10.5 kts, Buccattini in tomato sauce, you’ve guessed it. The Rippa’s have arrived!!
 
Dear, dear friends Mr & Mrs Rippa, Reno and Debs to their chums came to stay for a week. Remember I said they were coming, the question was not. Were they ready for the Aegean? The question was. Was the Aegean ready for them? After spending a lazy day in Molivos we prepared to cast off. The captain and myself had gone off to do some important Internet stuff and left crew members Reno and Debs to clean the boat. We returned to find they had done a darn good job, and so earned themselves their ‘boat cleaning badge’. Debs was taking to the Stella Maris facilities like a duck to water, showering alfresco, she didn’t even bat an eyelid, bring on the lather shipmates!! Once out of the harbour, we found that the weather forecast on this occasion was correct. Force 5 with gusts of 6, and a smattering of 7’s to hold our interest (usually when Debs took the helm). The sea outside the harbour was pretty lively and we found ourselves surfing down some rather large waves, a few snuck over the boat. One in particular left the four of us extremely wet, as it careered over the beam of the boat, we saw it coming, no time to duck, next minute four looky likey drowned rats are staring at each other in disbelief. Reno on the helm and he was loving it, loving it, loving it (for those of you who don’t know Reno, he is the one that puts the ‘nut’ in nutter!!). Reno and Stella a match made in heaven (purely in the nautical sense Debs). Stella always eager to please, decided to give it her all and with a little help from the Reenmeister and a big wave, she reached 10.5kts!!!! (Did I mention we only had the Genoa up, well you can’t let him loose with all that canvas). That night we anchored in a bay called Sigri (39 12’ 71N 25 50’ 94E). Now near the South entrance of the bay there’s a wreck of a yacht that went aground on a sandbank. The Captain and the Reenmeister set off in the dinghy with the outboard (first use this season), no seat in the dinghy, short oars and no radio!! You can see where this is going can’t you. After two hours they had not returned, the wind had got up and they were no where to be seen. I won’t go into anymore detail (will start to sound like a rant) other than to say, they were rescued by a dinghy and the remaining crew on Stella (Debs and myself) were not amused!! The next day we set off at a reasonable hour for Kolpos Yeras a small bay at the bottom of Lesvos. The wind was enjoying duelling with the Reenmeister and gave us a good sail there (didn’t manage the 10.5kts, but got a respectable 7.1 with 2 reefs in the main and 50% Genoa on and off). The sea was a bit swelly and the wind was playful urging on the side boisterous at times (usually when Debs went anywhere near the helm). We approached the channel entrance to the bay and were greeted with 20-25 kts (I had a Deja vu moment, last time we were here it was 9pm and we were not happy bunnies) On the third attempt with the anchor the captain was reasonably happy. What took him from reasonably happy to happy was a second anchor going out. This was our first attempt at two anchors at anchor (if you get my meaning). The Reenmeister rose to the challenge (anchor badge in the bag) and was well up for laying a second anchor. Anchors laid we started to relax, although the wind didn't It was at this point of relaxing that the Rippa’s took a look around the bay to where we had brought them. We like to think of the bay as quiet, secluded unspoilt. Reno looked around and uttered the words ‘Death valley, where are all the people, how do they survive in a place like this?” We decided to row ashore as there was a taverna there, that we hadn’t visited last time due to high winds. What followed, is why I love Greece and will love it for ever. We approached the taverna, which was shut, no sooner had we tied up the dinghy than the lights went on and we were greeted and given menus. The taverna opened (for us, who knows, some other people arrived a couple of hours later) but we were treated to a feast, I plumped for calamari (if you fry it, I’ll eat it). Usually when I’ve had this, it comes in small easy to manage pieces, not this time. I was presented with the whole kit and caboodle, scary to look at but scrumptious to eat!! We ate heartily then returned to Stella, to find wind had dropped to about 15kts!! Night-cap and bed, another fab day shipmates. The Rippa’s work on a slightly different clock to the crew of Stella Maris. We awoke to find the Reenmeister (he’s keen) out in the dinghy retrieving the second anchor, no sooner had he done that, than he was under Stella cleaning our log (speedo paddle under the boat to those not in the know). All this in 15-20 kts of wind, we’d need at least two coffees first (and I’m not talking Nescafe!!). Anchor retrieval and log cleaning badge earnt with distinction and all before 10.00am!! Anchor up and we were off next stop Plomarion (38 58’ 39N 26 22’ 26E). Friends Ian & Mandy (Moli) had given us two accounts of stays here. First, lovely really nice place. Second, boat a rocking and a rolling, couldn’t get back on boat, had to check into hotel. Sounds like just the place for us. A very gusty sail there. We had 3 reefs in the main and about 30% Genoa, and it was still getting blooming tippy. It was a short journey so we were able to play around a bit (sailing term for getting tippy). After the fun and frolicks we moored up in Plomarion and Debs and myself went off to see the Port Police (very nice he was to). After a nice meal out, we returned to Stella who was a rocking and a rolling. Debs woke in the night feeling a bit hot, so decided to sleep in the saloon, she nearly rolled off the seat because of the rocking. All hands on deck the next day as we prepared to leave the harbour, all went smoothly and we bade farewell to Plomarion, nice place, but very rocky and rolly. Right shipmates you look in need of a cup of tea, off you go and get yourself one. I’ll still be here when you get back, got to finish off the story of the Rippa’s visit. Love & tippiness Captain M & the reef fanatic XX
Monday, 23 July 2007