stay sail. A trip up the mast for Eric, in harbour when the wind and seas calm down.
    Still very blowy so we decided to stay a 2nd day. Eric played with his tools on board whilst Cath and I wandered around the Greek lanes and had a girlie swim. Not sure who was happiest!    Read more

  • Greece Summer 24

    Sifnos - Gialos beach

    July 18, 2024 in Greece ⋅ 🌬 28 °C

    Maintenance completed we headed off to Sifnos. Because of the extremely strong meltemi winds from the North, we are zigzagging east and west rather than a direct route South. Sifnos allows us then to drop Cath in Milos on Saturday to get a ferry back to Athens. A good sail west with only 15-20 knots of wind, we had our first opportunity to get the main sail up . Carla sailed lovely and we were soon checking out the anchorages for an overnight stop.
    Once again the wind picked up and we decided to move on from Faros our first choice to Gialos beach where the holding was better and more room to swing.
    Unfortunately the winds kept increasing so we decided to have someone on anchor watch all night! Eric 1st stint 11'-2am, Cath 2-4am and I sit writing this as the sun comes up , 4-7am. Well worth it as it continued to gust 30-40knts all night.    Read more

  • Greece Summer 24
    All this to explore.
    The winds coming at us - yellow is 30knts, red is 40+Quaint alleysErics happy placeLast G&T on the boat for CathPlanning some walks - for a cool day!Cats enjoying Caths leftoversOff for their morning dipMayhem at the ferry dock! Not 1 but 3 all together!Off on the white seajetCath sitting comfortablyRomantic dinner for 2.And shopping on the way home!

    Sifnos - Kamares

    Jul 19–21, 2024 in Greece ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

    A short trip up the coast to the main harbour on the Island to ensure Cath can catch her ferry. Very windy passage so hugged the coast to shelter from the big chop!Once docked we headed off to the beach for a cool swim and cocktails, again!
    A lovely village, frequented by lots of backpackers on the Greek Islands trail - seems the way to travel.
    A lovely dinner ashore for Caths last night - shared with the local cats.
    Meltemi kicked in about 4am so another stint up on anchor watch with the engine on, as we were being blown onto the Quay! A lazy day on the beach after seeing Cath off onto the ferry.    Read more

  • Greece Summer 24
    Goodbye stinkpot.
    Easy motor NorthThe beautiful Old town up the hill of the bay - when we come back and it's cooler we will hike up.Eric fancies a new car!Full moon over the bay.

    Serifos - Livadi

    July 21, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Lots of wind - no wind! One or the other in the Islands and today there was none! An interesting manoeuvre to leave dock as a large motor boat decided to squeeze in the space next to us just as we were about to leave! Fortunately he hadnt crossed our anchor but i could touch their boat as we hoisted it up! A short motor further North to prepare for the crossing back to the Saronic Islands. Another lovely bay with lots of boating activity so we dropped the anchor and swam ashore with a soggy 20 Euro note to watch the sport. Best cool beer ever!
    Beautiful full moon whilst eating dinner.    Read more

  • Greece Summer 24
    Very tranquil spotOur damaged forestay that Eric found whilst rerunning the broken halyardView from the top of the mast!

    Kythnos - Merichas

    July 22, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    A lovely sail around the East side of Serifos and then on up to Kythnos. Although we stopped here on the way down, this time we moored up on the west side of the Island in Merichas.
    A quiet harbour but a ferry port so the occasional swell. Taking advantage of the quiet water i put Eric up the mast to rethread the Genoa halyard. We had a cracking sunset whilst having a cheeky pre dinner drink at a lovely restaurant on the beach but the sandflies thought I was very tasty!Read more

  • Greece Summer 24
    Our sun tent, works a treat.
    Skip sheltering from the sun.VourkariIt's been a tough day!Ssl doing admin!Fire breaks out!

    Kea - Vourkari

    July 23, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Leaving early as Eric woke with the fresh breeze and had ants in his pants so we headed up to Kea. Good wind to start as we crossed the channel but once in the lea of Kea it was a motor sail.
    After a quick look at Kavia bay we decided to head on to Poisses. We dropped anchor, set up the sun shade and settled down for the night and then the wind picked up! Good job we weren't ashore as the anchor started to drag as the wind started gusting 30knts! So we headed off again and 3rd time lucky we settled in Vourkari. Dinner on board and hopefully a peaceful sleep. Just as we settled down a fire broke out on the shore behind us. Very impressed with local fire services, bikes within minutes with extinguishers shortly followed by fire truck! Under control very quickly , we were feeling safe in the middle of the sea.Read more

  • Greece Summer 24
    Early start
    Arriving in Poros2Fouled Prop!1Job done - plastic cut off!The ferry taking our sprayhood for repairs for 1 euro, cheaper than a stamp!2Just leave it on the steps said the ferryman!

    Poros here we come

    July 24, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Up early and set sail at 6am as the sun was rising. A lumpy start but after an hour we hoisted the sails and had a fab sail across to Poros - 48 miles. A quick swim stop in the bay before going on the wall for the night, highlighted we had picked up a bail of plastic on the Prop at some point as we entered the harbour! We dropped anchor and luckily Eric managed to cut it off, before we headed into dock and needed reverse.
    Once moored up we set about finding a sail repair shop to mend our sprayhood which is disintegrating with the sun each day! For 1 euro we sent it off on a car ferry across the bay on its own to the repair shop - what could possible go wrong?!! Come back tomorrow to find out!🙈    Read more

  • Greece Summer 24
    Big wide safe bay!
    Off we go again

    Porte Heli

    July 26, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    A lazy start but as the wind picked up from the west we decided it was best to move as it would be an uncomfortable night , so we lifted anchor and headed west! Another fab sail all the way but paying the price tonight as batteries low so no ice for the G&T!Read more

  • Greece Summer 24
    Tough trip!
    Green arrow marks the spotLunch time hang out!Carla looking good.Supper on waters edgeAnother beautiful sunsetA happy man!

    Vivari - Chaidari cove

    July 27, 2024 in Greece ⋅ 🌙 27 °C

    No wind so we motored off to find a quiet bay for lunch and to charge the batteries! Lovely few hours anchored up doing domestics before heading off to Vivari. Only to realise on arrival this was where we had a punch party on flotilla last year!
    A quick walk around the harbour and village before having supper on the water side. All good apart from Sal getting a fish with head and bones!!    Read more

  • Greece Summer 24
    Leaving Vivari- last sail
    He's not on the crew list!Kilada waiting for usLast supper on board this timeSun going downNow you see it...Now it's gone

    Back to Kilada

    July 28, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    A refreshing swim before heading South to base. Special treat on the way across the bay - spotted a Dolphin playing in the wake of a superyacht. Moving too fast but at least we've seen one this trip!
    Settled in the bay, ready for our liftout in the morning we strip and clean Carla and finally settle down for our last supper on board at 9pm!
    Fab spot with illuminated caves behind us.    Read more

  • Greece Summer 24
    British Rail taking the strain on the way to Gatwick.
    A quick snooze on the flight for FreyaBreakfast timeTrying out the new flotation aidFancy coming on the canoe Freya?I'll teach you to sail ElliottOops...learning the hardware!Stopping for a restAndrea and I sneaking out to watch.Well earned beerI'm ready to go ...Getting the hang of itThis is fun but why am I getting wet?Sleeping on the job!Sailing sorted - Easy says ElliottTrying out a HobiecatFinal supper.

    Kamari - Rhodes

    Sep 28–Oct 5, 2024 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    A special week with Elliott, Andrea and Freya at Mark Warner started off this section of our trip. 7 lovely days chilling, playing tennis, paddle, sailing, canoeing and playing with Freya. A few pictures to capture the week.Read more

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