All delivery passages combined

The google map gives an indication of the passage.

Beirut - Thursday

Landing in Beirut was really an interesting experience. From midnight we had the Israeli navy questioning all ships. They did not question us however.

At about 04.00 a United Nations warship made contact with us and we completed the radio questionnaire and proceeded to a position 12 nm offshore and called Oscar Charlie (Beirut Radio) who then asked us the same questions as the UN and then requested us to proceed to a position 3 nm off Ras Beirut.

At this point we were cleared to proceed to the Movenpick Marina.

Most of the rest of the morning was taken up with immigration and customs.

This morning I went for x-rays as my rib is still really sore, and found out I fractured the 9^th rib. This explains the pain.

Nick sms’d me to say that both he and Demetris landed safely at Larnaca airport so it seems that the delivery adventure is over, and it is now back to the real world.

Thanks to everyone who helped make the delivery a success.

Beirut

So we are here. Arriving at dawn after a night at sea.

I would like to share 2 videos with you. One a video of SAGA at sea and the other of the dolphins swimming freely in the sea.

Both these videos were shot from from SAGA during the journey.

 

Dolphins off Paphos

As I just mentioned we are off the tip of Cyprus, and just witnessed a great show put on by a school of dolphins.  They are so graceful as they scythe through the water playing with the currents created by Saga.

The crystal clear seas helped in getting some great pics.

Paphos

 07.00

We are currently just of Paphos, and will be in Beirut early tomorrow. 

Leaving for Beirut

Monday 10.00

I was so impressed with this jewel of an Island, that I lifted the overview from their local website to share with you. I hope you enjoy reading the official overview as much as I have enjoyed spending the last 24 hours here. One word of caution. If you are refueling here beware of the pump attendant. He has an inflated view of the value of his services.

"At the south easternmost edge of Greek dominion, spreads out the calm and beauty of Kastellorizo. The islands lies 72 miles east of Rhodes, 328 nautical miles from the port of Piraeus and only 2 kms from the Turkish coastline. Its total surface is 9 sq. kms, its coastline is 19 kms and it has a population of 450 inhabitants.

On this small island that beholds a glorious past, you will truly feel you are standing right on the trade crossroad of Europe and Asia, as the Asian coastline is only 2 nautical miles away. Kastellorizo is an island with a rich nautical tradition that explains the noble air about the island that reflects its part glory and prosperity. Kastellorizo is the harbor and only settlement of the island and it is said that it is the best natural port of the Mediterranean. All of the islands inhabitants are gathered here, in the little districts of Pigadia, Chorafia and the little picturesque port of Mandraki.

The painted in vivid colors two and three story renovated mansions, spread along the harbourline offering an unrivalled amongst other islands beauty. Just behind them lies an impressive red rock that gave the island its actual name (Castello Rosso, Castellorizo). On this little hill lie the remains of the deserted now ancient castle of the island. The island has been proclaimed to be a preservable settlement and it offers the visitor the beauty of an idyllic landscape and the nostalgia of past glory. Due to the lack of any other settlement, there is no public transport on the island. You will visit the island of foot via by following the natural footpaths, or by boat, which is a good alternative transport means. Nearby the island’s port there are coasts ideal for swimming (Faros, Plakes, Mandraki) – the coasts of the litlle islets of Ro, Aghios Georgios and Stroggili are also very nice. For those of you who are visiting the island with your own boat, there is a gas refuel station on the port."

 

 

Pictures of Nicks trawler under construction

As promissed in a previous post here they are. He takes delivery July

Sunday 24th – A day in Paradise

After mooring the order of the day was:-

Coffee – Greek style

Walk and swim

Lunch – Calamari and octopus

Sleep, catching up after our harassment from the Turkish warships on a night exercise

Now we are sitting on deck, listening to Cuban music, smoking a cigar and toasting Laurens success with a bottle of Moet and Chardon. Thanks MSK.

A little later we will have dinner, turn in, tomorrow we leave early for the 2 - 3 day passage to Beirut. 

Valgelis restaurant

On the pier. This is heaven. Bokkie you must come with me here once we get the boat. They even have cats.

Sitting on the pier directly on the edge of the harbour having lunch. Calamari and octopus.

Poros to Meyisti

15.00 Sat 23^rd May

A little sailing, a little motoring. We are just off the island of Kos. Our course for the next few hours will see us threading our way through the surrounding islands in the direction of Rhodos. It has been a calm day so far. Our stomachs are full, and I am sure that we will all take a short nap over the next few hours.

18.00 Lovely afternoon. 18 knots of wind on the beam. The yanmar diesel faithfully pursues her target of port. The sea is calm and we should make port early tomorrow morning. We have seen a few yachts, ferries and a number of cargo vessels. We are running along the Turkish coast about a mile inside Turkish waters, but will soon leave them as we head towards our next Target, Rhodos. We expect to pass Rhodos around 23.00.

20.30. We have just finished supper. Tried for a signal, but alas none. Will try later near Rhodos.

Sunday 10.00 We have just reached Meyisti or Kastelorizo. This is the last of the Greek Islands. We plan to stay here 1 day and then, God willing, take SAGA staight to Beirut. 

Sat 10.48

Thursday night we decided to have an early night. Well it did not turn out that way. We stopped at our friendly café for a beer and internet, and then went on to Demitras family tavern. Run by the proprieter and his children, all 8 of them. Back to saga via the internet café for some more passage weather and then further down the quay an ice cream. 01.30 Friday back on board.

Friday 11.00 we started to cast off. Somehow we had managed to catch another anchor and some ropes. I think this is a ploy by local divers to get you to use their services to untangle the spiders web of  rope and chain in the channel. However some extreme yoga by our intrepid Captain hanging off the bow and a wasted 40 minutes got us untangled.

During Friday we managed a fair amount of sailing and have taken a northerly route through the islands. The sea was busy, with many ships and requires a sharp look out.

Sat 06.30 - The sun has just come up, and it looks like another great day. We will need to stop somewhere today for fuel as we have motored all night, and I believe we will then push on whilst the weather is favourable. I have no signal now on 3g so will post this a little later on.

Nicks boat

Our new crew member is busy planning a gap decade. It seems that, (ask no questions) he has at the tender age of 32 got himself in a position that he has purchased a Nordhavn 47 and is planning to take delivery in a July in the UK. 

He will then motor down to Cyprus, and then get familiar with the vessel before setting of for the Caribbean.

Demetris has taken him under his wing, and is busy training him up to skipper level as he is planning to go alone with his with wife and 8 year old son.

The boat is currently under construction in China and will be shipped to Southampton where it will have its electronics fitted. Demetris and Nick plan to deliver in August. Nick is really stressed. Don’t worry Nick our Captain will get us there fine.

Poros has been interesting. It seems like Demetris and Nick are honary citizens. They seem to have made a big impression in the past. Walking down the main road we stop and chat to every second person. They seem like 2 prodigal sons returning home. Andreas, George and Mary just to mention a few who have greeted us,

Well we are off to supper to finalise our planning. It looks like we are only planning to leave on Saturday really early and possibly only make 1 stop in Turkey before Beirut. Sorry Bokkie I might not see you in Cyprus on the way back.

Kephallinia to Poros

17.00 25 knots of wind on the nose!! 

As we were leaving the local fishing fleat was returning.

The day started out as a perfect beach day, windless and warm, we are now motoring with every second wave or so crashing over the bow.

In the distance we can see a really impressive bridge that I understand we will pass under. I will get some snaps if it is still light and post.

The good news is Nick has a passion for food, and has taken over the galley from Bisher. Lunch was a good pasta, and supper looks like it will be gourmet sandwiches.

I am going to need to learn some Greek fast. It seems the official language on SAGA has changed from English to Greek. Our spirits are up, and Nick has fitted in well.

Thursday 09.15

Corinth Canal to Poros

We had a good nights passage. We passed through the Corinth Canal at about 04.00 and have motored all the way from there to Poros despite a steady tail wind. The boats motion reminds me of the Marina in Messina.

We are all looking forward to coffee and breakfast in Poros.

13.30 Poros

First we moored on the main road and filled with diesel, but decided due to bad weather, to move further down the bay.

After a hairy mooring process that involved anchoring and reversing into a berth with a 25 knot cross wind we are at last at Nicks favourite bar. Latini. I am told the spinach pie is good. Lets hope so. We are waiting 15 minutes for fresh pie!! This is a Cyprus 15 minutes and is more like 30. but this is Greece and we are here all day. Ah here it is. It smells gooooood.

We have had our beer and pie and Captain has gone to sleep. The crew, Nick and I are enjoying a leisurely break. 

Attached are a few pics and a video from this passage.

PS the pie was good

Trip so far

Thanks to Richard who has taken my spot transmissions and overlayered onto this image

Kephallinia

I am told that this is the island where the movie Captain Corelli’s Mandolin was filmed. I t is a pretty place, and the bay we are in Argostoli is sheltered. There are a number of yachts in the bay seaking shelter from the storm. If the weather is to be believed we should be leaving tomorrow.

Our passage will take us via the Corinth Canal to Poros.

Marwan and Bisher have left SAGA and our new crew member Nick has settled in well. We bought some provisions this afternoon and are waiting to take on water.

 Appologies for the lack of pictures but the connection is via GPRS. I am taking and will share later.

We plan to have a supper and an early night.

Argostoli - Greece

We made land at about 04.00. We all crashed for a few hours sleep.

Our new crew member Nic joined us today and Marwan and Bisher will leave later this afternoon.

Our plan is to leave tomorrow. Will update more later.

 

Last note from Messina

This will be the last post for a few days. We will be out of contact for some time.

Getting ready to sail for Greece

15.30 Sunday 17^th May

We have just finished lunch. The course is plotted, the dishes are done and hopefully within the next 30 minutes we will be underway.

Italy, Greece beckens us. Alas we must say farewell.

Sat 16^th

 Palermo

 We set of early to extend the care rental by another day and then MSK, Bisher and I decided to explore Palermo. Total driving for the day was 625kms.

 I need to mention a few words on the road in Sicily. These roads, other than those downtown Messina, are either as wide as footpaths or they are amazing motorways. The motorway, or autstrade as it is known here between Messina and Palermo needs a special mention. It is dramatic to say the least. It is 250 kms of a series of tunnels and high bridges carved through mountainsides and spanning high valleys. I looked on the net for a picture and the one I found does no justice to this truly amazing modern monument of the human beings ingenuity in overcoming obstactles.

Talking about monuments. The journey and especially Palermo provided a continuous spectre of ancient walled cities, castles, churches and statues.

We had lunch in Palermo overlooking the Marina, and then headed on down to the the peninsula behind Palermo. Mondello. Here we had our daily walk. About 3 kms today. Nice local seaside town. Not sure if it is because the won the world cup, or it is why they won the world cup, but at every turn kids were playing football on the beach. We have seen this wherever we go in Italy.

We then spent a hour downtime. An interesting area was close to the art gallery where we found the streets all named in Italian, Arabic and Mexican. (J).

Sunday 17^th

Well today we hope to get away towards Greece, so I will not make a post for some time.

Sat 16th. another day in Messina.

Update on Friday!! 

The day time weather in Messina was great. Offshore however seemed another story. passagweather.com was telling us to say in port. By late evening the gale hit us in the Marina full force. The shrouds were screaming and all the boats in the Marina were rocking violently,

The day started with MSK suggesting breakfast at 08.30. Well this turned out to be an 11 hour vent. Order of the day:-

Coffee

Rent a Car

Go exploring

Go shopping

Get back from breakfast at sunset

 

Wow. A long day.

Some real nice highlights included the charming village of  Taormina with its ancient castles, monastery and amphitheatre. Nestled on the slopes of a mountain overlooking Mount Etna.

We are here for the day today at least, and are busy making plans on how to spend our time. We are not 100% sure but departure tomorrow looks a possibility.

Yesterday - la la la so far away

Messina Thursday

A relaxing day spent wandering around this strange city. It has a small town feel to it but unlike the other Italian towns we have visited this city is full of large buildings and wide boulevards. Lots of people on the street, but not gathering in the true Mediterranean way.

Marwan, Bisher and I did a little shopping, and last night attended a jazz evening at the yacht club in the marina.

Today will definitely be spent here, and lets hope tomorrow the promised window opens and we can slip across to Greece. Right now this seems unlikely as the weather window seems to only open up.

Messina - the wind is blowing and we are hiding in the marina

The above chart shows an indication of the wind here.

We woke up to a rocking boat. All you mothers rocking your babies stop now!! This is not the way to sleep.

Capri to Messina

A good night sleep on board at Capri, and an early start. The fuel depot opens at 08.30 (ha ha). Around 08.50 the attendant sauntered up and served up the juice we needed. SAGA is using 6 litres per hour and averaging 7knots under motor. We have had no wind to speak of.

We bought some great tomatoes, fresh bread and some eggs to supplement our plentiful supplies for the passage to Messina. We had motored all day on a mirror like sea, and around 18.00 we stopped the motor and had a swim. It feels strange swimming 50 miles offshore and 1000 meters to the bottom.

We have just witnessed a shoal of what we think are tuna, being chased by what we know are dolphins. A dolphin came right up to our starboard side. Less than a meter.

We are planning to have pasta with a sauce and some freshly steamed broccoli for dinner which should be served in about 30 minutes.

01.00 14th

Just woke up from a quick 4 hour nap.

We are currently passing by Stromboli. This is an active volcano, and whilst eruption sounds dramatic, that is what it is doing. Spitting golden yellow orange bursts of lava up and then falling down the mountain. We also have the moon, just past full, rising out of the sea on our port bow.

02.00 14^th

Bisher has just gone for some rest and Marwan has come up to join me.

06.30 14^th

We have just entered the straits of Mesina. Passing Cape Peloro to starboard. We are all up on deck, waiting to arrive,

We expect to reach Messina around 07.00.

Capri - Home of the rich and famous

Tuesday 12^th 

We landed in Capri this morning. Definitely a place that needs exploring.

After settling SAGA at her moorings we had a leisurely coffee on the wharf  of Marina Grande and then travelled across the island by means of the Funicular and a walk of about 2 kms down the other side of the mountain.

Capri is charming, elegant and sophisticated, yet it still has a certain quaintness. After a bracing swim we had lunch at a restaurant on the rocks, and then returned to the Marina Grande. This time however we took the bus to the town of Capri.

We are planning to leave for Messina tomorrow morning by noon

Off to Capri

Monday 11.37 am, 11am

We have just left port. and are off to Capri, we think.

Breakfast at a nice cafe on the Marina, filled the tanks with water and did our first washing.

Tomorrows weather

Its looking good for a run down to Messina this week.

SAGAs epic voyage - legs 1 and 2

10.30pm. 

We are still at the Marina, and will leave tomorrow around noon. The order of the evening was a traditional Italian dinner, followed up by cigars on the deck.

Sunday morning 10^th 04.13am

Bisher and I are on watch. We passed Elba at 12.35am and are now heading south.

The seas are calmer and SAGA is riding well. The yanmar diesel is running well at a little over 2000 revs. The wind is still on the nose as it has been for most of the trip. We have a small part of the main unfurled, more for stability than anything else.

Yesterday we cooked our first real hot meal on board. Bisher worked the stove, and I stood by giving suggestions. He did not seem to mind, and the result was really good.

Late afternoon Saturday saw a few hours of real sailing, and the wake in the picture above gives you an idea of just how well SAGA performs under sail. The satisfied look on MSKs face shows he is well please with her.

If all goes to plan we are expecting to make a brief daylight call for fuel and then head for Capri. Lets hope we break our record of 8 hours in port set in St Maxime.

Today in SA is mothers day so mom if you read this happy mothers day.

It is now 5.30pm Sunday

We spent the day at Marina Cala Galera see www.marinacalagalera.com  Some running repairs were required. Captain D went up the mast twice, and we needed to make an adapter for the power lead.

We are all pretty bushed after 2 nights at sea so the rest of the day spent resting and we seem to breaking the record.

More news later from SAGA.

Midnight dash

Friday 08 th and Saturday 09^th

An interesting fact is that Friday was a public holiday in France to commemorate the end of WW2. We passed an impressive naval fleet parading down the coast. We would like to think that it was to wish SAGA bon voyage, but alas it was not us being honoured. It was the fallen heroes of our fathers and grandfathers generations. We also found out that Mr President was on board, but alas not Carla.

After a great first passage from Canet to St Maxime, we refuelled and tied up at mooring 1000 in the Marina. This was our first stern facing Marina as a team. We got it right, but not first time. Communication between us improving, and with time we will be a slick unit. 

We cleaned the SAGA and settled in for 2 or 3 days. St Maxime is a gorgeous town. There was a Harley rally in town, and there were 10 000 Harleys expected. We had dinner at an Italian restaurant, and then a slow cigar and drinks in a very vibey part of town. We got back to SAGA at 11.45. Demetris checked the weather to see if we where staying for 2 or 3 days and basically said guys, we go now or stay a long time. By this time mentally we were prepared for bed. What the hell we decided, and by midnight we were off. Off to Elba. It is now 13 hours since we left and we can see the snow clad mountains of Corsica in the distance.

We are expecting to make landfall at 6.00am tomorrow Sunday.

ILE DE PORQUEROLLES

Saga III  passing through the passage between the French mainland and ILE DE PORQUEROLLES

The seagulls view

Demetris is the man. He took this pic from the top of the mast after Bisher and I winched him up.

Reflections. Dont look back. We have a long voyage ahead.

Reflections. At night and in the morning taken from SAGA III whilst birhed in Canet marina