On Friday morning we crossed the Gulf to the Evia side. The wind was weird that day; starting with around 15 knots, then dropping to 4 knots, picking up again to 8 to 9 knots and eventually picking up to around 20 knots with strong gusts. The tiny harbor in Limni was full, but there was still room on the outer side of the quay. A good spot actually, because now we were blown away from the quay. Nico and Sonja were already waiting for us, helping us with the lines. In the middle of the night we woke up from water coming through the open hatch: it rained! We had to close all the hatches in record time and bring the cockpit cushions inside. It was pouring down! Issy liked it though, a lot of salt had washed off her deck. The second evening in Limni, while having dinner aboard Snow Goose, it started raining again and we had to run back to close all the hatches again. In the night a swell came in and we had to leave the quay to anchor outside the harbor in a depth of 30 meters. With all the chain out, Issy contently bobbed on top of her anchor and we had a restful second half of the night.
By the time Snow Goose left the harbor, we still had to buy bread and get everything ready. That day’s destination was Néa Artaki, the last anchorage before the bridge. Another day of sailing, motor sailing and motoring. For the first time this summer, we saw lots of jelly fish. The king size hamburger look-a-likes. Yack! We anchored outside the harbor, where we joined a catamaran that was already there. Sonja and Nico recognized the boat from their winter in Feniki. On the quay was another boat they knew, so the next morning we left for Khalkis with four boats. In Khalkis, we moored on the quay, full of restaurants and bars. The guys went to the office to pay for the bridge, then we explored the town, did some shopping, bought some ice cream, had a gyros with the eight of us and then waited till the bridge opened. Luckily not that late, about half an hour after midnight. A lot of money and a big fuss for such a small bridge! Once through the bridge, we anchored in the bay and gave Eddie back his freedom after a day on the leash. Snow Goose went into the marina, Sonja and Nico wanted to visit Athens by train.
On Tuesday morning we decided to go to Eretria. Chris and Sue were there as well, and we had a very enjoyable pre-dinner drink on their catamaran. So enjoyable that we had dinner there as well. I think we left at around midnight. They left this morning, but we’re staying here another day.