14 August 2013, End of sailing

In order to get to the island Aegina, where the boat would be lifted up on land, early enough before the meltemi would set in, we got up already at 06:00. We prepared everything with the boat in case of a stuck anchor (which we suspected since the holding had been so good) so we would be able to handle a situation with as little delay as possible. We had even got a phone number to a diver the previous evening. But to our surprise we had no problem getting up the anchor. What a relief! And what an anchor!

No wind at all, so we headed north towards Aegina by motor. We reached Planaco shipyard, which lies on the north coast of Aegina, around 11 o clock and there still was little wind. Contrary to the neighbooring shipyard, Planaco has a breakwater for moderate winds so it was easy to moor at the shipyard. Very friendly personnel and while while we were arranging all papers and formalities the boat was taken up on shore.

Next step was to visit the port police in Agina town some kms away to get a lift permit. Back to the boat the hard and time consuming work of taking down and packing sails, lines, sprayhood and bimini. Preparations for the winter. 

We stopped the work at seven o’ clock and had a lovely dinner at the simple local tavern close to the shipyard. A good night`s sleep in the boat on land and then continuing the work tomorrow morning.

This was probably the ending of sailing 2013. The rounding of Peleponesos that never came about due to the strong winds. Perhaps we can do this on the way back westwards instead, but another year. It is much easier and comfortable to sail with instead of against the wind. We have something more to look forward to.