6^th August 2010

This morning we had a change of plan. With an updated weather forecast we decided to visit the Bay of Volos before making our crossing. We left the anchorage in the Bay of Vathikelon and continued East (under engine). We were heading for the island of Palaio Trikeri in the Bay of Volos. As we approached the wind blew up and we suddenly started having gusts of 25 knots. Not the best thing to go into a harbour and of course it was blowing from the wrong direction. We prepared the boat and then the trouble started. After we had lowered the dinghy and Svein was backing a wave filled the dinghy with water. We got rid of this and then started to back, dropping the anchor as we went. Unfortunately the anchor did not take and we start drifting onto the other boats and ended up with our starboard side along the fishing boats anchored in the harbour!! A kind French man got in his dinghy and tried to pull us off but by this time a mooring rope had managed to snag our keel so we were stuck fast. The wind was still blowing and now we had all the local fishermen on their boats holding up off. Svein dived and released the mooring rope and the dinghy pulled us off. We had to exit the harbour and were unable to thank them or buy them a round of drinks.

We were glad to get out of there and crossed the bay to find a safer anchorage. Again we ran into problems although our anchor had taken we were receiving gusts of 25 knots into the bay which made it extremely uncomfortable. We decided to head out and move to the entrace of the Bay of Volos where there was a safe anchorage.

The only good thing about the whole day was that we were able to sail to our new anchorage. We moored late afternoon and treated ourselves to a good dinner on shore that we felt we had deserved after the horrors of the day.

We found an internet cafe and were able to get a weather forecast update which should enable us to plan for next few days. After dinner we also met some Austrians who were sailing the same model of Wharram catamaran that Svein had built in the 80s. We had a long chat with them and will perhaps meet up with them in the islands. We went to bed in preparation for an early start for our trip to Skopelos.

7^th August 2010

Bright and early (06h30) we hoisted the anchor and left the Bay of Pigadhi. By 07h00 we had the sails up and then played cat and mouse with the wind until we passed the island of Skiathos.From then on we were able to sail, although on a tight tack, and only started the engine when it was time to enter the harbour of Loutraki on the island of Skopelos. As there was no room on the small quay we anchored off the breakwater. Fortunately we got in early as by late afternoon the flotillas were pouring in as well as the private boats all looking for a space.

Svein has investigated the damage to the new paintwork (from the previous day’s adventure).

We came to Skopelos as we are both Abba fans and this is the setting for the Mamma Mia film. We have, however, yet to find the village where it was based. It certainly was not Loutraki. Whether we have time to explore all the island is another matter but we have at least reached the North Sporades and it is only a few more islands before we get to Lesbos.