SLOW PASSAGE TO GREECE, FULL MOON AND DOLPHINS – 28 and 29 JUNE, Days 65 – 66

The weather window arrived. We took the rubbish ashore, ate breakfast and watched at least 5 yachts we knew leave ahead of us, Grey Goose to Crotone, Michel to Levkas, and others towards Corfu. By the time we left at 11 and sailed the few miles to Capo Rizzuto the only yachts in sight were headed to Crotone, the others having disappeared perhaps using motor as we went more slowly in the light winds under sail.

Sometimes the speed became so low that we motor sailed for a couple of hours then tried sailing again. At least the sea was slight and becoming more calm so at rest on the bed on the bridge deck we could sleep without banging on waves hitting the underside of the bridge deck.

Day came towards night with a magnificent sunset over Italy behind us and an amazing rise of the full moon, so dark at first then as she climbed, becoming brighter. We could steer all night by lining up moon with a part of the boat which was good for half an hour at a time before we needed to check the course again.

Without autopilot working we steered one after the other for the whole time. Anita came on deck at 02.00 and took over steering so I could sleep once I had shown her how to use the moon to steer the correct course. She steered until sunrise allowing me a good sleep. 

Just after 07.00 I calculated that at this speed we would be at sea for a second night so put on the motor which stayed running until we anchored at about 23.00.

Being calm Anita felt able to do jobs on the boat and some crochet so time passed more quickly for her than on a rougher passage like the one to Roccella Ionica.

We had first sight of our destination Nisos Othoni from 45 miles away and could steer to a visible target. 25 miles away we had our third dolphins visit, this pod of about 10 being much larger than the small ones we had seen before. They really played around the boat and Anita managed a good photo. They so lift the spirits, which were already high as we were getting closer to Greece after some hard days.

Our arrival was beautiful as the full moon arose orange from the horizon, then lit the coast and bay as we entered. The scent of herbs was in the air.

36 hours after departing Le Castilla we anchored in the dark in Greece.