Serifos
We headed for Paros and the waves got bigger and the waves got bigger and the waves got bigger. They were coming at us over the port rail and flooding us more than we have been flooded since Ecuador so we headed for Serifos. Every island in Greece is a beautiful experience, though except that we were supposed to meet with an agent in Paros to get our anchor fixed. We could have just kept on going, in fact, we turned a couple of times trying to decide if we really were such weinies or not. We decided we were when the spreaders were getting a little closer to the waves and objects in the boat including the people were having trouble trying to decide whether port or starboard was most comfortable. It gave us about a 5 hr. respite from the Aegean. Tomorrow, we will try again for Paros and parts for the Maxwell Windlass.
The wind was only 30 to 35 but the waves were suddenly appearing as if by magic right off Grace's beam. They would leap over the rail trying to play snatch and grab and be off to Crete. I would brace my feet and grab for anything that wasn't tied down as Gracie did the Hokey Pokey. Thankfully, she didn't turn herself around.
Everytime we make a detour, we meet new and wonderful people and see more wonderful islands. Serifos looks like serrated rock rising from the Aegean, but dazzlingly, white houses cling to her sides right to the top. There are steps which connect the road as it winds up and up so you can climb partially on the road and partially on the steps. The bay in which the marina is located is surrounded by beaches. Greece is a perfect vacation spot because we find the accommodations and the food is worth more than the asking price.
We were thinking about heading for Turkey without fixing the windlass, but after Jerry and I had lifted the anchor twice by hand, and he lay on the cockpit seat exhausted, we decided we needed that windlass. Gracie's 3/8 inch chain is he-e-e-avy. After we came in this bay, we tried to use the anchor on a rope rode which wouldn't cut through the grass so Jerry had to pull it up twice while I was driving. That is enough to drive him over the edge because I am always afraid when we get down to 3 ft. I should just say, "What the heck! If it's sand, it's a soft landing." He says, "Just do as I say then it will be my fault if we land suddenly.". I tell him unfortunately for him, he married a thinking woman. Not clearly, but thinking.
After friends helped us into the marina, we had to pull up the anchor that holds us in the marina 3 times. Once, a power boat went roaring over it and caught it on his prop, once it wouldn't set, and the final time when it did set. This morning the boat next to us left and caught our line on his anchor. He got it off and back down, but when Jerry went out to check it, he had cut almost all the way through the rode. We cut the rode and reattached it. Meanwhile, Jerry had to lift the anchor 3 more times. Wonder has its price. Thankfully, we're not in Ivan's way.
As Doris would say,"Ka-sir-rah-sir-rah!" I'm sure that's not the way she spelled it.
xoxoxoxo
- September 15, 2004