30 51N 26 28E     

11 nm South of Lesbos

10 April 2008

We slipped out of Samos just on daybreak silently waving farewell to Kilkea 2 who were still sleeping.

With the promise of  South Westerly at 2 to 3 beau fort we looked forward to a pleasant sail to either Cesme or the Island of Chois as we traversed the straights of Samos the purple in the sky looked ominous with little wind we motored along the North coast of the island.

Two hours later the wind had freshend from the south with a quartering sea it was quite unpleasant a decision to divert to the Turkish port of Sagiick was greeted with some relief from the crew.

Another hour or so on the wind had freshened even more and swung around to the South West it made more sense now to carryon with our initial destination and we rolled up the Turkish coast now making some 8 knots at times.

As we approached Ak Burun the corner before the Chios straights the wind increased to 36knts and the sea to three metres, Mandy was introduced to what is known as a ‘Greenie’ when were pooped a few gallons of sea water down your trousers and shirt was not pleasant but received no sympathy from the rest of the crew who were in hysterics laughing.

We put in another reef and soon as we turned the corner we came under the lee the sea subsided and we were sailing along at 7 knots in calm waters.

A decision was made not to go into either Cesme or Chios town (we had a bad experience there a couple of years ago with over officious port police) and continue up to the tiny island of Oinoussa at the top of the Chios straights.

We had visited this port last year and thought it one of the best kept secrets in these parts tourism is actively discouraged here only one bar and one hotel.

Thirty percent of the Greek shipping tycoons come from this island so economically the island is well provided for.

Mooring alongside just on nightfall we were greeted by one of the fishermen we met last year we were the first visiting boat of the year (no charge and free electric on the quay made it even better)

Gwyn even managed to persuade the one and only bar to show the Manchester United v Roma game on the TV.

We left this morning at daybreak and are at present motoring very little wind although we can see the high Cirrus forming which may herald a change in the weather later although the locals told us we are in for2 days of sunshine.

We have dolphins with us for a while this morning and despite our efforts still no fish.

Dave Kath and Tilly the cat

S/Y Mashona