Órmos Dhespotikó

Approaching Órmos Dhespotikó   

Southwest of Alikí are the islands of Andíparos and Dhespotikó. Between them is a channel which shallows to less than a metre at its northwestern entrance and which, reportedly, makes a lovely anchorage with good shelter from any sea generated by the meltemi, if not from the wind itself. So, from the sponge viewing location at Alikí we sailed south around the southeastern tip of Andíparos to approach the anchorage, Ormos Dhespotikó, from the southeast. That put us heading directly into wind for the last 3 miles and in the brisk breeze the beat was good tacking training for Charlotte to get her back up to speed on crew duties.

Once through the entrance to the bay/channel we rolled away/dropped the sails and found ourselves a suitable place to anchor amongst several other yachts. We recognised 2 of them from Órmos Alikí and found it quite amusing that having shared the same anchorage there for 4 days, here we were anchored all together again.

When we went swimming we discovered that the reason our anchor felt so secure was because it had jammed itself under a rock. Rather than waiting for it to become bent or completely jammed we sprang into action to reposition. I dived down the 5½ metres to the anchor to attach a tripping line to it which I passed to Charlotte on the foredeck. I then dived down again and pulled out the anchor as best I could. Meanwhile, Nicky manoeuvred BV so that Charlotte could pull on the tripping line to drag the anchor clear of the rock and then recover the chain so that we could re-anchor elsewhere. Heads popped up like meercats on the nearby yachts whilst this was all going on. It all worked very well and we were very grateful for the extra pair of hands on board which had made it so much easier.

With the anchor was redeployed and BV settled again we enjoyed sundowners in the cockpit. Some of the fresh rations we had bought in at Alikí were put to good use in the production of a chicken, pesto and vegetable bake.

Suitably fed, watered and relaxed, all was well on board BV in this rather picturesque anchorage. The plan for Saturday was to get up early, when we expected the wind would be lighter, and then sail around to Pároikía on Páros.

Órmos Dhespotikó, Greece