The Three Sisters

We have finally made it to Pylos with what should go on record as the sail with the slowest average speed since Corfu to Paxos back in April. This was due to an unexpected lack of wind and engine problems. One night Jonnie and I got a few hours kip when the wind had completely stopped. When we woke it was time to put Miss Martin (our big yellow cruising chute) to proper use for the first time. But when the wind fizzled again several hours later we motored into Kyparissi to stretch our legs and stock up on pasta.

The morning after

We set off again that night with the formidable Cape Malea (the first of three) south of us. Notoriously treacherous and difficult to navigate, we expected the worst. We motored for three hours waiting for wind which suddenly blew up at 3am pushing Crest Hawk at a steady 6 knots down to the cape. We even slowed her down so we could tackle Cape Malea in daylight. The cape itself was easy enough but as we sailed through the bay between that and Cape Matapan (the second of the three) the weather quickly changed and we found ourselves beating upwind in a force 8, gusting 9. Our leeway was worrying considering the lee-shore behind us. With darkness encroaching it was decided the old Port of Sparta (Gytheio) at the north western end of the bay would be our best chance of refuge. After 5 more hours of big close swell breaking over the bow and into the cockpit and Crest Hawk's engine facing some concerning power-loss issues, we finally anchored in our planned port for a decent night sleep. Jonnie and Jez say I looked 80 years old with dark bags under my red salt crusted eyes! The sign of a true skipper talking the stresses of his vessel on his shoulders.

The next morning every item of bedding was brought up on deck to dry and Jez treated us to chocolate and banana waffles ashore. Jonnie managed to block the toilet for the first time! A messy job to fix, but Jonnie drew the short straw and got the job done.

Cape Malea and the following bay between it and the third cape were kind to us but this morning when it came to firing up the engine for the final stage of the voyage nothing happened! The engine would not start. We set Crest Hawk up for sailing onto the quay which after several attempts we achieved. Two hours later I'd met a marine mechanic who diagnosed and fixed the problem. It turned out to be a bad connection to the starter motor. I offered him a beer but he wouldn't accept and did the job free of charge.

Bastie's last supper has been living on in our dreams since he prepared Chili con Carne with nachos, baguette and cream cheese. Jonnie swears it is the best chilli he has ever had; even better than his Mum's (which he thought to be impossible).

Ben's Best Bit: "Night sailing at 6.2 knots"

Jonnie's Little Gem: "The chilled night sail from the port of Sparta to the second cape"

Jez's Favourite Jam: "Hearing My Dream - Jez"