Day 296- Arriving at Hydra, Aegean Sea, Greece - 29th May, 2005

We have just arrived at the beautiful Greek island of Hydra aboard our chartered 32 foot Bavaria yacht (see: http://www.bavaria-yachts.com/index_go.htm - click on "models" and then on "32"). We employed a skipper for 2 days and he has now left. I am on this big boat with a scratch crew but with very light winds. God is being good. He needs to be.

We are planning to travel around the islands for the next 6 days. Tomorrow I am drilling the crew in sail up, sail down procedures. They don't even know the difference between fore and aft!

It is very difficult to park the boat around here. You have to drop the anchor, reverse into a slot at the same time as pulling in the anchor to get a hold in the front. Then you have to have your crew members tie you up either side in the aft whilst the strain is taken on the anchor. You have to do this under the watchful eye of a harbour full of Fastnet professionals just itching for you to make a mistake. Man it's a sweat. Just ask the Bubbs. We haven't capsized yet!

Julie fell in the harbour today (just ask the Bubbs). Which was a bit of a shock to her but no surprise to me. She was trying to catch a crab for Julian that was running up the harbour wall. About 6 people sprang to pull her out including the harbourmaster who had already told the boys to be very carefull because the rocks were slippery. Poor Julie. She went right under and she hates to get her face wet. She really was quite shaken but recoverd after a hot shower (this boat has everything - the GPS system is really good fun).

Anyway just a quick post from an internet cafe (I can't get the satelite up-link to work - oh yeah!).

Just a reminder, it's Julie's birthday on 31st May. Any e-mails would be appreciated. We will try to find another harbour that has internet to read them all on the day.

Pray for light winds and no mutiny.