Northward Island Hopping 30th May

A quickie to put a point on the map. We left Rhodes and have started island hopping northwards. First stop pretty little Symi town, nicer even than we remember it from last year when it was very busy and windy. On back to volcanic Nisyros and thence to Kos. Kos, because we have never been there, so thought we ought to. It is now mainly a tourist resort (sadly) with lovely long beaches and all the tourist trappings. But we had been told Kos town was nice, so ventured into the old harbour. The marina (a 15-20 min walk from town) is mainly used as a charter base. We were lucky with the old harbour, were found a slot just under the castle wall, next but one to another HR34 owned by a lovely Dutch couple. It was expensive by Greek standards with no facilities, but a great location. We explored the castle (more Knights of St John) and the old town, had a tasty meal out next to what seemed to be the local youth bar and café scene and left the next morning. It was sufficient.

On back to Pothi, the main harbour for Kalymnos, which has become a bit of a favourite. The "harbourmaster" is fabulous, helpful and cheerful. And this island, although touristy, is also a real town with real people, with a fishing harbour, about 4 fishmongers, 8 butchers, greengrocers, engineering workshops and the like. We like it and have sat out a day or so of high winds, in the company of 3 other Hallberg Rassy's, one the same size as us (Dutch), one Austrian HR48 and another Dutch HR53 (next to us and dwarfing us!)

One little incident, I was looking for a laundry. Asking the harbourmaster, he said to give my bag to him, he would take it to the lady who does and bring it back next morning. And so he did. On putting things away, I realised 2 pillowcases matching the duvet cover were missing. The harbourmaster was distraught, this has never happened before. Rings his lady, no not there. Brings me the bag of laundry of another boat (the only other one she had done) to check they were not in there. Poor man was so upset, he tried to give us money for them. (They were old and not expensive and we couldn't accept). He tried to insist, instead we suggested he hook us up to electricity for free which he did. Only to have him roaring back up on his scooter in the late afternoon; having looked everywhere to no avail, he had gone and bought us two new pillowcases. So sweet. Unfortunately they are a hideous mottled purple colour, but what can you do?

We are meeting up with Colin and his friend Tim on Silent Wings tomorrow (Shirley has gone home to check on aged father). So we shall go to the butcher tomorrow morning before leaving and get something tasty to barbecue for them - we will stand them supper, but they are bringing the Kataifi for pud!