We leave smelly Methena at about 7.30am and have a very pleasant motor sail till lunch time. The wind is from the NE / NW up to 15 knots, just perfect for our Easterly bearing and we are averaging 7.5 knots.
As we round the southern mainland down from Athens we are hit by the Meltemi at gusts of 40 knots (gale force) and we were not really prepared. The Bimini feels like its going to take off when the wind gets under it. We are not going to make it to Kea now as the winds are too stong for us to proceed and plan B heading for Olympic Marina is a no go as well.
We retreat to a little bay and drop anchor to make our yacht ready for the weather and decide what to do next. We remove the Bimini and tie down everything and anything on the deck. Everything down below is already stowed away. Plan C is to head for a marina heading north towards Athens on the mainland.
As we leave the bay it's still gusting to 40 knots and I mange to walk into the bimini frame, now I have a third eye and bruising all down my nose. Anyway we are looking forward to being tied down in a marina in an hour or so. We are heading for the Marina at Vouliagmeni; unfortunately although there is room we are told this marina is not for us. We are not a $200,000,000 super yacht so go somewhere else.
Disappointed we turn away and then have to decide what next? Our next best bet is another marina further north, at this rate we will soon be in Athens! We arrive at the Glifadha Marina and head for the biggest one, yet again there is now room for us. So we really are going to Athens!
Plan E is the Marina at Kalamaki, not really Athens but much too close for our liking, we have back tracked at least 25 nautical miles by now. We are really hoping there is room in the Marina. It has 1000 berths and mainly supports the numerous charter companies. After trying a few spots on the pontoons and told to move we finally find a gap and can tie off for the night, thank god!
We have to then visit the Marina Office and the Port Police. Once all the admin has been taken care off we find the closet restaurant for some well deserved cold drinks and a meal. The food tastes really good!
After our hot showers it's bed time and we are looking forward to a good nights sleep; as we are spending two nights here we don't have to get up real early. Tomorrow is maintenance day so we can take it easy and recover.
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