On our way north. We are in Orei at the top of Evvoia. Next stop into the gulf of Volos. This praying mantis hid under our outboard cover then decided to dangle upside down from the solar panel rail for 3 further days. Was he confused by being taken by sea, sheltering in the shade, or just praying? Catch up soon.

Tuesday, 2nd July 2013 The Bridge Khalkis Bridge is a sliding bridge that spans the 40m gap between the mainland and Evia Island. It only opens at night to let boats through at calm water, sometime between 10pm and 4am. They have a rough timetable, but do not let you know, as they cannot predict accurately when it will be calm. It is not like tides. The current sweeps through at a rate of knots: sometimes southwards, sometimes north. There are swirls and eddies. ...

Monday, 1st July Eretria, Evia Island Heading for the Bridge A week on and a week of contrasts. From Poseidon's temple we decided on a whim to go to the island of Kea, the westernmost of the Cyclades. The islands in the Saronic Gulf (Poros, Hydra, etc) are covered in pine with a characteristic dry piney scent. Kea was a very barren rock, where it was covered, it was just a bit of scrubby garrigue. These are bleak. We wanted to go on to Kithnos and then Siros, wh...

23rd June 2013 Poros, Epidaurus and Ak Sounion. Tranquility and Birthday Treats We have had a week of ease. The meltemi is blowing so we did what everyone does - find a nice spot and just sit it out. And it has been very nice. Past Spetses to Idhra (Hydra) and on to Poros Island. Poros town is lovely and convivial. And the island has coves and little bays to escape to when it gets all too hot and fraught and you want a bit of peace and quiet, and space to swim...

15th June 2013 Kilada Repair of the Mishap and Saga of the Wind Sim We had been having a fair degree of difficulty making progress with a proper repair to our pulpit - it had begun to be an exercise in frustration, time and interference with our cruising plans. This was our last shot, otherwise we were going to pass it over to the insurers and Hallberg-Rassy for a new pulpit. However, we are now sorted and think the other side (the perpetrator) is also happy wit...