Ormos Plati Yialos, Nisos Sifnos 36:55.72N 24:43.77E

We pulled hook out this morning with intention heading east towards Nisos Antiparos, where we'd picked out bit of a bay we fancy about 20NM away with light southerly wind to get us there. It soon became obvious we were only going to do it on the donk. So, instead, we opted to pop in here, Ormos Plati Yialos, doing a whole 5NM passage. So we're just little way further round coast Nisos Sifnos. We're only yacht on hook and we have just enough protection from the forecast SW'ly overnight wind. Sue watched today's Royal Wedding on her Kindle and I watched FA Cup final on my phone. Our PAYG SIM has today taken bit of a nock so will need topping-up sooner than expected.

Happy Birthday Freya xxx

Ormos Vathi - Nisos Sifnos 36:55.86N 24:41.40E

We departed Serifos at noon today after relocating sterns-to the harbour wall for one night. This was because we were beginning to feel bit exposed on lee shore after the wind changed to a southerly and didn't fancy becoming permanent feature on their beach. When tied to the harbour wall it was easy to get ashore with our bikes and meant having the wind up our stern. It turned out to be good move because the wind really did howl for couple hours during dark without either of us feeling need to make checks.

Todays wind promised steady 20NM sail. We started with reefs in jib & mainsl. In open water we shook the reefs out for a decent enough sail. As the wind lightened we stowed the jib and set our vastly bigger genoa. 5NM short we ran out of wind completely, stowed sails and proceeded in on donk. 3 hours not bad. 

Vathi is a delightful bay. It's only open SW to SE and that's where we presently have light winds and bit of swell from, so we're moving little more than we like. Be completely settled in couple of days, settled enough for spot of rain maybe?

Eating on board tonight. Greek sausage - one of Sue's speciality of the yacht with freshly baked Serifos dark bread....... hummie!

Ormos Livadhi, Nisos Serifos 37:08.71N 24:31.18E

Seeing we were gonna be blessed with a decent northerly wind today, we were ready for our little 25NM passage, heading mostly south from NE Kithnos towards Livadhi, SE Nisos Serifos. The indicated N F5-6 became 38kn at times accompanied with 4-5m beamy seas between the islands. We're now on hook and as you can see Sue has big smile and is very happy with the experience (and me). Just can't do enough for a good woman and me!

We expect these high winds to reduce overnight so that we can get our RIB in the water, visit a local hostilary or two and replenish food stuff. Last time we were here high winds blew for 3 days and we never got off the yacht so our expectations this time are high.

xxx

Ormos Fikiadha, Nisos Kithnos 37:24.9N 24:22.9E

Dropped hook Ormos Fikiadha couple days ago. It's a beautiful setting, having a sand isthmus separating two bays. We chose the east bay to avoid wash from passing ships. Our first night was Tuesday. Very quiet. No charter boats. From then on the bay has been visited by a selection of brainless charter missile skippers who seem to have little idea abour anchoring safely. Yesterday we waited until just before dark before relocating Ticketeeboo well away from these idiots, putting us nice and safe for us to sleep settled.

Today the bay almost cleared, save for couple other owner-yachts and ourselves. By late afternoon the bay filled again. Same routine except this time most of the troublesome charterers have 'plonked' their hooks well away. There's certainly an increasing number of ugly charter-catamarans in these waters. We hope they become scarcer as we put more NM between ourselves and Lavrion/Athens.

We've been catching-up on some jobs. Each of the last 3 days, a little bit gelcoat polishing! Ticketeeboo begining to look the part with sparkling white cockpit and aft deck gelcoat. Might continue with cabtop and for'd deck tomorrow if it takes our fancy?

Good swim this morning to check location of our anchor and chain. Neighbouring s/y Puppy thought we might be over their chain. We ain't and we're well away so we are all happy. Sue did a wash and it's clean bedding tonight (again). 

Ormos Vourkari - Nisos Kea 37:40.0N 24:19.6E

​Being anchored off the quayside is much safer than getting mixed-up with charter boat missiles trying to berth sterns-to on the town quay. It is entertaining to watch though.

We enjoyed lovely few days. Went ashore on Sunday to watch the match. Went to each taverna and coffee bar enquiring if they had football on TV. It turned out they didn't even have TV so missed the match, which turned out was worth missing and enjoyed some of the best baby squid, pork and chips ever. Went for a poodle in RIB round the bay before sunset and just got settled back on Ticketeeboo when the heavens opened. Thunder and lightning and beaucoup de rain all night. Next day it took me several minutes to bale-out the RIB so that we could take bikes ashore for cycle over to Korissia and Ormos Livadhi as well round the bay. We were also going to get the bus up to the Kiea Chora/village. There was no bus (to early in the season) and the road proved too steep for Sue's little legs.

When we returned to Ticketeeboo a yacht called Nikitoo had dropped their hook close by. They kindly invited us on board for rum punches and a chat. We also ate ashore with them and ended-up 'crawling' into bed at 1 o'clock, smissed as parts. An excellent evening with Marianna & Hugh, there skipper, hostess and friends from Bulgaria. Lovely new Oyster 625 - much bigger that we!

Wednesday morning and we're heading south towards Nisos Kithnos.

xxx

Poulithra 37:07.0N 22:54.1E

We departed Porto Cheli this afternoon. Later than intended. Was going to head south and round the coast towards Ermioni and put hook in the seabed there and swing for 2 or 3 nights. Outside Porto Cheli and in open waters we discovered brisk windies on nose so rather than donk against it, we hoisted sails and headed west towards t'other side of Argolic Gulf. Now on hook outside small bay and village called Poulithra. As expected, we're the only vising yacht......... and it's lovely. Clear seawater so making water to get some nice non-tasting fresh water in our tanks. Shoreside freshwater here-abouts tasts salty, no-one drinks it without getting the shits. It's bottled water or 'make our own'. Porto Cheli is almost enclosed by land, having just one entrance, and the local seawater might have other peoples pooh in it.... amongst other things we don't fancy consuming?

We chose Porto Cheli so Sue could do some un-escorted shopping (Sue tells me off when I accompany her because I don't stick to her isles) and wanted to make sure we we're in front of the right TV for last nights Roma slaughter. Good game. Pity they didn't all go to dressing rooms when Salah came off? Makes away leg more interesting and gives Roma more reason to attack us?

Weather is being very kind. Warm (24-26°C in afternoons) and cool enough to sleep in comfort under douvet. Sunshine and clear skies. We is two lucky folk and appreciate what we'ze getting.

Porto Cheli 37:19.6N 23:08.6E

Porto Cheli. Moored sterns-to on town quay in plenty good time to watch tomorrow nights football on biggest screen we can find here. 

My job for today was to add new vinyl 'Ticketeeboo' lettering and CA burgee on each side of boom and replace old 'Ticketeeboo & Southampton' lettering on transom. Finishing-off with some unexpected polishing to let new lettering blend in.