27th September 2010
We hoisted the anchor early and headed out of the bay heading for Nisyros. We headed up the east coast of the island and then rounded the head and keeping Turkey to starboard we motored all day as there was a head wind (as usual). We anchored in Pali harbour mid afternoon.
We renewed acquaintances with the different people we had met and made new friends in particular Anna who is a master as embroidery and sewing.
Nils and Ellen on Laerke have still not arrived as they have encountered heavy winds around Amorgos and before arriving in Nisyros they will visit Leros and make their winter arrangements in the new harbour there.
We have explored the town of Mandraki and found the different shops that we will need including a chandler where Svein did a super deal on new anchoring ropes. We spent an afternoon splicing and making them ready for use. He also repaired the frame for the deck hatch in the saloon. He is also preparing the work that he wants to do in the winter particularly a sitting area on deck round the mizzen mast. The drawings look good so we can only hope that the finished product will also be as good and practical.
We had the opportunity of testing the work that Svein has done to waterproof the boat when we had some heavy winds and rain over a few days. Eureka the boat is now dry which is a great relief as we no longer need our art deco decoration of empty water bottles to catch the drips!!!!!!!
The harbour in Pali has been very busy with up to 40 boats on occasions and the social life has been quite hectic. Some Norwegian charter boats came through and Svein was able to help them with computer problems and we enjoyed some very pleasant dinners as a result. It is amazing to see the number of boats and nationalities that have found the harbour.
After surfing internet Caryn found some very cheap flights to the UK so she planned to go over for a week in mid October. Svein hired a car to drive her to the ferry and we also took the time to explore the island a little further including a visit to a fantastic castle that has been restored and overlooks Mandraki.
20th October 2010
The ferry trip to Kardamena on Kos was uneventful but the same cannot be said of the flights to the UK. The outgoing flight was delayed (as the company had its license revoked) but they laid on another flight. The end result was that Caryn arrived at her mothers house at midnight having left Pali at 07h00.
The stay was fairly uneventful but enabled her to see her mother’s doctor and get her eyes tested. The main problem was the cold and the rain as the temperatures were nothing like those that had bee left behind in Greece. The return journey was even more harassing and took 36 hours from the time she left the flat to her arrival back on the boat. As the ferry did not coincide with her arrival Svein brought the boat over to Kardamena.
2nd November 2010
We have been here a week now and have managed to hire a car (between 3 boats), do a major shop and order new glasses for Caryn from the optician in Kos town. The weather has been of summer standard and we have been sitting out on deck until the sun goes down. Laerke sailed over with Svein and they shall leave tomorrow for Leros and we shall sail back to Pali. We shall probably divide our time between the two islands over the winter as we have free mooring, water and electricity in both harbours.
We shall try and keep you updated on the events over the winter so that you all know what progress we are making on our winter projects.