Limnos, Lesvos & Home 14th July-24th July 2015

Well ahead of the weather, we motored the entire 50nm from Thasos to Limnos in sweltering temperatures, anchoring in the bay off little Myrina. But the weather was coming, so we didn't dally there, although it's a nice place, but set off early Wednesday morning for the 70nm down to Molivos on Lesvos. We had good sailing for most of the way, then the wind started building and the sea state so that for the last few hours we were surfing with breaking quartering waves beneath us - as already posted elsewhere, we managed 9.2kn boat speed with 10.5kn SOG, which is going some. We were glad to arrive safely in Molivos, there was still a space left on the quay and we tucked ourselves in.

We ended up staying for 4 nights. The forecasts were all sixes and sevens, occasionally eight with seas rough to high. We were now at least on the right island, if not in the right town, so felt the pressure was off.
The whole of Lesvos (with Molivos and Mytilene in particular) is still the focus for Syrian migrants making their way from Turkey. We encountered an abandoned RIB on our way over, scanned the seas for people, thankfully none. We informed the Coastguard on arrival, they said there are hundreds of them, once they are rescued by Hellenic Coastguard the boats are just left - they used to bring them ashore, but the island is now littered with abandoned boats and lifejackets. There have been numerous documentaries, a BBC online one a few days ago, an ITV one broadcast on the day of our crossing and a France24 TV documentary being made on the quay as we were tying up. The reporter stood at our stern - not sure which takes will eventually be broadcast, but could well have Myrica in them. It is a huge problem and the Greeks are doing their best, but under increasingly difficult circumstances.

We did touristy things like take the little train to a couple of the neighbouring seaside places, we talked to the owner of the little restaurant we went to about the drying of octopus, and generally exchanged stories and tips with fellow sailors also sitting out the windy weather. On day 4, a number of us heading down the island or further south ventured out. Those heading north would have to wait a bit longer. We are aiming to complete a circumnavigation anticlockwise, having done the first bit on our previous visit, in about 3 or 4 hops to end up in the marina at Mytilene by Thursday. All supposedly sheltered coves, we nonetheless had 35kn of wind all night long last night in Mersina Cove on the south coast - thankfully with not too much swell. We had made doubly sure our anchor was well dug in (on second attempt) and with 50 metres of chain out, we didn't budge. The water is so clear that with snorkel, you could see the anchor 20 feet down quite clearly.

Thursday back in Mytilene, nothing more exciting than cleaning up and putting the boat to temporary bed and catching the little Olympian flight to Athens at 6.45 Saturday morning. It has become absolutely scorchio now, but unlike Turkey last year, the water is still cool and refreshing. But it is home time for a bit and looking forward to seeing family & friends, and poor old abandoned house and garden.

Next update, beginning of September - plans? Who knows.