After an amazing week celebrating Katy and Irvin's wedding in Provence, and then the birth of Reuben to Harry and Eimile the next day, we came out to the boat at the beginning of June.
Skipper back onboard with cold Mythos in hand.
It looks as though we are parked in a residential street but actually just on the edge of the boatyard.
Steve and Sally flew out to join us the next day.
We were launched from the boatyard at 06.45 and set off across to Eretria on Evia.
After spending the rest of the day in Eretria stocking up with provisions, a bit of holiday shopping and something to eat, we left there the next day and went south along the coast of Evia.
Purely coincidental that they both wore the same teeshirt!
Perhaps Old Guys Rule Ancient Mariner should become the uniform!
Anchored in the beautiful Voufalo bay for the night with dramatic sunset over the mainland.
Another early start and this time a wonderful sunrise as we left the bay.
We are conscious that our route across the Cyclades to Leros in the Dodecanese will take us through the strong winds of the meltemi so moving on and moving early.
Next stop was in Karistos on the south coast of Evia where we had a lovely afternoon on the beach and a refreshing swim in the sea.
Great concentration - we started Steve off on Duolingo French and he very soon shot to the top of his league.
After a couple of days in port while some bad weather went through, we left Karistos and the island of Evia.
We sailed south past the islands of Andros, Tinos, Gyaros and Syros and anchored in the South Bay of Rhinia. Just caught the edge of the rainbow.
Another early start saw us leaving the bay at 06.30.
Now heading east, past the ancient island of Delos that featured in the blog in June 2015
Past Mykonos, again in the 2015 blog, but we hear very different now and had no inclination to stop off there.
Waterproofs needed, not because it was raining but because waves broke and sprayed over the boat.
On past the rocky island of Khitapodhia - strange to have the two distinct colours of rock here.
As you can see from the skies here, it wasn't a very pleasant crossing. We had winds up to 40.3 knots, swelly seas and it took us eight hours. We were very pleased to get into the tiny port of Magganiti on the south coast of Ikaria.
We were the only boat in there for most of the time. It looks calm here but there were winds and swell and we were surging backwards and forwards on the quay even with spring lines on. Dave and Steve had to attach extra wood to the plank protecting the fenders as the movement on the wall was wearing through the wood.
Strange rock formations across the bay.
A very pleasant time in the taverna at the end of the bay. This became Steve and Sally's favourite spot as we were here for several days and there really wasn't anything else in the village. Our extended stop was partly due to the weather and partly to let Dave recover from being very ill having passed out in the bathroom (blocking both doors so we couldn't get to him) and then a temperature of 39.4.
We finally left Ikaria with Steve as skipper and Dave resting below and sailed south to Patmos island. We had an overnight stop on the main quay here to restock with food, drinks, water etc. (Sorry I forgot to take a photo until we were leaving)
A pleasant meal at the Leros marina restaurant - not the usual Greek taverna we are used to but nice.
The waitress insisted we smelt it and when we asked what it was she said oh no you don't drink it! We had no intention of doing so but maybe they should have made that clear!
Steve and Sally left the next day to spend a few days in a hotel on Kos before flying home.
Dave and I went back to the restaurant for lunch and ordered toasted sandwiches - quite a plateful but very good - mine was chicken with bacon marmalade.
From the restaurant looking across the boatyard, across the marina to the town of Lakki.
We then moved across the bay to Lakki marina as we have 30 free days here included in our annual contract with the boatyard in the north.
This is the view from Poppy's cafe looking back to the marina where we have just come from.
The bikes are out!
This is the first time we have used them for several years and yet all we needed to do was pump up the tyres.
Our first cycle ride along the coast - not far as Dave is still recovering - took us to this beach bar for a drink and a swim.
Lovely views on the way back.
The next day a bit further on to a taverna for lunch.
We seem to have a new friend join us!
The view back into Lakki bay.
Beautiful oleanders in Lakki town.
Not so beautiful sea urchins!
The two at the bottom are the usual size spikes - bad enough if you happen to stand on one - but these were huge!
From Lakki marina we headed north up the coast of Leros, again windier than expected at first but arrived in a very tranquil bay on the island of Arkhangelos for a lunch stop.
A very short trip across to the north coast of Leros and we saw about five dolphins including this one doing his massive leap.
We have seen dolphins a few times on this trip but not for long and never long enough to get the camera until now.
On the north coast of Leros this is the airport runway!
Our boatyard is on the left of the picture.
We are now sitting on a mooring buoy outside the boatyard ready to be lifted by that blue travel lift tomorrow morning.
We will then get the ferry to Kos, spend two nights in a hotel there before flying home.
