Pinned down in Paros

Super Paradise beach

My first (and last) night out on the town in Mykonos was not the best preparation for a journey back to UK. It consisted of an 0400 return to the boat and a subsequent party onboard that went on until after daybreak. Fortunately the flight was not due to take off until 1410; hence, I was able to grab a couple of hours sleep before packing and heading off to the airport leaving Steve to look after the boat.

The journey back to UK went almost without hitch, but for two hours of delay in both directions; outward due to the crosswinds on the runway putting the Easyjet A319 out of limits for take-off and the return because the striking Greek air traffic controllers would not give clearance for take-off. Notwithstanding this all was well with Kurukulla when I eventually did get back and Daniel's graduation ceremony was definitely worth returning for; a great day.

Mykonos Marina on departure

With Mike Owens and Peter Van der Veken having joined in my absence we were now up to four onboard. A pair of hours after my return we moved berth to get water from the only berths connected in the part finished marina and then motored off on a windy, lumpy transit back to Super Paradise anchorage. Motoring to put some power back in the batteries; Mykonos marina does not stretch to electrical supplies!

Departing Elia

Steve, Peter, Self and Mike dining ashore in Naousa, Paros

We were to stay here for 24 hours because of the Meltemi making it too rough to be pleasant even for a passage downwind. After we motored to Paradise and then Elia just for a change of scenery and to charge the batteries again. At the start of the second day in Elia we decided to make a dash for Paros and sailed the 20 miles downwind, in 2 hours 30 mins, to Naousa; anchoring in the bay at Ormos Ay Ioannou where the shelter was good and the holding excellent. Next day we motored into Naousa Marina to replenish victuals and water, plus plug in to give the batteries a full charge. The entry and berthing were a bit hairy but all achieved without mishap. The only downside was that the berth was subject to a continual surge and the noise from the berthing warps was horrendous, enough to keep all awake all night (well almost). That evening we dined ashore and then, next morning, re-victualled, gas replenished and batteries fully charged we returned to the peace of the anchorage.

Near the anchorage is a small boatyard which the delay has given me the chance to explore; I discovered that they are offering winter storage for 50% of the price I am currently paying, guess where I might be wintering 2012 – 2013?

The anchorage at Ormos Ay Ioannou, Kurukulla in distance.

Ak Korakas, Paros and the reason we are pinned down.

So... here we are, two days later, still waiting for the wind to subside; something it is forecast to do tomorrow, Sunday. The Meltemi is supposed to be a thing of history by the end of September but it seems that this year it was almost a month late arriving and is staying a month longer than usual! Just our luck to get pinned down; but there are worse places!