There is always a “next big blow” coming, so we waxed and wained about going further N up the Evia channel (between mainland Greece near Athens and Evia Island), or back to Poros. The weather reports were changing daily too, so when we left Kithnos and headed for Kea, it looked like we would have some sailing breeze to get us up there. After spending the night anchored by ourselves in “Bee hive Bay” again on southern Kea, the wind prediction had changed, with a 3 day Meltemi due that evening. We decided to head back to Poros which had good protection, and where we knew we could top up the fuel and get some of that excellent chewy bread again. It would also be a full day of good sailing breeze.
The sailing was excellent for the first 2/3 of the trip across, then started getting too light and variable to stay ahead of the sail changes. We motored into Poros and immediately noticed the influx of boats, reminding us that it was now high season. The best protection was up in the N end of the bay, as far from town as you could get. Only a couple of charter boats ventured that far, and there was plenty of room and good holding for all. This end of the bay had a samll ski boat resort on one side with a slalom course set up. There were granite bluffs back dropping a “U” shaped valley with extensive marshes at the bottom, and a township on the slopes. The setting was almost like being on a Swiss lake. That first night we had a distant lightening show which we enjoyed from the trampoline, and a pretty good rain shower that did a good job of cleaning off the salt and dust.
The next morning we did a dry run to the town quay to fuel up, but the dock was full and the wind was gusting over 20 knots. We aborted the mission and returned to our old spot in the N anchorage and did some much needed boat mainenance. I think Todd serviced winches and I cleaned the bilges. That night was a glorious full moon which was a huge orange globe rising just to the E of the lights of Poros. (Sadly the photo’s didn’t come out).
Finally, Thursday morning the wind abated and we pulled up and side tied to the quay where the big yachts normally tie up. Todd called the fuel guy we had met on our last visit “Spiro”, and he arrived 5 minutes later and got us fueled up at 1.40 a liter. 307 Liters later, and we were off to the W side of the bay closest to town. Now that the charter boats had headed out there were more spots to choose from. Next was the usual divide and conquor; Todd to Customs ( which was closed),and Port Police, me to the grocery store. After much needed swims, lunch, and a quick nap, it was back to shore and a return to the Customs office (still closed), before catching up with Polaris for a cold beverage and Captains meeting. Tomorrow we would continue around the Saronic and Eastern Peloponnisos.