Adventures of Thésée: Cyclades

Cyclades - Kyklades

Tuesday 3rd May....

Linda - The anchorage last night was perfect. We were wary of going to bed but were so tired. I remember thinking, I’ll just go to bed and rest. Next thing, it’s morning.

Well another day dawned and time to get on the move again. This time it was 25 miles south to an island called Nisos Serifos. (Nisos means Island). The sea had calmed down a lot since yesterday, and we tried to sail downwind in 12 knots, but the sea was still too rolly poly. About half way, we’d had enough and put the sails away, motoring the rest of the way.

The anchorage we are in is called ‘Kalo Ambeli’. It’s on the south side of Serifos, just one bay away from the main town. The anchor’s in sand at 6 metres depth, beautiful blue water, and we’re the only boat here. It seems very remote, just a small nice sandy beach and a few houses dotted around the hillsides.

As we arrived quite early, Dean had time to do his monthly maintenance checks and polish is miner’s lamp. I wonder if he made a wish?

We were sitting in the cockpit chilling this afternoon, it’s not been a very warm day today. Anyway, a Boston Whaler boat came around the headland about 4pm and started heading towards us with his blue light flashing. It was the Hellenic Coastguard (aka Port Police).We thought he was going to tell us that we couldn’t anchor here and would have to move, or at least ask to see our papers. When he pulled up next to us, he asked where we had come from, and were we alright? Satisfied with our answers, he wished us an enjoyable stay and off he went, checking along the coastline as he went. It’s kind of reassuring to know that they know you are here.

The blog will be published a day late, because downside of this remote anchorage is no internet service.

Morning in the anchorage on Kythnos

You can see we were well protected from the sea

Fast ferry passing us as we near the next island, Serifos

New anchorage on Serifos

Dean's shiny lamp

Wednesday 4th May...

Linda - Our Big Adventure Anniversary. Four years ago today we crossed the channel from England to France. Today we are on a new Greek island called Sifnos, in a gorgeously cute bay called Vathy. Don't get me wrong, it was a 3 hour trek to get here, but not as bad as the last two days journeys. So apparantly we are now in the Middle Cyclades.

Vathy, Nisos Sifnos

Couple more boats here

Dean goes off to check the anchor...

....with his glass bottom bucket

Rowing ashore late afternoon

We could be in the Caribbean

...only they have funny writing here

That's more like it

We ate dinner here tonight on the beach

Beautiful traditional Cycladic Church

Thesee at anchor, view from the restaurant

Waiting for food as the sun goes down

.... and wine too

Yammas!

Thursday 5th May...

Linda - On the move again for the fourth day running. We left our lovely little anchorage, but not after making friends with another Oceanis 50 in the bay. Today's trip turned out to be an unexpected 40 miles or so. We were heading east and the sailing was good, so we passed Plan A anchorage on Anti Paros, then Plan B anchorage on Paros, and ended up at Plan C anchorage on the southern end of Naxos. In a small bay called Kalantos.

Cute Church en-route

As we passed from Paros to Naxos the wind picked up a fair bit, funneling down from the north between the islands. Of course, there was also a ferry to contend with. They always seem to be aiming straight at us. This one travelling to Ios went in front by about half a mile.

It was quite gusty towards the end of the journey around the southern tip of Naxos. Once again Dean showed his seamanship skills and we arrived in the anchorage without incident. On approach to the bay the land was full of fields. Very unusual to see this. It's a bit rolly here but not too bad. Not sure whether we shall move on tomorrow or not.

Friday 6th May...

Linda - Decision made to stay here in the anchorage for a second day. This meant we could have a little walk about, so lots of photos. The small harbour is one of the best we've seen, there is even rubber padding on the harbour wall to protect boats. The walk was lovely, around the beach and onto the headland. This afternoon I did a jigsaw in record time, 4 hours. Dean read his book and fiddled about a bit. Nice to have a relaxing day.

A note to Thesee Followers... The Vessel Finder website doesn't seem to be tracking us very well. You might have better luck following our position on the Marine Traffic website. Here's the link... i hope

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/shipid:4531832/zoom:16