With friends on the way to Malta and a fairly tight schedule we had to get underway in less than ideal conditions, the normal Northerly wind decided this week was the week to flip to the South West, directly from Malta.. obviously. Not only that but it was only going to offer 5-10 knots for the vast majority of the next six days interspersed with 25knots off the coast of Italy. Day one went ok, slow sailing in relatively flat conditions. When the wind died we decided a good technique was to just bring in the sails and wait for the wind with no engine on. Not a great idea but with the potential of not enough wind to get there we were concerned she might not have enough in the tank to motor there so stuck with it. Cue sox hours of rolling and slamming from side to side. Lovely. The next days saw a huge increase in wind overnight on night two down to staysail and three reefs in the main and still doing 7.5 knots. Then we got a little luckier and for the final couple days the sea flattened out and 7-10 knots was enough to slide her along at 5 knots. Sailing then became a little more enjoyable! You are not allowed to anchor in Grand Harbour so dropped into St Julian's at 0400 when we arrived. The next morning was spent sleeping then in Malta Happy Hour starts at 1500 and lasts until 1900 so....

After 8 hours of engine and 'sailing' at 3knots and rolling around in the swell we gave in and pulled up at a stunning anchorage on the west coast of Kefalonia. Time to arrive in Malta, 5 days, so the wind better play ball a little more tomorrow!

Slow start due to last nights shenanigans. Tried some wing foiling in the morning, turns out that it is actually pretty hard.. more practice needed. Got underway to meet our friends in Meganisi and after rounding the corner north of Kalamos we were met by westerlies that continually rounded to prevent much progress, standard Ionian winds. Eventually they gave in and we made it over to the particularly stunning island of Meganisi.

Great sail over to Kastos with a new helm taking the reins. Hit 8.2 knots at time as the wind came through the gap south of Meganisi and the forecast of 10 knots was actually a whole lot more. Kastos was super busy but managed to find a spot and spent the evening sampling the Negronis at El.A bar until far too late/early....

Hung around waiting for the wind to kick in, which it did right on cue as is the way in the Ionian. Straight out into 15 knots up to 20 as we reached the island. Close hauled all the way and arrived to "pig beach" where the Nassau meets Greece.... Pretty full anchorage on arrival but found a spot stern to ready to harass the pigs in the morning with selfies and apples.

Started off with an early morning breeze giving way to lake conditions.. drifted for a bit in the vain hope of getting some wind.... No dice so got on the donkey again until the next little cove. Plans this evening for a BBQ with RyanSails. Props to Sea people for making it easy to find who's around!

After a great night stern to on an uninhabited island we dropped by the shipwreck beach and then cruised over to Kefalonia for the next beach bar.... No wind to force 4/5 through the channel.

Had to escape the rolling early before we both gave up sailing for life. Rolled alo g under engine to a stunning little anchorage just to the west of the shipwreck beach. Perfect isolation and crystal clear waters.

Short hop down to the last bit of shelter from the swell before Lagunas. Chilled evening onboard and a little bit of engine work... As usual!

Popped down to Zakynthos is a fairly breezy sail, decided to hide outside the port, bad idea. Pitched all day and rolled all night when the wind dropped. Note to self, "next time just go alongside"... Next day rented out a bike to tour the island and go see that shipwreck. Still confused how that got up there...

Ad a great night's stay at the buoys in front of the host restaurant, fore and aft concrete blocks so what could go wrong.. sampled some Greek Night dancing and then while hanging the washing out noticed the boat had swung around and was bearing down on the boat ten metres behind us. The concrete block was now being floated through the water by Rubias now. Cue some rather quick cutting of the lines and we narrowly missed the boats astern of us. Decided it might be better to go to the beach for a little bit of space....

After a big trip to Athens we hopped back on the boat over to Zakynthos. Cruisy sail under Genoa at 6 knots to the blue caves. A little bit of paradise.

It's a sad day when you need to move by motor but sometimes it's necessary. Today we got up way earlier than our eyes wanted to and moved to a marina for a few day stop to meet my brother in Athens.. three hours on the engine meant a whole bilge full of seawater and a very boring sail but the scenery made up for it. Greece cannot be beaten for ambiance.

No wind to 20 knots following, slow start but a good sail down to a hidden spot out of the swell.. well sort of out of the swell.

Good sail over from Sivota, zero wind to 20 knots. Almost lost the drone trying to get some shots but racked up 7knots at times. Anchoring in Fiskardo proved a little tricky due to the wind in the harbour but nice to see the place empty!

Unfortunately a fair bit of 'jonkel' on this one as very little wind but a little bit of cruising and then a beautiful anchorage to stop at. Pretty steep anchoring location and rather right but well worth it.

Woke up early to the sunrise and a very light Northerly land breeze so sailed off anchor and cruised out on Genoa at 2 knots until the wind died. Drifted for a little swim and haircut then motored onto our first stern to rocks of the season.

Great sail in some gusty conditions, buddy boating with Sailing Sam! Obviously the main sail wouldn't come out and then wouldn't go back in due some new battens being too thick at the ends...

Shakedown sail! Left Ionian Marine and Preveza and headed south to meet up with some friends in Nydri for the Eurovision song contest... Obviously.