Sailing Day 9

September 11:  It is the 15-year anniversary of 9/11, though there has been no mentioned of it here.  We sailed from Vahti, Ithaca to Sivota on the southern end of the island of Levkas, a distance of about 20 nautical miles.  We motored to the 'inland sea' and played around with the sails.  Ron wanted to try out reefing the sails - there are three positions for reefing, and we tried each one.  There are 3 specific lines attached to the mainsail, each one simultaneously holds the main sail down and pulls the trailing edge tight.  The winds were quite light (6 knots or less) and with reefed sails we barely moved, but it was good experience.  

We fully raised the main sail, pulled out the jib, and sailed 'a beat' for a while, then turned toward our ultimate destination on a 'broad reach.'  We achieved speeds of about 3 knots, with the sails barely remaining filled.  But with the engine off, it is very peaceful even if we are not moving fast.

We motored into a hidden bay, which turned out to be very popular - Sivota on the southeast side of Lefkas.  The rounded end of the harbor is ringed with concrete quays and we parked in the '6-o'clock' position in front of the Ivironi taverna.  It took two tries to get the anchor in the right place and to hold in the mud,  with help from other boat owners.  The mooring was pleasant, with showers nearby (for 2 euros apiece) and a great covered portico in the taverna 20 feet from the boat for drinking.  Betsy and I swam at the beach a little ways down the quay, took showers and relaxed with drinks on the portico.  We had dinner at Stavros fish restaurant, around the quay at the 10-o'clock position.  We had a table at the edge of the second level with a great view over the harbor.  After a generous salad, Phil had a grilled whole red snapper and Betsy tried grilled calamari stuffed with tomatoes and feta.  Both entries were good.

We came back to the boat for a quiet, calm and restful night.