Nisos Skyros to Athens

We received a new neighbor in the anchorage at Alonnisos and we had to help them with their stern anchor or else we would have gone bump in the night. This morning, we head south to the island of Skyros, on our way to Athens.

3 hours into a 7 hour sail, the seas are bumpy so we decide to duck into this cove on the deserted island of Skantzoura. Check out the water and little beach in here. Very nice choice for Jungle, we'll stay the night.

The next day the sea is still bumpy, but manageable. This is how the fat fluff princess manages.

We are approaching the Skyros port town of Linaria, but first we have to find and navigate through a narrow channel. The alternative is to sail 2-3 hours around a long island.

We made it through, a little narrow but a piece of cake.

We found this nice little anchorage for Jungle - on the right.

Zooming out, you can see the impressive hills. ReadIng up on Skyros indicated that it is an out of the way, eclectic kind of island that do things a little differently. Intriguing. We're intrigued.

We walk around the (very) small port town of Linaria. Here looking down on the harbor.

We come across this neat little cafe and swimming area while overlooking the harbor. Check out the clear water in the harbor.

Looking up to an impressive cliffside home.

We sit down for a sunset view in the cafe.

To heck with the sunset view we are hungry and decide to go back down for dinner.

We sit down at a harborside restaurant that was recommended by a fellow sailor as "great food, cheap". Works for us. Here is a view back up to the hillside cafe we just left, with white umbrellas.

Another fellow sailor, Andrew of S/V Ismira comes by and gives us a heads up on the incoming ferry. The port plays a classical overture piece and the patrons in the cafe we just left all burn sparklers to welcome the Ferry in - very cool local tradition. Then the ferry's aft ramp drops down and all hell breaks loose. People and cars coming off. People running on to pick up packages, including two waiters from our taverna who lugged some crates off the ferry. All the while, port police are directing people and cars, with not too many people paying attention. It was a hoot to watch. I may have hooted. We did have a great dinner.

The next morning we are sitting in the same restaurant from last night, only now empty, waiting for the 9AM bus, which turned out to be 10:45 with a bus driver who smoked. Yassas! The Chora on this island is also the main town. So we're going.

Jungle is sitting pretty as we take the bus to town. Remember this photo.

It's a beautiful, flower covered Chora with streets and alleys going every which way, but mostly up...

... And up. We have no particular plan, we just like following these steps and pathways through the village. With every turn we find something interesting.

We are getting higher. Looking down at the northern point of Alonnisos.

Looks nice from here. Now we see another harbor.

Nice homes up here. We are working up a sweat hiking up this hill. We run into lots of families and older folks who make the trip multiple times a day. I immediately stop crying, stand up and continue to walk. Matter of fact, I now have a goal - to the castle! To the top! I'm a man, I can make it! Damn it all !!!

Well, first this photo of my little lovey poo.

We reach the top to storm the castle and it's closed. These signs basically say "your tax euros at work".

Deterred but not dejected we find a little out-of-the-way taverna based on a local recommendation. A good one as it was one of the best meals we've had. I'm drinking FIX beer, good stuff.

We head out and look back at the Chora.

Very nice place where everyone on the island goes to shop. Now we head back to Jungle for an overnight sail to Athens.

As the bus rounds the corner of the hill, we see Jungle, now clearly out of position, up against the rocks. Not good. Furthermore, our fellow sailor we met yesterday, Andrew, is standing on Jungles deck and dinghys are floating close by. They are doing what they can to help. Not a good sight for Jenée and me. Obviously Jungle slipped anchor. We have the bus driver drop us off at the closest point to our dinghy and we race back. Andrew and his crew noticed Jungle slipping and jumped on board to see what the could do to help. He took our stern anchor and tied it off to the side to keep Jungle off the rocks. Miraculously, the anchor rebooked itself as Jungle was a meter (3 feet) from the rocks in a heavy wind. That's me snorkeling to assess the damage. You can see the rocks and it's safe to say you don't intentionally anchor this close to rocks.

Not a scratch to Jungle! I swim further up to locate the anchor (I'm swimming over it, you can see me just over the bow) and there is just enough deep water to drive up to the anchor and pick it up. That's what we do while Andrew uses our dinghy to keep Jungle away from the rocks. I winched up the anchor while pulling in the line on the side anchor that Andrew put out. Disaster averted, we can now head out.

There is the wonderful crew of Ismira including; Andrew, Paul Dowsey and family. Many thanks for their fine help and rescue of Jungle. Lesson learned here is when anchoring in grass as we were, checked the strength of the hold by backing up un the anchor with the engine. The fact is we've avoided anchoring in grass until we arrived here, always sand. Captains error.

One last look at Skyros, Linaria and the ferry as we head off for an overnight run to Athens.

We made it to Athens after 20 hours of hard sailing and my bride is holding up well. We are at the Royal Olympic Hotel to meet my buddy Demetris (flew in from Cyprus). In the mirrors reflection you can see the Pillars of Zeus.

Aaahh, to be in love and in the city of the godess Athena. Perfect.