We got to Kos at 6pm and found it pretty crowded but we managed to find a place on the wall. Then it was off to the port police, passport police and customs. Everyone was really friendly and helpful and we got out transit log and paid for the night at the wall all relatively easily. Not too much walking involved.

A Greek fish restaurant was our just reward for completing the bureaucratic task list without incident.

That night we were supposed to pick up Karin, our new crew member who was due in at 10 past midnight, but I got the day wrong because it was10 past midnight. Thankfully, Karin eventually found us in the morning and all was well in the end.

With Karin finally on board, we left the wall and anchored off around the corner on the southern side. It turned out to be a lovely anchorage and we explored Kos from there. There was some nice little streets to explore along with the obligatory castle. Kos is famous for a guy called Hippocrates and we saw the tree (supposedly) where he came up with his famous oath. I am not sure however that trees live quite that long. Anyway, Hippocrates must have been a clever bloke, as he spoke often about wine and its numerous health benefits.

Next day, we headed off north to explore. We ended up deciding on a nice bay on east side of Pserimos, a small island just off the coast of Kos. Everything is really close together here. This bay was to die for – we were in Greek Island heaven. Crystal clear water over sand and a deserted beach (give or take the other 10 boats that were there).

We spent a couple of days there, swimming and hiking, before pulling up anchor and heading to Kalymnos, the sponge diving island. Again a short sail, but we got hit by a 35kt meltemi. Three reefs in, we made it into the harbour, where the winds was a much more manageable 20kts and then med moored to the wall. We met Yanni, who organises everything. Power, gas, washing, you name it – he organises it.

That night, we had Sherry and Court arrive – a couple of professional skippers who plied their trade around the med and the Caribbean. We would pick their brains for a week or so as they holidayed on board (as opposed to working on board).

Kalynmos is a very pretty spot, with a monastery overlooking the town. It’s quite mountainous and is known as a great rock climbing venue. Unfortunately a climber died a few days before we got there. It affected the towns folk greatly and there was an air of sadness around.

With the meltemi gone, we set off to explore the rest of the island. Sherry pointed us in the direction of a lovely little bay called Ormos Palionisou (Baia Isolavecchia), where mooring buoys have been put down by the two restaurants at either side of the bay. We got the prime spot right next to the water slide right close to the restaurant. And the restaurant was both cheap and very good –  so the mooring was exceptionally good value. And the bay was beautiful with steep cliffs either side, which attracted climbers as well as yachties. The water was once again clear so swimming was beautiful.

Our cunning plan for the next day was to head round the north of Kalymnos and stop off at a lunch spot on Leros which was right next door. Then we would quickly duck back down to Kalynmos and anchor for the night. However we were outdone by our cunningness (and laziness) and decided the lunchtime bay was so nice that we would just stay there. So goodbye Kalymnos and hello Leros.

For pictures of Kalymnos please see https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10202129600234413.1073741932.1620379103&type=1&l=e7ee7e7a6b.

For pictures of Pserimos please see https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10202129595714300.1073741931.1620379103&type=1&l=e52946163e