Arrival in Crete

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Yesterday we wore woken at 6am with the alarm as we needed to leave Santorini early to make the most of the day as we had 80 miles to get to Crete!

Bleary-eyed and having not even brushed our teeth we left the mooring and sailed on a beam reach with the mainsail and gennaker. Another beautiful day with clear blue skies, hot burning sun and reaching our highest record so far of 9.9 knots as we whistled along the waves towards the island of Crete.

One of the main highlights was some homemade lemonade that we had made which went down really well with Soda water or still water along with some ice that was given to us by a neighbouring boat. One of the drawbacks of a watermaker is that water tastes of nothing and adding some lemon adds just a little taste to it and makes it pallatable.

We all had a little sleep en route although I (Lisa) was lucky enough to be woken by my youngest son! We eventally arrived in Souda Bay in Crete at about 8.30pm when all we could think of was food and a cold bottle of wine. So we quickly sorted out the boat and took the dinghy to a beachfront resturant where we had fresh sardines and red snapper, with of course a greek salad (which seems to come with everything) as does the clear liqour that was also complimentary.

It was sad for Grandpa as this was the last sailing day aboard Fabiola as she will be sold either back in the Med or back in the UK. But it was an amazing sail and Fabiola was on top form, smashing through the waves and making short work of a long journey.

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Comments

[Peter & Jane]

Looks fantastic
Look at you all - envy envy envy!!

[Jackie Plowman]

Sounds truly idylic - looking forward to the next instalment. Jackie x

[Charlie]

I WILL write very soon!!!!!
Lovely to read your blogs and see your progress. I will write in more detail this week when I have more time but loads of love and thoughts to you all. Xxxxxx

[Duncans Ahoy]

Hello you
Dear Charlie - it would be so lovely to hear your news. Lisa was talking about you the other day and then she had a small emotional wobble! She misses you loads especially when we listen to Cara Emerald. The boys have met some other kids but miss the girls still. We are having fun but there are some considerable challenges in technology and equipment that is pretty old and frail, otherwise all ok. Now in Sicily - it is lovely. Gill and Lisa xxx

[Charlie Pascoe]

Dear All Firstly, massive apologies for the delay in writing properly! I have thought of you every day, we talk of you often and the girls have been working out where you will be on google maps, but every time I put fingers to keyboard something happens to take me away for a few seconds and the moment has gone. Anyway - no more excuses - how are you all??? From reading your blogs, it sounds like it hasn\'t been all rosy with the technical stuff on board but the scenery and experiences that you are having will hopefully outweigh this, it looks stunning from the pictures you\'ve posted. Life back here has been busy as usual and we are all well. We have had a few visitors but not been too manic and spent nearly 2 weeks being glued to the television, swept up in Olympic fever which really did seem to take a hold on the whole of the UK. It\'s always a juggle with work and the girls but as usual we are coping and mum and dad had them all for a whole week last week which was great. They had a ball and it allowed Rob and I to concentrate on work without having any time constraints plus try and attack the forest that has become our garden. The rain hasn\'t really disappeared but there has been some sun in between - hardly beach weather though unfortunately! It also gave me an opportunity to clean the house from top to bottom. I hired a Rug-Doctor carpet cleaner and cleaned all the carpets and rugs only for the sitting room and Jessica\'s bedroom to then smell like cat\'s piss for the next 4 days whilst the wool carpets dried properly - not really what I had in mind but I think the smell has almost gone. You can imagine the mileage that Rob got out of that one!!! We are now beginning the countdown to back to school and getting all the boring stuff out of the way - uniforms, name labels, rugby boots, trainers, sports bags - the list for Clyst Vale seems endless but the girls are excited about it and looking forward to starting whereas I think Maggie could happily be home tutored forever! She is still at her happiest dirty and muddy in the garden collecting snails and watching them poo on her hands - such a delight! Next week Millie and Jess are booked into a Multi-Activity week down at Haven Banks (good recommendation as always Lisa!) and Maggie and I are nipping off to Guernsey to see my oldest friend Jo, who moved there with her family 6 months ago. Bit of a luxury really but its pretty expensive to get there and with M and J occupied all week it seemed like a good opportunity. Her daughters are 6 and 7 so I know that Maggie will enjoy herself too - especially as she has me all to herself. Rob is well, lots of things going on work-wise which could make for an interesting few months but I will fill you in on that the next time I write. So really it is life as usual - you aren\'t missing a thing and we are all very jealous! Send some more pictures soon and we look forward to reading your progress. Big kisses to you all. Loads of love Rob, Charlie, Millie, Jess and Maggie xxx

[Duncans Ahoy]

Sounds like a busy time - will email you back. You free to skype? xxxx

[jayne]

Family gathering off the coast of the Peleponese
Hi, Shame u didnt pop in for an ouzo!All the Wallace's are holidaying here with us.Perhaps on your way back. How long is your trip for? Look forward to seeing the next destination! Love from us all! Καλο ταξιδι!! ΧΧΧ

[Duncans Ahoy]

That's such a shame. We are now in Italy but loved Greece. Will let you know if we go on the way back. We loved Santonrini xxx