7.2 Knotts with just the main!!!
 
As you have probably guessed today was full of high winds and gusts. We set off from Platarias to go to Lakka a really nice little bay on the island of Paxos, everyone we have met says how wonderful it is. The weather was the same as usual not much wind blah blah blah. Then we find ourselves in the middle of a huge big sea that must have been a force 5. The waves were about 10 feet high, now I know I am prone to exaggeration, but I’m not exaggerating am I Miles? He said ‘No she’s not’. Water was coming over the boat and we were crossing the waves which made for a very uncomfortable ride. We were tipping over sooooo much we took down the Genoa and just went with the main, and were reaching speeds of 7.2 knotts. The only good thing was that we got to Lakka in record if somewhat scarey time. Miles now says we should have reefed the main!! On approach to Lakka we then had to try and take down the main (well Miles did) sailing into wind meant crashing into the monster waves head on, I had to remind myself to breathe in between shouting at Miles not to fall in. He managed to get the sail down then we came thundering into the tranquil bay that is Lakka, it was quite busy but we found a spot and dropped our anchor. We left the engine running for a while just to make sure we didn’t move, the bay got busier and busier there are wall to wall boats at anchor. We witnessed a few incidents the Italians who were nicely anchored only to have there anchor pulled up by some fellow countrymen. The Germans who were a little close to us for my liking, they dragged their anchor once and then went off and left their boat! I am sat in the cockpit in darkness surrounded by boats some with lights on some without. We haven’t moved yet and fingers crossed we won’t. The wind still hasn’t died down so we are a bit on tender hooks. There is an eerie sense of calm about the place, the thing is if we move now the first we’ll know about it is if we hit someone else!! Speak to you soon Love and anchor chains Karen & Miles XXX
Sunday, 6 August 2006