That was yesterday......we walked along the rocky coastline to Almyros beach, (real sand!)just south of the marina. This is a wetland area covered with tall eucalyptus trees, reeds and rushes growing in the fresh-water river flowing into the sea. The freezing cold fresh water comes from a source in the wetland area itself....absolutely lovely.... many species of animals, birds and fish live in the protected zone eg. turtles, eels, heron and other rare waterfowls. We are certainly looking forward to heading inland, out to the green countryside and up to the magnificent plateaus and gorges...so beautiful we believe and not far...I will possibly head off from time to time with the marina 'walking group', who organise an excursion every Friday. But will have to wait, as on the 17th we return to France for 3 weeks.... medical examinations etc, & family. Actually, I have not been back for 2 years, so...... THIS WAS TODAY......NO WIND...GLORIOUS SUNSHINE, WARM.....SO I COULD NOT RESIST SPENDING A FEW HOURS ON THE LOCAL BEACH JUST OUTSIDE THE MARINA.....I EVEN SWAM TWICE, AS WATER TEMPERATURE WAS VERY ACCEPTABLE AND I HATE SWIMMING IN COLD WATER!!! Normally, we should have a very warm week, so I will return tomorrow!
As it will no doubt be much cooler in France.... THANK YOU LORNA AND SIMON....WE REALLY LIKE THIS PHOTO...LAST DAY OF OUR 2014 SAILING SEASON.
I visited Crete way back in the 70s when I was living in London, but so long ago. We have never sailed here before with 'Pacific Pearl', so a first. Since 1960, Agios Nikolaos has grown into a popular international tourist resort....the nearby village of Elounda included. The marina is situated very close to the heart of the town, near main archaeological sites and other places of interest.....to discover! There is a small sandy beach just beside the marina, with crystal clear water, which is very convenient, as many people, locals and yachties, are still swimming every day.....bravo....water too cold for us! We are well into preparing the boat for winter....washing sails, sheets, in fact everything outside.....before we start on the inside. The intermittent rain is not helping us though! Plenty of work to keep us busy busy, plus catching up with friends! We arrived with beautiful conditions, but rapidly changed for the worst...anchored in the Spinalonga lagoon, we registered 48 knots of wind one Sunday afternoon, but I only managed the above photo of wind speed.
As our windlass is très fatigué!, we did not move too much, but managed to remain well dug in with 50 metres of chain out in 4 - 4.5 metres of water! OOFF! The gusts were extremely violent, with many above 40 knots, settling into 30 - 35 for most of the day. |
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June 2019
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