IN CYPRUS AT LAST EN-ROUTE FOR EGYPT

Friday 19th October

We reached Cyprus, together with "Fat Annie" after a 150 mile passage and one night at sea (Pixi's mum's first ever!). Paphos was our entry port but there was not really any space for two yachts let alone the seven expected for the Red Sea group.

A BRIEF SOJOURN IN TURKEY EN-ROUTE FOR CYPRUS

Tuesday 16th October
Robert and Jill Watson on "Fat Annie" had left Rhodes to go direct to Cyprus but had encountered the same strong winds that drove us to Kas and so diverted to Kekova Roads in Turkey. We met them there and also found Tricia and Geoff Hodson of "Amethyst" there. The lovely new Amel "Cerise", owned by Terry and Margaret was also in the bay. Bill had to go up the mast to cure our masthead light and took the camera up with him.

INTSOMI STARTS THE TREK SOUTH TO EGYPT

Monday 15th October
After reaching Rhodes, Pixi's mum decided to stay with us all the way to Cyprus. We left Rhodes for a brief stay in Turkey and had an amazing sail to Kas with winds gusting to 50 knots and Intsomi surfing down the waves at over 12 knots. We chilled out the morning after and had a good look around the town with its quiet park and old houses.

PIXI'S MUM SAMPLES THE "CRUISING LIFE"

Sunday 30th September
A longish and rather lively leg brought us to Paros and the big bay of Naousa. We tucked into the North West corner and sat out the Melttemi for five nights altogether.
The rocks around us were weathered into the most fantastic shapes.
We rented a car and toured the island with Freda and were rather taken with the narrow alleys of Paroikia, the capital. The church there is one of the oldest in the world and is beautifully decorated. Freda was very impressed with the knarled olive trees we saw while driving.

Tuesday 25th September
We arrived in Athens (actually Pireaus) and decided to try the Zea marina for a change. It was a good call and we much preferred it to Kalamaki. Pixi’s mum Freda Parker joined us on Friday 28th September for a short holiday and a break from the rather cold fall weather in England. We had a lovely meal on her first night and set of in bright sunshine and with little wind, a calm sea on Saturday 29th for Kithnos.