Saturday, 12th May 2018
In Search of Cake

It was a textbook launch a week ago Wednesday, just before noon, allowing us time to go all of 1nm across to Archangelos (a protected little archipelago). We dropped anchor for a couple of hours to have our first swim of the season (water clear and cool 22.5deg) and lunch before heading the 10nm down to Lakki the main port, for a stock-up, a few jobs and catch up with old friends. Dinner with Colin & Shirley of Silent Wings; delightful table conversations regarding Colin's efforts to unblock / repair his loo - marine toilets and holding tanks are a frequent & much-loved topic of conversation - sad but true. As well as our own jobs that included more water pump investigations, installing the new water purifier and trimming deck caulking, Richard seemed to spend more time in the bilges of other boats - his reputation as engineering and techie expert comes before him. We did get repaid handsomely with a lovely meal aboard the Oyster "Miss Meg". Too early to buy cake.

It has been unusually hot for early May (ditto in the UK), but cooling slightly now making sleeping easier. We said our goodbyes to all and sundry and have island-hopped south to favourite places: Vathi on Kalymnos, a fertile valley in an otherwise mountainous and barren land famed for its climbing and sponge diving; volcanic Nysiros with sheltered harbour and all pumice, yellow sulphur and smoking fumaroles; Tilos with its pretty, arty little port, nice bay and stony beach & a favourite with walkers. Now we are on the island of Symi bordered by two Turkish peninsulas, firstly in Panormitis or Monastery Bay - nothing here but the lovely monastery and nice walks - no cake. It blew old boots last night (good holding for anchors) and will continue through today. We want to head round to the main port, but will leave it until tomorrow in the hope it all dies a bit and won't be too rough.

I am on a mission - I need cake. I also wanted to buy a real sponge as a little present whilst on Kalymnos, but Manolis in little Vathi was closed. Richard has a significant birthday on Monday, hence the need to get to stylish Symi harbour - previous holiday home of Rick Stein. There I can buy cake - I have the candles in readiness - and may be able to find an additional little silly present to replace the sponge (cleanliness is next to cake appreciation?). And treat us to a good meal out.

Every year we try and visit somewhere new as well as get to know favourite haunts better. For our sins, this year we would like to head to Cyprus - a new one for us. It is unbelievably difficult to get to commercially from the islands (no ferries); fly to Athens then out again, or to Turkey and thence to Northern Turkish Cyprus - all expensive and awkward (easier & cheaper direct from the UK!). So sailing it is. We have to choose South or North and our route carefully. You cannot go by boat from Greek to Turkish Cyprus, you face big fines and possible impounding of your boat. The easiest route is along the Turkish coast and down. We don't want to do that both ways as the formalities of clocking into and out of Turkey are onerous and expensive. So we are opting for a long sea passage from Greece to Greek Cyprus, staying that side and hiring a car to explore both sides, and then returning via the Turkish route, clocking in and out once only. Sounds complicated, but those familiar with the cruising area will understand the logistics. So the plan is from Symi to Rhodes, a "channel crossing" from Rhodes to Kastellorizo, and then weather watching for a 2 day window for good conditions to do the 150 odd nm to Cyprus. Interesting to think we will be closer to Syria and Eastern Turkey then than Greece. We presume the fighter jets at Akrotiri are on the ground! Watch this space.