Sailing with Moondance : October 2017

We finally escaped the marina and headed across to the mainland. A place called Pagania. Navigating past the fish farms we entered a small secure, peaceful and beautiful bay - all to ourselves. Bliss just to recharge our body batteries and enjoy the solitude. For 2 days we listened to goat bells, watched the goats, white and grey herons, fish jumping and turtles occasionally raising their heads above water.

Continuing around the coast we anchored off a small bay. Raewyn was confined to the yacht, I swam to check the anchor and went ashore where there was a shower on the beach fed by an alkathene pipe that had plenty of access to the sun. A warm shower on a secluded beach. Again a very pleasant experience.

The weather forecast was for high winds (greater than 20 knots) - we are becoming far too soft, so we headed back for the shelter of Komenno just outside the marina. We did get 2 days of wind and a small electrical storm which arrived at 2.30am. No wind in the storm and it was far from us so no worries. A large motor sailer next to us dragged. I got no response on the radio and they were not in danger, so took no further action. Next day they re anchored - far too close to us, and dragged again but ended up further away so no problems.

Leaving Komenno we headed once again for the mainland and ended up in Igoumenitsa (Egg n a mixer) creek. Similar to Pagania but this time we had another yacht all ready there. Once again it was a safe anchorage and we enjoyed just relaxing and getting a bit more winterising preparations done.

Following that and having settled weather I thought it about time to make Raewyn face her fears of town quays, and get her leg some exercise. We anchored in Plataria. (I left "Checkmate" there for 6 months in 2006). Plataria had not changed much. We met up with Tjies and Sarah - Dutch/French from yacht Halcyon Days. They were the "other yacht" in the creek. Had a good time swapping stories and a meal out with them. Our first meal ashore for a while.

Next was the 5 mile motor to Mourtos. we are still here, with electricity and water.
Mourtos is a delightful town and we have sailed past on many occasions. It is great just to be here, enjoy the ambience, and have an Italian pizza meal last night. So good we will walk around the area and in to the village today. Pasta is on the menu tonight. Yum.