WHERE ARE WE ANNE?: LIPSI LAYOVER

Guests, Gusts, Getting Older and Gushing Fine Blue Powder.

The log says we've stuck around the Lipsi quay for 12 days. Some of that was sheltering from the annoyingly excessive Meltemi wind gusts and watching for a weather window. Some of that was waiting for two lots of guests to arrive. Some of that was having fun on my birthday. Some of that was waving off guests on the ferry, some was boat jobs, some was in no rush and the last day was because Anne threw herself down the companionway carrying two bags of laundry, landed heavily on the fire extinguisher and managed to break the pin and squirt fine blue powder over herself and the boat. Severely winded and spluttering, she was unwrapped from the fire extinguisher and dragged out of the powder to clear air above deck. This time we had another Australian doctor named Mike on hand from 'Skedaddle Again'. A cracked rib was considered unlikely but the captain called an extra day quayside for recuperation and vacuuming. Anne seems to be much better although very tender. The carpet needed a vacuum anyway and we now know the fire extinguisher works well.

Lipsi is a nice island. Not over run with tourists and plenty of diversions from whatever you were meaning to do. We've taken on three guests here, Anne's brother Doug and Larry and Miwa from Brisbane who made it to help celebrate my 60th birthday. We've been swimming everyday though the water temp is still on the chilly side at 18o-19oC. Throw in some bike rides, walks and being ever vigilant for new neighbours reversing in alongside, our days have been full. In fact quayside life is always exciting, there are always crossed anchors or someone's tricky or outrageous mooring manoeuvre to take your attention.

The 'Meltemi' wind picks up in the afternoon and typically blows about 20-25kts with gusts up to 40 knots. Some nights it dies down, others it just blows and blows. Last year the Meltemi was not too bad. This year it seems to be making up for last year's poor performance which is the main reason we have been here so long.

I turned 60 on Lipsi. We all had a great day cycling the island, swimming and tasting some very passable Greek sparkling with my birthday dinner at Dalaila's Taverna, a lone taverna on Katsadia Bay overlooking the sheltered anchorage. Very special spot.

Alan on 'Jalano' joined us in Lipsi from Didim in Turkey where he was having teak work done after an unfortunate smouldering incident involving a mosquito coil. We said goodbye to Lipsi and motored with 'Jalano' in little wind but a confused sea the short distance to Arkhangelos, a very beautiful island anchorage. So nice to be on anchor again!