Ionian Regatta
 
We had a good sail over to Sivota, where the regatta was due to finish. On the approach all we could see was a sea of sails. We motored on it to get our spot ready to see the chaos begin as the boats came into the harbour. After some debate and a few failed attempts, not helped by people in canoe (you know who you are) getting in the way when we were trying to reverse. Stella Maris was rather neatly moored up outside a small taverna on the quay. Time to sit back and watch the fun. They started to come in thick and fast, a small boat came alongside us, they like us were mere spectators. Next came the Dutch a really jolly bunch of fellows, gave us some big lumps of cheese, very nice it was to. They apparently came second in the Regatta last year which they themselves said was flukey. Unfortunately they did not do as well this year, didn’t seem to dampen their spirits. If there was a space a boat would try and get in, there were a line of boats stern to, then other boats would come in bows to. It really was quite chaotic, but in a nice friendly kind of way. In the evening we had a meal and then went to watch a band that was playing. The next morning we decided to wait until quite a few of the boats had left before trying to make our exit. Captain Miles once again let the dinghy down and stowed it away. We were heading back South to Sami (Kefalonia). Linda was on the helm (well you’ve got to get them working), once again there were some black clouds, a few drops of rain and a smattering of gusts as we approached Sami. We decided to moor up along side rather than our usual stern to, it all got a bit chaotic and the long and the short of it is we (well I say we, I) managed to scrape little old Stella Maris on the quay, it’s only a lickle ickle scratch, but it was a bit of a downer. Stella was quite good about it and I think she has forgiven me. Crew of Stella Maris XXXX
Thursday, 21 September 2006