After a cracking 8 kts sail across from the island of Kithera, and another bout of diesel bug, we arrived in Chania.  The Venetian lighthouse, at the end of the harbour wall - our first stop on Crete.

Sunrise along the north coast of Crete watching flying fish darting away from the boat. Very serene at times but a good wind to sail at other times.

The moods and colours of Crete.  Amazing light and majestic mountains disappearing into the distance.

Stopped off in Heraklion - the capital of Crete where Steve left us to fly home to UK. It has been great having him along - so grateful for all his help and good company.
Ruins of ? probably a church, the rectangular ground works were tombs - a large area being excavated and preserved but typically no information as to what we are looking at.  Some time spent deliberating on what it could have been and imagining which bits were baths, tombs, fireplaces etc.

Rough seas crashing onto the Venetian harbour in Heraklion. Pleased to be in port but no space in the marina as all vacant berths  were reserved for boats taking part in the Cretan Union Cup. We had a rather uncomfortable few days moored on the quay outside the marina which caught a lot of swell. Added to that was the problem that the wall was very high so a very hazardous dash across the plank to get on and off the boat.

Lovely sail from Heraklion further along the north coast to the lagoon between the island of Spinalonga and the resort of Elounda.

Goosewinging down into the lagoon.

The island of Spinalonga - once owned by the Ottoman empire when 1112 people lived here. A considerable amount of original building to be seen. It was then taken over by Venetians who added to it. The whole island is fortified. From 1904 to 1957 the island was used as a leper colony and is featured in Victoria Hislop's book "The Island" . Having read the book it was quite surreal to actually be there. We anchored just off here and spent the morning wandering around the island.

Local residents of Elounda!

Serenity anchored off Spinalonga.

It's him again!!

The lovely resort of Elounda at the far end of the lagoon.

Ah - back on Spinalonga right at the top of the island - it is obvious where the prevailing wind comes from!

One of the main streets on Spinalonga.

Elounda

Kalamata to Crete

Leaving Kalamata for a 50 mile trip to Porto Kayio we were 15 miles out when the engine failed! Steve and Dave investigated and decided that it must be diesel bug. With very little wind we were expecting 15 hours drifting back to port. However,  Serenity was kind to us and the engine eventually started so we could motor back, willing her to keep going until we were moored up. Once in they changed filters and drew off fuel, strained it and returned it to the tank. This is the black slimy gunge that came out of the pipe. Hopefully all set to leave early tomorrow.

Left Kalamata at 5.00 am and motor sailed down the Peloponnese down to the point which apparently is the second most southerly point of mainland Europe after Gibraltar.

Arrived mid afternnon at Porto Kayio - an amazing little village tucked away on the east coast of the Peloponnese . Serenity is in the background moored alongside a plastic floating pontoon - hope it is stronger than it looks! A very sleepy place that really is the "back of beyond" but... they do have a bar with beer!

Once at the bar we decided to come back later for dinner so out goes this little boat and you can see our fish being brought in - it doesn't get much fresher than that! Probably the most expensive fish we have ever eaten but it was good and well cooked - none of us can remember what it was called but one fish was plenty for 3 of us.

Walking out to the end of the headland I came across this tiny church full of icons and well kept - obviously not a large congregation - there were only 4 chairs in there!

Another 5.00am start leaving Porto Kayio and heading for Kapsali on  the island of Kithera. Before the sun came up we practised recognising lights as it is a fairly busy shipping lane for commercial vessels. As the sun came up we watched dolphins that came close to the boat - never seem to have the camera handy for such moments!  

Arrived in Kapsali mid afternnon and moored alongside the quay - we were the only boat in there. Walked round the village and stopped off for ouzo and internet. It may look beautiful and sunny here but not long after this we had a terrific thunderstorm. Luckily we saw it coming and had chance to secure the boat. The storm didn't last long - looking on the forecast it seems like we caught the edge of some bad weather they are getting further north where we have come from.

This turtle was just swimming around the edge of the bay all the time we were there. She is about a metre across and swam round to check out the boat.

The view from our ouzo stop looking back to the boat on the quay. We were later joined by one other boat but that was all.

A very early start saw us leaving Kapsali at 4.00am - some interesting night navigation round various rocks at the entrance but soon out for a good sail across to Crete. Not far from Crete the wind died down so the engine went on .... for a while until diesel bug hit again! The sludge in the bottom of the tank had been stirred up and more gunge in the pipe. Luckily Steve and Dave we soon on the case and after a very short drift we were on our way again. This is Chania in the north west of Crete where we have spent several days. A lovely buzzy place - we are moored stern to on the quay.

A view of the Venetian lighthouse looking back towards the west end of the town.

An exhibition of silk products made on the Greek island of Evros

Beautiful jewellery made from silk worm coccons

Uh-oh the pirates are in town!! On the main quay in Zakynthos before a massive storm. This was our first stop after Sami on our way south.

Next stop was Katakolon where we were greeted by the chap in the marine office with a drink of drambuie in a plastic throwaway cup. This was a clipper ship in the harbour just arrived from Venice. 

From Katakolon to Pylos. This is a plane tree in Pylos square that is 130 years old 

Early morning sail

Sunrise on the islands outside Pylos

Round the south past Methoni. A beautiful sail  round the first leg of the Peloponnese

Calmer waters after a very rolly confused sea below Pylos 

Into Kalamata (where the black olives come from) to await Steve's arrival. He is flying back out to join us on the journey to Crete. Dave and I spent much of the day repairing the main sail - a neat bit of stitching!

Railway Park in Kalamata - no information or anything but about 8 old steam engines that children ( and adults) can climb on and look at.