Yasu Aegean

Wait a minute... who's steering?

Bill turned out to be one of the most interesting people we've met so far, at the same time as one of the most unstable (apart from Crazy John). Tomas hadn't wanted to talk to him again having stood downwind for their initial encounter, but felt terrible when he started reeling off inspirational tales of his solo around the world epic sailing journey. Now 74, he's been sailing for 7 years straight, with bowel cancer behind him and a triple bypass. His longest time at sea was a sail from Brazil to North Wales. He had lost his engine and the wind so when he was a mile off the Azores he radioed for a tow in but was ignored! It resulted in him spending 96 days alone in the Atlantic.

Barnacle Bill

At the beginning of the week we met with Tomas' God Uncle Clive, and were treated to some delicious authentic Kythiran cuisine! Later on in the week we met his husband Petros and agreed to take them sailing the next time we pass through.

When we left Kythira the forecast had promised us SW - NW Force 3. In reality we were faced with no wind for the first 5 hours so we were forced to use "zee machine". It was Ben's watch when first the fuel ran out and then the wind started to change at 3am. Ben woke Tom to put in a reef (decreasing sail area) in preparation for the worst case scenario. We put life jackets on and Ben insisted that a reluctant Tom clip in, which turned out to be literally life saving; the second Tom was at the mast we were hit by a squall. Heavy wind, lightening, horizontal rain... it was the bloody mother load. Tomas held fast and did not return until the reef 2 was made, at which point the wind died and a very wet Ben was left to keep watch into the night. Ben replaced the fuel but when bleeding the engine, the bleed screw broke off - fuel squirted everywhere! Nothing an elastic band couldn't sort. Everybody should know that Tomas did helm for his share of the trip.

Self-Steering

Since we arrived in Milos life has changed for the better. Today we checked out a beach across the bay from the town, fitted the self-steering wind vane and mastered the stern-to manoeuvre! We both agree it's been our best day in Greece (apart from the days we met Tats, Andreas & Alex, Sanji & Tonia, Fred & Juan, Billy & Pam, Piere & Corrine, Ben's family, Bill, Zed & Girlfriend, Clive & Petros and Rory & Vicky (If you haven't been mentioned here please don't be disheartened - keep trying, you may yet become relevant in our memories))

Sunrise

Tom's Top Tip: "When your Captain is being safe about anal (sorry I mean anal about safety) follow his advice"

Ben's Best Bit: "Our third crew member Elefteria a.k.a self-steering"

Sunset

Milos

Milos Churches

Force 6 on the quay