Back in DK
My flight was canceled the other day. I could choose between coming home the next day or November 17th. Although Corfu is wonderfully weather-wise, I chose to go home the next day as I found the corona situation a bit unmanageable in a country with a run-down healthcare system. Long travel day with...
Back in Corfu
Back in Corfu sailclub. Met with the old friends from last. Arranged a sailmaker to come up with offers for new sprayhood and benimi as well as repair of sails. In addition, arranged electricians for the boat heater. Corona infection rates are rising in Greece so the country will probably turn orang...
Last daycruise for this summer
It's getting late summer and cooler. I am sailing today to Corfu where the boat will be in Corfu sailclub this winter. There is not much wind, but it is sunny here. It is about 5 hours sailing by motor. Before departure, however, I have a challenge with my anchor which is filtered into another ancho...
Season slowly ending
I begin Slowly going back to Corfu for winter port. The weather has become a little cooler, 22-25 degrees during the day and down to 16-17 degrees at night. Not cold or uncomfortable, but still a sign to turn the bow towards winter harbor. Within the next 10-12 days I therefore arrive in Mandraki -...
Weather here in Med
The weather for last night was predicted to be windy, which was one of the reasons for choosing this very protected lagoon. Have been lying here for several days and then moved the boat over to a laid out buoy yesterday due to the expected wind. It became much more violent wind than the forecast, bu...
Englishmen - and boats
You meet many English boats down here in the Greece. There are like 2 categories. One is large beautiful and well-kept boats. The second group are some very small - often only 6-8 meters - in very poor condition. One wonders whether it is refugees due to Brexit or very good sailors who can endure th...
Preveza and Lefkas chanel
Had an overnight stay in Preveza Marina, which is a brand new marina with all amenities. I needed to get clothes washed, recharge boat batteries and be washed in fresh water as well as geting provisions. Fantastic port for this purpose but such ports are not so charming. The weather forecast says th...
Excursion Gaios
Just thought I had to sail a little trip today to a new port. Will hate to forget how to sail or that the boat grows stuck in the bottom. Sailed 5 nm south and got a tomato salad and a cup of coffee, after which I sailed "home" again to my little bay.
Lakka
To avoid winds and waves that are currently comming during the day I set sail early and arrived at Lakka harbor on an island south of Corfu allready 10 o´clock.Absolutely wonderful place. Fantastic turquoise bathing water and cozy houses and tavernas throughout the bay. Probably staying for some day...
Unpredictable weather
Today the plan was to sail 27 nm south to Paxhoi. The weather was fine and I set off. Of course it blew up shortly after and there were waves and wind in the nose. I changed the plan and sailed over to the mainland side and found shelter and a harbor. The weather is unpredictable at the moment. I'm...
Appointment for winterstay in Sailingclub
To have peace of mind to sail around down here in Greece without thinking about where the boat should be during the months I am in Denmark, I have today made an agreement with the sailing club to stay here this winter. I'm really happy about that. Here are others who spend the winter here on the boa...
Considerations for staying in the winter
Enjoying civilization in a real city and in a real sailing club. Already know several sailors who belong to the sailing club. It is completely different to lie in a sailing club than in a commercial marina. The boat provides many inquiries and questions. People like the boat. Have decided to stay a...
Mandraki ( Corfu old town )
After a few days with too much wind I was able to sail again. The sailing trip to Corfu was wonderful on mirror-clear water and culminated with arrival at the beautifully situated sailing club in Mandraki. I needed city and enjoyed a walk in the beautiful city. Met the Greek Antoni, who will help me...
Mooringline in propeller
There comes one low pressure after another. Yesterday I tried to sail to Corfu between 2 low pressures as there was a window of 10-12 hours with less wind. The attempt failed as I got a mooringline in the propeller when I had left the quay. I had to go back. I needed a diver to solve the problem and...
Layover due to strong wind
Had planned to read a good book today. Instead, it was to take care of the boat. Basically it has blown quite a lot last night and today, but when there is a thunderstorm on top then there will be something to do. Had to move the boat so it was in a different way. Due to the large swells in the harb...
Last streth to Greece
Waited for a window to sail the last stretch to Greece - a distance of 50 nm. The wind was reduced to very little from the morning and the forecast was that it would be calm all day. After getting fuel on board, I sailed off early. The swells from the night's strong winds were still there and it did...
Leuca sigtseeing
Yesterday I cycled around the area. The lighthouse, Mousolini's staircase, the caves and some provisions. The city is geared towards great tourism...... but there is none. Many restaurants and hotels have not survived the summer without the tourists. It is difficult to see how they will get going in...
A few days More in Italy before Greece
Took off early yesterday at 5 o'clock. There was 72 nm in front. There were good weather reports everywhere, so it was just about to get going.. Arrived in the port which is located on the southern tip of Italy off the heel at 4:30 PM. Nice weather all the way. Considered whether I should sail 50 nm...
Reflections
Sailed 20 miles to get fuel on the tanks and be a little better positioned for the long voyage tomorrow - 70 nm. The weather looks great in all the places where I seek out weather information. The harbor master also thought it looked really nice from where he retrieves information. If it still looks...
Milestone - 1000 nautic mile
Today I have logged a total of 1017 nautical miles or 1873 KM 😊🥂
Cementeri for boats
After a few days of waiting for better weather (less wind) I set off on the 4th day. I had a relatively long distance to the next port. Had to cross a bay which is notorious for big waves, but it was not bad. While I was waiting to refuel this morning, I looked around the Coast Guard area in the har...
Entering Ionian see
Yesterday was a very long day. 15 hours sailing, which included 9 hours with strong headwinds and big waves. In addition, I was running out of fuel as the boat used a lot of fuel due to the big waves and fouling of the bottom from the 3 weeks in Rome. Under normal circumstances I would have gone int...
Covid and Italy
As always, the port office in Messina was very cumbersome as in all other Italien ports. All ship documents, Address, mail, telephone, ID, last port, next port, and final destination. When I mentioned Greece as final distination he made me aware that if I came back to Italy again I would be rejected...
Missina strait
Get fine through Messina Strait. There were absolutely no problems in it. Sailing in the area between Elsinore and Helsingborg is more challenging. There were some ferries, there were also some fishing boats… but no problems. Strange with all the worrying stories on the internet. I was off at 7am an...
Swordfish fishing boats and advices for The Messina Strait
There are many swordfish in the area. I have not seen any, but they grow up to 4.5 meters long and weigh up to 600 kg. Some very special boats have been developed, where the helmsman sits in a tall tower. They sail really fast and can turn very fast. On a long footbridge in front of the boat you sta...
Vulcano Stromboli
I had been recommended in Rome to sail out to a volcanic island a little north of the Strait of Messina. The volcano is active and has regular eruptions. I had the consideration to sail out there - about 25-30 sm in the middle of nowhere. But there have been a lot of thunder the last few days I did...
Break
After a long stretch, it turned into a 2 day break in Tropea. Charming place. Spent some time studying the conditions at the Strait of Messina, which I will be going through in a few days. It is certainly a water where there is no room for mistakes or bad gear. There is very heavy traffic, Lots of f...
Transport
The day was a transport day. There is a fairly long stretch of beaches without harbors. When sailing you do not like long distances without ports. If the weather gets bad or you have problems with gear it is not nice. It was one of 3 stretches of that kind the next one to 2 weeks. The weather gradua...
Pompei
Morning started with great activity on deck and in dinghy. The big seagulls picked up all the dead little fish that had committed suicide last night. Seagulls get up early !! This morning I rowed in and got up and rented a scooter to drive to Pompeii. I obviously looked like one that was easy to ch...
Weird fish
The nice place I had in Naples was a place that the military had. A couple of very friendly soldiers asked me to sail away. I therefore sailed on. Naples will be another time. Good sailing with Capri on the starboard side and on to Salermo. With the dinghy ashore and inspecting the city which was a...
Fenced
Had emailed a number of ports in Naples to get a mooring. I was rejected. However, I still tried if I could sneak into a spot at the end of the day. I managed to find a mooring without the harbor master discovering me. The site was an unused mast crane site, with a lot of fences around. The harbor i...
Napoli
Ports in the area around Naples are extremely expensive - and it does not seem easy to find space for sway just outside one of the ports. It is said - and described - that there is a risk that your boat will be haunted by thieves if you are not on board. Likewise, it is said that Naples has the most...
Early up
This morning I was up very early. I was at anchor. During the night the wind had turned and at 4 o'clock I was almost thrown out of the bunk due to large swells. Not much wind. In the black night I had to pick up the anchor and sail carefully out between the sandbanks, which I had had some trouble w...
Shallow water
After 3 weeks on the Tiber near Rome, the bottom of the boat was completely overgrown with seaweed. I sailed much slower than usual - at least 0.5 knots slower. during the day it got better. Got off a little late as I just had to say goodbye properly. Therefore, it could not be the archipelago that...
Next move
Have been in the area for a long time and now I have to move on. Here is otherwise nice. Rome is lovely and here where I lie there are lovely with nice people and a lot of nature and animals. Yesterday I was told that a large shark had strayed up the river last year - a tiger shark of 4 m! Sea turtl...
Time to continue
Have been in the area for a long time and now I have to move on. Here is otherwise nice. Rome is lovely and here where I lie there are lovely with nice people and a lot of nature and animals. Yesterday I was told that a large shark had strayed up the river last year - a tiger shark of 4 m! Sea turtl...
Callisto catacomb
Excursion to area outside Rome's city walls. Via the ancient road "Via Appia Antica" - through beautiful countryside - to the largest of Rome's catacombs - Sallisto. There were 20 km of trails spread over 4 floors underground. Over about 250 years, 500,000 Christians including 5 popes were buried he...
Ostia Antica
Right next to where the boat is located there is an ancient city from Roman times - Ostia antica. Amazing that you can still see the contours of this great city. In addition to seeing this city, I tried to get a new shock absorber for the bike. maybe it will succeed one of these days.
Rome without tourist
I have been to Rome several times but this time is very different. There are no tourists. It's crazy. The iconic tourist attractions are without people. As if there had been a....... yes I do not know what to say. For Rome it is a catastrophe and for me as a tourist it is unique. Took the subway in...
Relaxing
Spent the day on little things as I had not gotten enough sleep. Got the bike ashore and cycled a ride in the area and got provisions. Enormous amounts of fluid and fruit are needed in hot weather. The locals say it is life threatening to cycle into Rome, but just recommend I take the bike with me o...
In place for Rome adventure
Sailing in very little wind on blue water with spots of dolphins. At the mouth of the river Tiber, I sailed up the river and got a great place at a small shipyard. Piers in the area around Rome are very expensive, but I had spoken and written in advance with those who had the small shipyard. I got a...
On the way to Rome
2 days ago I was considering whether I should sail to Corsica or sail south. It became south as I thought there was a great risk for me to be in port every day as the possibility of anchoring was limited - and port fees are often around 100 €. Now it turns out that it was a good choice for a whole o...
Ending the Elba loop
It is practically impossible to get a place in a port on Elba., And it is said it is even worse in Corsica. The ports are filled up at least 5 days ahead with reservations. When supplying, the port authorities also say no. Use your anchor and use the dinghy! Today I tried to be really smart. I had t...
Fetovaia bay
Relax days with swimming, book reading, and unfortunately also a little bit of challenges with the engine. Tried to get a mooring in a few ports to get the bike ashore. Everything was busy. The Italians are on holiday and even the small bays are crowded.
Elba
Enjoy the days with the beautiful view from the boat's cockpit. Reads my favorite biography about Napolion as well as doing little things on the boat. Simple days that I enjoy.
Arriving Elba
Totally windless day. The engine teased a bit at first, but it worked for 5 hours after all. Arriving at Elba is very nice. It can be hard to understand that Napoleon was so eager to leave Elba. Laid me at anchor. However, it is rather uneasy due to all the ferries' swells. It is very expensive to s...
Pitstop
I made 2 friends in the harbor. One was a dog who became very interested in my spaghetti bolognaise and the other one was an incredibly helpful guy named Antonio. Antonio gave me a lot of good advices about Elba - anchorages, winds, etc. In addition, he offered that I could just call. An offer I wil...
Pisa
A few days in Port di Pisa. Provisioning, petrol and of course Pisa with the Leaning Tower. It is actually really impressive and due to Corona there were not many tourists - but it was really hot. The harbor is fairly new but uncharming. The lack of tourism means that the port is only half full.
Vernazza & Portovenere
Some days in a few Italian gems of small picturesque villages. The coastline has many small villages on the cliffs.
Recorvery
Day 10 -12 Monday was mainly spent in hospital to get a prescription for some medicine for kidney stones, which, however, is only a conjecture. Tuesday was recovery, some repairs and enjoying the small town.
From Idylic to thunderstorm
Day 9 Good sailing to Portofino which is a very nice and idyllic port. Found a place, but when I was informed that the price was 150 Euro per night, I sailed again and sailed to the nearby port of Santamargharita where I anchored with 4-5 other boats. The weather was expected to change to a little r...
Anchor at a little island
Day 8. Windless most of the day. Past Monaco with its atypical skyline and further to a small island where I lay at anchor. Bathed for the first time in the Mediterranean. The water is 27 degrees so it is cool.
Nice
Day 7 Ended up in Nice. Fantastic place. I called over the VHF harbor master to get a place. No answer. Sailed around but found no moring. Then someone waved. It was the harbor master. He had no moring for such a small boat. It would have been different if the boat had been 50 meters long. However,...
Idyllic to modern
Day 6. Left a small idyllic harbor deep inside a narrow fjord. Good wind from the south. Sailed 50 sm and stopped in a modern and expensive port. You can clearly feel that I am approaching Nice, Monaco and Cannes.
National Park south of Marseilles
Day 5. National park south of Marsailles. Dolphins followed me on my way. Archipelago as on the west coast of Sweden - just higher cliffs.
On the way
Day 4 Finally - now I could sail. Cool.
Impatience
Day 3 There were some things with the mast that still presented challenges and that I could not get help for that day. However, at least knew what the problem was and that it would be solved tomorrow.
Challenges
Day 2. Started the day by getting up the mast and managed the different things from yesterday. Later I had to mount the sails and here came the challenges. The front sail could only come half up........... and could not come down after that either. Really bad situation. I need a crane tomorrow to l...
Launching
Day 1 Then it was my turn to get in the water. It got pretty busy getting the mast on as the spare parts for the mast arrived very late. Therefore, I unfortunately have to go up the mast tomorrow and fix some things.
Escursion to Camargue
Met a Danish boat in the harbor, which was supposed to masting as they had just come down through Europe's canals and rivers. I knew the boat from Rungsted, where I spoke to the Captain in March about the family's upcoming trip. It is only a little over 5 weeks ago that it opened up in Germany, so t...
Waiting pisition
After a few days of preparing the boat, I now only wait for the rig to repair some wires. Then the mast must be on board again and the boat in the water. However, there is a bit of a queue as many need to have theirs both in the water and on summer vacation. I have to wait a few days, but it fits we...