Saturday, May 28, 2016

A Sailing Experience




This was to be our ninth family annual sailing holiday and we decided on the Saronic islands in Greece. New waters and a new skipper,the skipper of Aegean Flavours, Harry. We felt in safe hands. We also helped sail our 55ft chartered yacht.
 Unfortunately, we only had a week to explore Ermioni, Poros, Porto Heli, Hydra, Spetses and Plaka. For sailors like ourselves who only hoist sails once a year, a fortnight is preferable: the first week can be tense, remembering knots and adjusting to the lavatory and shower arrangements, while the second week is always more relaxed.
We started at Alimos marina, not far from Athens centre. It is still a spectacular setting. We landed at 1pm and were on board our yacht, Fani, an hour and half later. Our provisions were delivered from the quayside mini market: wine, beer, yogurt, honey, bacon and eggs, feta cheese and olives, peaches and cherries.We knew that Harry would also teach us some authentic Greek recipes on board during our sailing week.
When Andreas from Aegean Flavours  company gave us our briefing, Harry asked the crew to tune in. “Everyone must know how the radio works, how to drop the sails, and the man overboard drill,” he insisted. Blue sky can quickly turn nasty in the Mediterranean, but Harry predicted only gentle breezes during our voyage.
The stop I enjoyed the most was Poros!Poros harbour is exquisite. Aegean villas tumble down the hillside and the harbour is crowded with bars, tavernas and  boutiques. Our first stern-to mooring did not go to plan, despite the well-organised crew. We arrived late afternoon to an audience of comfortably moored yachts, locals promenading and crowded cafés. It was a Greek holiday; Poros buzzed!  

by Margaret Moss, a guest from the US who did our "Cooking Aboard" program

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