Serenity

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.