Malua
An Adams cruising yacht
I the headed off to Sinos as I worked my way north. On route
the
engine compartment blower fan stopped working so I had to find a
replacement. I anchored in the town harbour just in front of the many
waterside restaurants. The ferry make quite a swell as they turn to go
stern to against the quay. My gangplank got caught under the dock and
the ends crushed as Malua surged back on its anchor. Not a great sight
but better than fibreglass against concrete. Having the bicycles on
board is a great help in covering a lot of ground in search of a spare
part. 
I
found a chandler and did not expect them to have a fan but
could you believe it the very same fan at a much better price and in
Oz. Such a pleasure to fit it. So now I have the hum of the blower as
we motor along keeping the engine room cool or more importantly the
alternator cool to give out the required amps. That evening for the
second time the two yachts with the Swedish family celebrating the
fathers birthday came stern too along side again. They were having
great fun from the old couple right to a young baby in arms. The
British vessel I had met at Serifos can in and invited me to drinks and
dinner. Great night but their outlook for the British economy is not
good with their prediction of asset values only 40 % of their highs of
a few years ago and the pound to go through the floor.
I packed up, untied the lines and was heading out of the
harbour
when from across the water came this holla of Harry, Harry. Who was
calling me? As I turned to this distant figure on the dock he took his
cap off and I instantly recognised my great Italian friend Francesco
and Paula who I had last seen in the Halkadiki. 
They
had just come onto
the island and had moored in the marina away from the swell and were
walking to the town to get some provisions. We arranged to meet in
Mykinos in a few days time. I continues to Delos to see the ruins and
the famous lions ( stone that is and not the originals. I anchored
under the sign that said no anchoring and took the RIB ashore to walk
around the ruins just as the last of the mornings tour group as leaving
and an hour before the afternoon group arrived. 16 guided groups from
an American cruise liner. Thank goodness I am not rich and have to
follow the group.
I set off for Mykinos to look at the old harbour. I had to
weave my
way around the three cruise liners and two large sailing ships anchored
in the bay. I put my nose in the new harbour which like many Greek
marinas is not finished to again hear a bellow of Harry from the dock
side. Francisco had arrived and was moored along side. 
I
came in
against the dock and they rafted up on the outside. They had two New
Zealand guest on board their small boat so my vessel was used a shower
room, beauty parlour and dining room. Francesco prepared a great pasta
which we enjoyed after passing the pots from one vessel to the next.
The following day they set off for Delos while I sailed to the bay
Ornos south of the Mykinos town. Again the bicycles came in handy but I
took the high road up over the mountain rather than the coastal route
to get to Mykinos. Was it hot and a long slog only followed by a short
sharp down hill flight to cool off.. This evening we had skate pasta on
Francisco's boat with no passing the pots from vessel to vessel. I also
saved tome water.
The next day was a day sail to Paradise Beach to see the beautiful people who had obviously not arrived for the summer. Well rather that than the previous visit which was an eye opener. Now off to Tinos and the route north but I fear the wind is coming out of the north and I will have to battle a head wind or wait a few days.
I arrived at Tinos and was greeted by a very friendly harbour master who placed me at the end of the wharf with my stern to and into the prevailing wind. The forecast for strong wind was still in force and during the night the wind came through. It started at 25 knots then rose during the day. I put extra lines to the dock but was not happy with the holding of my main anchor. The dust was blowing off the dock right over Malua and out into the harbour. That evening I put the ?? anchor, the 20mm polypropaline warp into the RIB and led it out from the bow 70m out into the harbour. Back on deck I pulled it taught with the windlass and was able to move the stern off the dock, not that was needed because the wind was driving Malua away from the dock but it was good to know that if the wind changed direction the second anchor would hold us off the dock.
That evening the wind rose to to more than 40 knots.
Some gusts touched 50. It was a howling storm. 
The
other boats were all up most of the night tending to their lines and
fenders. Luckily I had no problems either with the lines or being blown
up against the dock. The wind dropped the next day and people
rearranged their location. Only the very large ferries were
travelling between islands. I stayed put for five days while the wind
blew a storm. On the sixth day I decided that it was time to
leave despite the wind still in the 15 to 20 knot range. It
took
almost an hour to retrieve the second anchor, undo the extra lines and
pull up the anchor. At last I was off westward towards
Athens. Out side the harbour the wind was still up but the
sea
had calmed so I turned Malua bow down wind and headed for Kythnos
passing north of Sifnos. My chosen harbour was Loutra but as
I
approached it was obvious that it was on a lee shore and there would be
no shelter in the prevailing conditions. Plan B.
Sail
further south to a deep inlet on the island of Kythnos. I
dropped
the anchor in a lovely bay Ioannis 37 23.909N 24 28.162 E. I started to
clean the boat of all the dust that had come off the dock.
The
boat and my cloths were full of sand so I did I big wash using the
faithfull footmatic tub wash in the cockpit.
The next day I set off in a flat calm northwards with a few day to
spare before Denny arrived. I was heading to the island of
Kea to
a good protected bay. I was able to sail up the coast but had
to
motor the last few miles into an increasing strength wind. 
I
dropped the anchor opposite the town wharf of Vourkari. 37 40.026N 24
19.528E The holding is not good but after a few goes I got
the
pick in and it held with a good pull astern. The following
day
was Sunday and the yachts and power of Athens started to arrive and try
to find a place at the wharf. It is always funny to watch how
the
inexperienced skipper go astern especially if there is a cross
wind. In the end most of the vessel found a spot.
The
following day I was off to Athens, in fact Lavrion the port on the
eastern mainland shore near the international airport.
I arrived to find not a single spot to tie up to. Just then a yacht left and I quickly slipped into the spot.
Here are some photos Mykinos and Tinos