Friday 18th September.
Sailed from Kapsali, on S end of Nisos Kithera, arriving late afternoon at Khania (11 hours/50NM later) on Krite (Crete) where the Port Police were exceptionally helpful finding us a berth. Thank you to Wild Thyme for making the space available! Kithera is exceptionally busy with lots of taverners & bars and young judies in abundance. Spent the first couple of hours watching people watching us. (Like other yachties, something we are now well used to). We now recognise Kithera a a major holiday resort which appeals to families as well younger generations. Since we were plugged into shoreside electricity overnight we left our cabin fans running overnight so noise from local bars did not disturb either of us.
Saturday 19th September.
Slipped our mooring lines at Kithera and headed towards Panormos, 50'ish NM heading E. During the day the N'ly sea-swell increased (storms to our N) and when we took a look at Ormos Bali (as a possible anchorage) & Panormos (which was full of local boats) we decided to do an extra 20NM heading towards Ormos Mesarios, a suitably sheltered anchorage 6NM to the N of Iraklion. We arrived just after sunset, passed over a little island (according to our Navionics cartography although actually in 50m+ depths!) Spending the night on the hook in a beautifully deserted anchorage, surrounded by rocky hills and NO rolling about! Just before we arrived we watched our Log go past 3,000 NM so celebrated with a bottle of bubbly soon after arriving.
Sunday 20th September.
Good daysail, with rolly seas and NW winds up to 30 kts, for the next 40NM towards Nicholaos, where we have arranged to meet-up with friends Pam & Geoff, who have recently taken delivery of their new 'Dream' sailing yacht.