lørdag 30. april 2016

Good morning Samos!

Pithagorion. Anchoured inside the outer breakwater. We sailed south from Lesvos with two nice stops for sleep during the nights. And after a last leg of 62 nautical miles we motored in to the harbour here and met our dear friends from Aries. Later the swedish couple on S/V Kerpa sailed in. They are  circumnavigating in their Amel 54 and like us wintered in Finekie. Its good to see known faces and I think we all enjoyed the little celebration of meeting up. Its orthodox easter so ashore there has been big activity.

Now I am lying in the forepeak listening to the anchour rope tightening and freeing up. The solid anchour chain being draged across the bottom, over sand and stones. The sound transfered in to the boat like a home made string telephone. Most likely we will move in to the town key as the forecast is more wind and rain. But right now the tranquility of anchouring rests over La Familia.

Take care!

søndag 24. april 2016

What a day.

Learning by doing. A weathetforecast is a forecast. It does not dictate what winds and seas we encounter. Local land masses and mountain formations play a big part in what we actually sail in. How we make our desisions can some times complicate matters too.

Our departure had finess in the strong on shore wind. Berthing longside is not our preferert way but one forgets. Any way, we narrowly made it out as our boat neighbours scrambled on deck in their pyjamas.

At sea we set sail. How much we put up depends on the winds and what we expect the weather to bee. If the winds drops we put up more to keep up boat speed. And so we did this time too. Only this time the wind picked up. Quite alot too. We always try to reef or reduce sail before the wind is exceedingly forceful. This time we were late.

Also, sailing in one of the areas with the most amount of refugees the sea was crowded with huge NATO ships and several vessels from the turkish coastguard. It was them and us and this wind. The sea built up and we both thought of our earlier passage up the Gulf of Suez. We needed to reef. And after a dramatic wressel with the ropes and sails we sailed on towards Lesvos. It was a day of learning and pleasure. 

Here in Lesvos we have been relaxing and looking for playgrounds for the kids. We also visited one of the refugee camps and gave away clothes and toys. In the parks we have played fotball with young syrians 16 and 17 years old. Some of them on along journey on their own. Big contrasts for us and we feel very fortunate and happy to bee here as a family.

Take care every one!

tirsdag 19. april 2016

Nisos Oinoussa.

From Fournoi to Emborios on the Island of Khios to Nisos Oinoussa we have sailed. Tomorrow we sail for Lesvos. We have taken advantage of some southerlies and made good distance north in the Eastern Sporades. The wind is usually from the north so our planned trip south to Samos should be ok. Everyone is setteling in well in these sailing days. Even the crab which Edvard caught and kept as a pet seemed to enjoy himself. Though it escaped during the night but was later found hiding under a bucket. It then pinched Edvard in the finger til tears. They later made friends again. Until he (the crab) was thrown overboard here in Oinoussa. All for the sake of getting the boat ready for the fairly long passage tomorrow with forcasted winds of up to 27 knots. Being southerlies we should have them aft of the beam on the starbord quarter. Should be good sailing!

fredag 15. april 2016

Few updates = more Islands.

Hello every one! After Nissiros we sailed to Levitha. A desent sized Island with only two inhabitants. Their taverna was closed. The place was calm. And we like calm once in a while.

After this we sailed to Leros and the partialy enclosed bay in Lakki. Janna went home to open the exebition in memory of her mother. It was a succes and so were the days I spent with the kids in Leros. Long days but rewarding.

We then sailed on to N Archangelos and a beatiful anchourage. The bathing begun!

We are now moored to a bouy in a bay just south of Patmos Scala (Aparantly David Bowies favorite Island). With the dingy we explored a nearby Island and climbed the small peak. Its very idylic and it feels like a new season is just to begin. Maybe summer is right round the corner.

Love to all!

fredag 1. april 2016

Volcanic activity in Nissyros.

Last day with the Danes today. We spent it exploring the Islands volcano. There have been several eruptions here and also earthquakes. Today we saw steam, smoke and boiling mud. The smell of sulphour made for many funny jokes! The Island is small and green with many of the slopes terraced for growing fruit trees.

Last day with the Danes on S/V Munin. The will head west towards San Torini and we will head north west to Levitha. Edvard spent all evening there. Having dinner and watching friday film. All boats develop different tradisjons and when we come across one we like we adopt it! Midway cookies and friday films we got from our friends on Munin.