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We expect to return from Skopolos to Skiathos to re-store the ship then await our crew, this time, Jackie who will help us on the overnight runs south. We also need to get some spare parts for the 2 hp Honda BF2A. This has been a very reliable four stroke engine over the last few years. We use it on the Zodiac, but a drain screw on the carburettor has sheared through my over tightening it.


12.07.2001
Moored stern to at Skiathos
39.09.866N 23.29.527 East
10.40 hrs
Temp 27.0C
Baro 1013
Wind N3

While at anchor at Panourmous I managed to damage my knee, then next day pull a tendon above by right ankle. Due to this I was left aboard while the crew went swimming! Just as well as a yacht came towards us under power dragging its anchor. I shouted to tell them they still had their anchor down." No, no" they said " We are not anchoring, we are leaving". Too late they caught our anchor chain, swung round and the helmsman then left the wheel and went forward. A crew person then put the boat hard astern heading directly for Tirla at about 6 knots. I must admit I did scream rather loudly! The effect was that they shut the engine off and the impact was just enough for my body to take leaving minor damage to Tirla!

It took thirty minuets of hard work in the mid-day sun to sort out the mess. The result was that I added a pulled chest muscle and heat exhaustion to my existing ills! Also considerably upset the damaged leg. By the time Fae and crew returned I was a mere shadow of my former self slumped in the shade of the bimini cover!

Fae took over the boat and now, several days later, I'm well on the mend. 

In over three years aboard this is the first period I have not been 100% fit. 

We are convinced that the younger one can do the longer more arduous sailing voyages the better. Hence why we are set on the Atlantic circuit from December 2002.

We have added additional anti dehydration tablets to our medical stores as I hated drinking weak salt solution! The latter is a recommended basic medication for dehydration.

14.07.2001
Moored stern to at Skiathos
39.09.866N 23.29.527 East
19.00 hrs
Temp 30.9C
Baro 1012
Wind N3

Friday I felt better so did quite a lot and thus duly had a heat exhaustion relapse! Its very strange knowing you don't have the physical ability to protect or run the ship. This morning a yacht misjudged its run into the quay and cut our anchor rope with its propeller. By husbanding my strength Fae and I were just able to quickly start the engines, to hold us off the quay, buoy and dump the anchor rope. This was still rapidly being pulled out, attached to their propeller. We quickly set up the chain anchor and luckily a friend we made here, Brian jumped aboard so we could re-anchor the new set up. Once back attached to the quay I was a right off and stayed below re-cooperating. The Skipper of the offending yacht could not understand why I was not threatening to kill him!