Not much of a first impression of sailing for our friends on their first full day - no wind. At least they got to experience Shiree's Ships Salad, a true voyage of discovery as you dig through each surprise layer!

Oh well, the crew look content.

We love having French friends in our retirement lives. We've made more of an effort to learn French as a result and our friends do the same with English. So much to share over their first meal aboard.

After their overnight stay in gloomy (and seedy) Piraeus, Michel and Michèle arrived via the high speed ferry at 10:30 for their sailing adventure. A casual day followed by a short motor round to our anchorage for the night at Naoussa.

Arrived in Paros as planned by 14:00. Spent the entire afternoon cleaning and preparing for the arrival of our French friends, Michel and Michèle (we call them M&M's :) in the morning by ferry. Plenty of tavernas ashore for our worn out bodies that evening.
And just in good time for our 'land lubber' friends ... the wind dropped that night!

Another day of sailing close to the wind but with a very beautiful stop at the end of it. Astaphalia is an Island we've had on our list for years but never visited. Unfortunately only one night to enjoy this well sheltered (remote) bay. Thoroughly recommend this spot to any other cruisers in the region.

Made a brisk sail over to Tinos in headwinds up to 25 knots. We even found It a bit chilly so wrapped up a bit. Once we arrived we played a bit of musical chairs with the harbour master, who we finally decided meant 'bugger off, we're full up' by his crazy arm waving. Anchored just north of the harbour and ate aboard.

Took a taxi 50 minutes South East of Rhodes to Lindos. Beautiful little village nestled in a valley with a Crusador castle and ancient site. Hobbled around with my right knee and left foot strapped up (and survived :).
One of the highlights was a donkey ride to the top of the hill with the castle and ancient ruins to save me walking. Better still, was to see the donkey owner/drivers 'parked' in the middle of town with their donkeys all tied up in their own building.

Having a combo of rest and recovery for my newly walking foot (and still very painful arthritic big toe on the same foot!) with sight seeing in the amazing city of Rhodes.
Also dodging strong (Meltemi) headwinds while here for at least the next few days as well.
Here's a picture of the entrance to Mandraki Harbour. Was this once the location of the Colosus of Rhodes, one of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World? We'll never know, but it is a great thought to imagine.

Great to be back on the water again. We're motor sailing from Kas to Rhodes today. Only 4 knots of wind on the nose, so mainsail up and motor on. Doing 8knots though, so should arrive at 7pm or there about.
HAPPY!

Made an unplanned stop at Kas to have Mustafa check out the AC and drinking water purifiers. Decided to make check out of Turkey from Kas instead of the previously planned Datça. Here's a fun video as you exit Kas showing just how close Turkey and Greece really are. (I'll link it on YouTube later)