Had a lovely run up to Astipalia - unfortunately the wind wend round onto the nose (as predicted but you always hope) half way through the night and it was a long motor the rest of the way. L did the last couple of hours once it got light and I dozed so we both arrived in reasonable nick. We looked at Skala - the capital but rather fancied anchoring so we could doze some more so we looked in all the bays until we got to Maltezana - but none were particularly attractive as the coast (and only) road runs right around the edge of most.
Heickel says that there is good holding - but we didn't find any! Messed around for
over an hour trying the hook in different places but it just ploughed through the soft mud everywhere we dropped it. In the end it seemed to be marginally OK and there was no wind present or forecast so we said "OK" and went to sleep. Went for a refreshing swim late in the afternoon and had a look at the anchor - the damned thing was just lying on its side on the surface - lucky there wasn't any wind. In the end, we decided to up sticks and head for Skala.
It's a pretty little place, climbing up a steep hill to the castle. The harbour is new but seems to be rather poorly maintained as only one electricity point was working (and already had 5 boats on it) and none of the taps were working. Luckily we didn't really need either.
Went for a walk up to the castle - quite a climb but well worth it when you get there. Lovely little churches, Lots of ruins and wonderful views.
The town has plenty of supplies so we picked up a bit on the way back down and L did a proper shop next morning - including a rather Priapic Aubergine!
The port police was a nice young woman who charged me €8 and wanted to stamp my transit log. I got her to phone her boss who confirmed that it only has to be done every 30 days.
Talked to a couple of Dutch boats who are going down to Ag Nik to check it out for the winter gave them Tony's pilot.
Went round to Vathi expecting to have difficulty with the weed that Heikel reports - wrong again! Wonderful anchorage similar to Spinalonga, Panormites on Symi and Vlicho, perfect holding, loads of space and quiet other than 2 guard dogs who keep barking. They're driving Lucifer round the bend.
L has got the lurgy big time so we're staying for a few days till she feels better. Probably off to Levithia on Wednesday.
Heickel says that there is good holding - but we didn't find any! Messed around for
over an hour trying the hook in different places but it just ploughed through the soft mud everywhere we dropped it. In the end it seemed to be marginally OK and there was no wind present or forecast so we said "OK" and went to sleep. Went for a refreshing swim late in the afternoon and had a look at the anchor - the damned thing was just lying on its side on the surface - lucky there wasn't any wind. In the end, we decided to up sticks and head for Skala.
The town has plenty of supplies so we picked up a bit on the way back down and L did a proper shop next morning - including a rather Priapic Aubergine!The port police was a nice young woman who charged me €8 and wanted to stamp my transit log. I got her to phone her boss who confirmed that it only has to be done every 30 days.
Talked to a couple of Dutch boats who are going down to Ag Nik to check it out for the winter gave them Tony's pilot.
L has got the lurgy big time so we're staying for a few days till she feels better. Probably off to Levithia on Wednesday.
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