Question ‘Is it a good idea to follow Italians?’
 
ANSWER: Yes but you might want to leave a tad earlier! Our dilemma was whether to go to Psara which was about 60 miles across the aggressive Aegean or do a bigger hop and try and make it down to Khios in one go. The Khios option would probably involve going through the night and we knew that going along the bottom of Skyros was going to be interesting as there are and I quote ‘violent gusts’ off the land emphasis on ‘violent’. Once past these you only have the big sea and wind to worry about!! We were waiting for a weather/wind window and were going to bite the bullet and go straight to Khios. The Italians that were alongside us were going to Psara the next day. The next morning the wind had dropped the Brits had gone, the Turkish lady was leaving and the Italians were off. Our plan at 8.00am was to move to an anchorage and leave from there that night/early hours. Our plan 08.30am we would go to Psara with the Italians. They got quite excited about this and before we knew where we were the gauntlet had been dropped and the race was on. Moments outside the harbour they had their sails up (no roller reefing Genoa, so it’s all or nothing, they appeared to favour the ALL!). Up went our main (1 reef in). They took the inside gap, we took the outside. As we went along the bottom of Skyros there was very little wind, full Genoa out. We approached Tris Boukes bay (renowned for violent gusts). Things were getting feisty, all I will say on the matter is ‘too much sail up!!’ After a bit of shouting, some downwind sailing and gritting of teeth the situation was rectified. Genoa in, 2nd reef in main. We got to the end of the island and things got feistier (not sure if that’s a word, but I think your getting the picture) we were a bit concerned as it was only about 10.00am and the wind generally builds. The waves were bigguns and they were on the beam. Time for that 3rd reef! We could see the Italians in the distance, they a bit like us were all over the place. We sailed the whole way and the wind stayed pretty constant between 25-30kts and if it hadn’t been for the 2m swell it would have been a pleasant sail. We gained a bit on the Italians when the winds dropped but they would loose us when the wind was strong. We arrived in Psara before dark to 30kt gusts (wind turbines are always a good clue). The Italians took our lines and we went alongside. All concerned were ‘cream crackered!’ The next morning we said our Good-byes and headed off to an anchorage on Khios that was about 25 miles away. We motored all the way!! Next stop an anchorage in Turkey that we had been to before it was about 30 miles away. Motored all the way again!! The prevailing North wind appeared to be on holiday and had been replaced with a Southerly wind less than ideal when your heading Southish. We knew there was going to be a slight Southerly wind that night and the anchorage didn’t offer great protection for this, but we thought if it becomes uncomfortable we’d just leave and head straight for Kusadasi. So that’s what we did at 2.00am there was no wind but a swell was creeping into the bay straight up Stella’s bot and she was slapping up and down. We upped anchor and set off under the light of a full moon. It all felt very James Bondish as we cut through the smooth waves to the sounds of Neil Diamond!! We arrived in Kusadasi at about 11.00am and have been enjoying the many delights that marina’s offer - water, electric, laundry and of course there’s the pool! Isn’t it nice when you know how the story or should I say chapter ends! The Aegean Question: Did we bite off more than we could chew? Answer : No, but it made us gag a bit at times! Love & adventures Team Stella XXX
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
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