Home again

On Saturday 23 August we left Pethi just before 7 and motor-sailed to Cnidos, on the far Southwestern tip of Turkey, arriving about 10.30. Cnidos was one of the great cities of the ancient world but was destroyed by an earthquake and evacuated. The site is only partly excavated but the view from the bay and the atmosphere walking around the ruins is wonderful. As we were undocumented immigrants we decided to anchor off, rather than going on the jetty.

Sergio arrived an hour or so later and went alongside the jetty, so Kai asked that we should do so too. We surprised Kai next morning, who had already proved himself an excellent oarsman rowing across to see Sergei,

when we decided it would be more convenient and worth the 20 euro charge to go alongside. On Saturday afternoon we took Kai around the remains of the ancient city. As usual, he was very reluctant to come but when we got there he declared that it was awesome, really appreciating the historical significance of the site

and finding it perfect for parcours as he leaped across the stones with no custodians to stop him.

We had both lunch and dinner in the excellent little restaurant.
We stayed, chilling, in Cnidos on Sunday and in the evening we were invited to dinner with Sergio and his family, with an excellent collection of hors d'oeuvres and a delicious Spaghetti Matriciana.

We left early on Monday morning to motor up to Kos, into a force 5 wind on the nose. We had expected Sergei to follow us, but Kai received a Snapchat message from Gaia to say that they had gone to Nissiros, rather than battle the wind and waves. We stayed in Kos marina and at Kai's request had an excellent dinner in the marina restaurant, which we had never been to before because we had assumed it would be bad and expensive.
On Tuesday morning we set off early on a wet and windy (force 5-6) beat to Paleonisos, arriving at midday. When we went below we found that the anchor locker and forepeak hatch had leaked with the water constantly washing over the bow and the sheets and mattress were soaked. To our surprise and joy Sergio arrived from Nissiros a couple of hours later as we were having lunch at the beach cafe. After lunch the girls came over and played Cluedo with Kai. When they went back to their boat we had dinner and Kai then kept us up playing Cluedo late into the night. I rashly said that we would play until Kai failed to win a game. In fact, through the evening and the next day Kai just kept on winning. Just once he failed, when he made a false accusation.
We had a quiet day on Wednesday, reading and playing Cluedo, and in the evening we went to the taverna for a farewell dinner with Sergio and his women. We were going our separate ways the next day, as we were going to Lakki and they were going to Xerokampos, so we said our farewells and went off to bed.
On Thursday 28th we set off for Lakki, with the wind as usual on the nose. This time we motored as Lin was anxious to get the first load of washing into the laundry. We arrived about 10.30 and tied up on the town quay - our favourite spot was taken by another smuggler's yacht that had been impounded by the coastguard. Apparently 100-200 refugees had arrived yesterday.
P.S. our video of the Theodorakis concert has now been uploaded to youtube.