We set off quite early but an engine problem, the alternator, caused us to sail to Nikolaos Marina for repair. Bob contacted marina on VHF and we were directed to space. We moored bows to with double lazy lines. Met Niklaos the talkative engineer who fixed the engine. I washed our laundry and coloured my hair. The marina charged us thirty-five euros for the night so we left early next morning even though they gave us a complimentary bottle of wine and one of oil.
Wednesday 21 May 2014 Pouru Bay, Crete.
There was a hotel on the shore of this bay which meant we accessed free internet for the two nights that we stayed. On the second day we motored/sailed around to look at Nikalaos town. Very busy.
Tuesday 20 May 2014 Spinalonga Bay, Crete
We lost a large screw driver in Elounda Bay as Bob was loosening screws. Fireworks in Elounda in the evening. Seen from Peperuka in Spinalonga Bay. Choppy night. Lost dingy board as wind overturned the dingy as it was pulled behind us when we left the next morning. No time to stop at the island which is the site of the last leper colony in Europe and the setting of the book The Island by Victoria Hislop.
Monday 19 May 2014 Passing by Iraklion (no space in marina)
We tried to find a berth and nearly caused damage squeezing Peperuka into a space.
This is the closest I am destined to be to the remains of the Minoan Civilisation. How were they so civilised when they took children from their homes in other parts of Greece to be trained in acrobatics for their entertainment? This is the premise for The Hunger Games. There’s nothing new in the world.
Sunday 18 May 2014 Rethymno, Crete.
A very busy town with a huge quay. Berthed with a lazy line and stern to the pontoon which was taken over by long term people. Nice enough people who helped us berth. Their boat was called Little Cat and they had placed plants on the pontoon to make it clear they were their long term. They said the space we were in was being kept for their friends but we could have it for one night. We didn’t think anyone could reserve a place. Got internet at Everest Café.