ALMATRAVELS

ALMA has had a short but eventful early summer cruise - much curtailed by engine repair problems which delayed the launch by almost a week, then necessitated a return to the yard 2 days later to get the alternator and also the hot water piping refitted (we’d left initially with no alternator charge and no hot water!) and then finally, a few days later we had to find a safe harbour in a thunderstorm with the engine dying due to a tiny crack in the fuel filter allowing air to get sucked into the system. (we think that the yard, in their haste to get the boat ready after all the delays, had simply overtightened the fuel line causing the inlet to crack). Getting into harbour with the engine almost dead was a little tense - we’d asked the marina for assistance and we were delighted to see the marineros coming out to meet us in their rib as we approached (we had just got around the cruise liner dock as a ship was pulling out - just to add to the tension) but rather than take us in tow, alarmingly they simply waved us to follow them in - fortunately they did at the very last moment get a line onto our stern as the engine finally died and just before we got into a berth! We had a few days relaxing after that while a new filter was ordered and fitted. We then continued our anti clockwise circuit of the eastern Aegean - a wonderful area with many quiet, generally unspoilt islands and normally with good to strong winds - from Kos on our outward journey (350M) we visited Leros, Lipsi, Agathonisi, Samos, Chios, Skyros, Skantzoura, Skopelos (for an engine service - no sign of Mama Mia unfortunately) and Skiathos where Andy, Doug and David T were arriving to join us for the sail back. Most of these islands were very quiet and unspoilt - in some we were the only boat. From Skiathos, with a full crew and as Michelle was in Santorini with a friend Suzanne on holiday and as the forecast suggested we’d have good winds, we decided to head to Santorini to see them for dinner. We stopped for a night in Skyros but then non stop to Santorini approx 200M. What a sail we had - the wind when we started was very light and we thought we’d have to motor or wait another day until stronger wind arrived but the wind eventually kicked in and built gradually throughout the day and night to a steady force 7 - so we had a real romp - not what we’d usually be hoping for but (judging by their smiles) I think it was just what Andy, Doug and David were looking for! We had a great time sightseeing on Santorini (a stunningly spectacular island) and spending time with Suzanne and Michelle. Then back to the yard via Astaphalia, wonderfully unspoilt Levitha, and Leros. Part 1 of our summer cruise over but we look forward to getting back in September/October to this fabulous sailing area and re-visiting some of our favourite places. Best wishes Helen and Iain(Mingus)