Poros 2 - "Just When You Thought It was Safe To get back on the water!!
We sat in Poros on the pontoon of horror until Wednesday getting more and more worried at the antics of the charter boats around us . Basically we were moored with the front of the boat attached to the pontoon and the back attached via a rope and a chain to our own anchor which was about 40 metres behind us. We went out for a chat with some friends and, on our return found a pleasant Dutch family (Ma, Pa and 2 teenage boys) in a charter boat 2 down from us. They were part of a flotilla and Pa was a very helpful guy, he helped and advised everyone who arrived anywhere near us.. When anyone came in who was having difficulties he leapt on their boat, took charge, took over the steering and helped them moor up - donch'a just love him already!
 
Firstly he helped a Danish couple in, promptly dropped their anchor too short and on my anchor rope. This caused it to suddenly turn at right angles to my boat. He then re-anchored them while I sorted out my anchor rope.
 
Next a boat came in with broken steering and, again took my anchor rope through ninety degrees - forgiveable in the circumstances.
 
When this boat left the following morning another member of the flotilla came in and of course Pa had to help them and, guess what, he anchored them over my bloody anchor rope and then re-anchored them .
 
On the Thursday the flotilla and ourselves planned to leave. The Danish couple left first and found that Pa had dropped their anchor over the chains holding the pontoon in place. One diver and €70.00 later they got away. I left next and found that Pa had anchored his own bloody boat over my anchor chain. After sorting that out we found that the boat he had re-anchored had also gone over my rope. I only discovered this as I was hauling in my anchor. As a result of this, strong winds, and a momentary lapse in concentration  our anchor rope caught my prop and was cut by my prop rope cutter!!. Luckily the last boat to leave was also over my sodding anchor and managed to hook the rope in their anchor. Pa sent his son in their dinghy to retrieve it. It wouldn't budge so they buoyed it and €70.00 crossed the diver's palm for him to retrieve my £400.00 anchor. I have my own dive gear on board but no way was I going down in that busy spot
 
As Pa was leaving I am sure I heard him announcing, "Chaos and confusion now reign supreme - my work here is complete!"
 
We then took Tiercel out to a lovely anchorage in Navy Bay close to Poros . I spliced the broken rope, checked the anchoring gear and RELAXED. Thereafter we stayed on the anchorage and used the dinghy to get to and from the town. The only sound being the bugler at the Naval School blowing Last Post every evening at sunset. Seriously relaxing!
 
Loutra - Isle of Kithnos
On Friday we left at 6.00 in the morning for Loutra on the island of Kithnos in the Cyclades. The first 3 hours were an enjoyable sail with the wind on the beam. Thereafter the locally named "Meltemi" blew in at force 5 to 6 on the nose. The second part of the journey was hard work under sail and engine against wind and current. However, we arrived at 14.30 into a very sheltered harbour in a wee village. We were surrounded by a multitude of giant motorboats and private yachts who all arrive here, anchor immaculately in the tiny harbour and make us feel very secure . We have electricity and water connected, have showered and are sitting on deck, the crescent moon is reflected in the still waters, people are sat out on their boats chatting and having a good time, the sound of jazz guitar is wafting in from one of the bars, not a charter boat in sight - ain't life wonderful!!
 
Awoke Saturday morning to an emptying of motor boats . While doing piles of washing Gina looked up to see a friendly face. It was the young Norwegians who had been moored next to us in Poros & who managed to escape before the "Pontoon from Hell" got them.
 
We went shopping to the "supermarket" which advertised "everything your yacht will need". An old lady served us with a happy smiling face going through pointing to everything we might need. When we left she grabbed hold of Gina's arm & proceeded to pick a handful of her fresh herbs growing in pots, & gave to Gina. The smell on the boat is wonderful and our salads are delightfully fragrant.
 
On Sunday night the charter boats started appearing again but, as getting here requires higher skill levels, they all moored up very skilfully.
 
On Monday we left at 7.00 for Finikas and Ermoupolis on the Island of Siros of which more anon.