sailingholidays.com NEWSLETTER SOME GOOD Memories of NEWS AND summer sunshine to brighten your STORIES lockdown

SENTIMENTS FROM KEEP CALM AND YOUR TALES OUR SAILORS... CARRY ON... FROM 2020... Kind words from a Lockdown the Sailing Stories from the shortest strange season. Holidays way. summer yet! Our 44th year of sailing around the Greek We have been sent some fantastic IN THIS ISSUE... Islands has been a rather odd one to say the photographs and stories from the year. Our OUR 2020 ROUND UP least. sailors are a resourceful group, and when they 04 Where to begin? 2020, what a year want to bring the spirit of Greece to their back When writing last year’s newsletter, just 12 06 Our 2020 Greek Team gardens, they make it happen (taverna and months ago, we could never have imagined 08 The shows we made it to...and the ones we didn’t Greek beer included). what was around the corner. 09 Photo Competition When our summer season finally got underway 10 British Travel Awards 2020 We know everyone has had a very difficult year in mid-July, the response we had from those for many different reasons. A VERY DIFFERENT SUMMER who managed to escape to go sailing in the Hopefully you will enjoy looking back on 2020 sun was really positive. The Greek Island spirit 12 Sentiments from our sailors despite the challenges involved. The mood is therapy for the soul and turning off the news 14 Lockdown Sailing Holidays Style among those who were able to join us during helped too! 16 Your tales from 2020 the year was electric. 18 2013 - 2020 - 14 flotillas and counting 19 A few more snippets from the summer If this year has taught us anything, it’s that family and friends help to keep us going OUR LEAD CREWS GET IN TOUCH and, in hard times a little bit of creativity and 20 Lead crews and their news imagination can drive us on. 22 The draw of the sea Yammas and a WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO happy New Year 24 Our environmental efforts 25 Our team during Lockdown - from Corfu to London everyone 26 Barrie and Heidi report back from Greece 28 Local news from our friends in Greece 29 RYA Training in the Greek summer sun 30 The London office set sail BITS AND BOBS 32 Sailing Holidays - The start of so many life adventures 34 The first Villa Meandros olive oil 35 Is it time to check your passport? YACHT CHARTER DIVISION 37 About Yacht Charter Sailing Holidays 38 Fin enjoys independent September sailing in the Ionian 39 Skippered or independent charter - the choice is yours

RECYCLING OUR 2020 BROCHURE FOR THE 2021 SUMMER

As a result of the crazy year just gone, we have plenty of brochures left and our programme will be roughly the same as the one we planned for 2020, so we will not be producing a 2021 version. Due to early summer deferrals (from 2020), some 2021 flotillas are already quite heavily booked. The enthusiasm of our flotilla sailors to ensure they get their sunshine sailing fix after a long winter indoors will be a vitamin D infusion. We hope to be able to accommodate everyone, so give us a ring or email for availability if you wish to book for 2021. Social distancing in fresh sea air! Lockdown continued, and the All staff who prepared your A new phenomenon we have only thing we could actually linen packs wore masks and come across is one we are MANAGEMENT ENJOY A LATE SUMMER SWIM OFF rely on was that we would be gloves throughout. The linen going to name “the ones who THE BACK OF THE BOAT standing on our doorsteps on a was then placed in plastic bags can’t get enough”. WHERE TO Thursday evening clapping like to ensure no contamination. On several occasions this year mad things. On turnaround days, our we have had some very last BEGIN? As the weeks drew on, it cleaners scrubbed the yachts minute cancellations due to seemed the likelihood of any from top to bottom. Once all one reason or another. of us seeing the sun this side of work on board was complete The people who snapped these Christmas was slim. the boats were left to air for a up were more often than not 2020...what a year minimum of 3 hours. SAY HELLO TO SUMMER those who were already out Then, at the beginning of July We wanted to ensure we did sailing with us. everything we possibly could we got the news we had been We are not going to blame the to make sure our sailors, our waiting for. Travel corridors one or two sundowners that lead crews and our shorebased would be opening, meaning may or may not have been THE GOINGS ON OF THE SUMMER team felt safe. the summer was back on. consumed. We are going to As you can probably imagine, The only difference this year blame the undoubted “get very year here at Sailing The engineers and skippers had We gather this became a our team in Greece were raring was the requirement for DIY away from it all feeling” Greece EHolidays we wait with bated arrived in Greece and work welcome Friday afternoon to go and began work getting daily temperature and blood has had this year. oxygen level checks on each breath for the “big event of the in the yard was going well. distraction for many of you. 50 of our yachts ready for The islands we visit on our summer”. Whisperings of Coronavirus had boat. These were recorded on As the weeks went on, it action. holidays are special for many begun but, like many others, we a sheet and available should The thing that is going to became clear that our early Feeling a little trepidation, we reasons but this year it was retained a positive outlook. the Port Police request them. challenge us, to throw us off our summer sailing was going to began contacting people more apparent than ever. course and to make us think LOCKDOWN BEGINS! have to be put on hold. informing them their holiday With most other companies “jeez it can’t get much worse In mid-March lockdown This is when we began the was going to be happening. abandoning their summer than this”. measures for the UK, Greece mammoth task of calling all our We were a bit worried the programme completely, we In the past 10 years alone we and the rest of the world sailors. We started with our late appetite for foreign travel found we had many of the have had a volcanic eruption, were announced. This led to April and early May departures. would not be there and our towns, harbours and coastal two major airline collapses, a our London office having to villages to ourselves. SUMMER COMES TO A HALT work on the boats would be for Greek financial crisis and two adapt to remote working and nothing. The response from you all was Not only did this give us Medicanes. our team in Greece having to However, it seemed you were flashbacks to the 70’s, but it also down tools. amazing. Speaking to everyone However, if you had told us, was a bit of a treat and a keener than ever for a spot of helped with the relaxing and Our lead crews (much to their the unwinding that was more back in January, we would be welcome distraction from being sun, sea and sailing. OUR FIRST FLOTILLAS SET SAIL looking at a delayed start to disappointment) were flown than needed. stuck at home. We managed to sail from 19th our summer - we wouldn’t have home on one of the last flights HAPPY SAILORS Most people had expected the July right through to the end of Once you stepped off the believed you. to leave Corfu. Many were From your reviews, emails, letters October and every yacht was plane in Greece, you couldn’t keen to stay, believing that it outcome of the call and were and social media posts it seems Our team are always ready to booked. help but allow the relaxed would only be a few weeks, understandably disappointed all those who sailed with us this spring into action and we pride atmosphere to take over. maybe a month at the most, they would not be setting sail. KEEPING YOU SAFE year had a fantastic time. ourselves in getting people out The islands remained almost before they would be able to However, the support was Our team in Greece had a on the water no matter what. If anything, the joy of our untouched by COVID-19. get back to their summer on overwhelming and the number little more on their plates this holidays was only heightened Not to sound too dramatic the water. The local people were very of bookings that were deferred summer with COVID regulations by the fact we had all been but...we continue to try to conscientious but, with outdoor Even at this point (perhaps to 2021 showed us what a (understandably) being quite cooped up for so long. overcome all the obstacles we dining being the norm, the only naively) we thought we may determined group you are. strict. come across. We have included some of your time you were reminded of the be able to get the boats in the We understand some people Inventory including cups, comments later on. Our team virus was when entering shops. This year was a little different... water by the beginning of May. were not able to commit to mugs, plates and crockery was enjoy reading them and it goes We have rambled on enough, Back in March our shorebased We started sending a weekly a holiday in 2021 but, all the removed from the yachts after to prove that all the hard work so please enjoy this look back team were gearing up to get update email to all those due same, the kind words and each flotilla and replaced. was really worth it. on 2020. our season underway. to sail with us. sentiments were still echoed. 4 5 Our Sailing Holidays Greek Island Team LEAD BOAT DESSA 2020 Skipper: Meg Hostie: Mhari Engineer: Sean Flotilla: One Week North Ionian Our highlight of 2020: It definitely has to be our star raft back at the end of August. We created this fantastic raft in a bay in the South Ionian. The whole flotilla then enjoyed an evening spent playing in our very own private plunge pool!

LEAD BOAT SIROCCO Skipper: Mark (Benjo) Our Lead Crews Hostie: Alice Engineer: Tom Flotilla: One Week North Ionian LEAD BOAT ATHINA Best new find for 2020: Skipper: Ben Skipper Benjo has been Hostie: Beki wanting to spend an Engineer: Tom afternoon on the Lefkimi sand bar all summer. Flotilla: Two Week Whole Ionian Obviously an intentional afternoon, not just one Favourite flotilla activity: 2020 has been spent there due to poor navigation! In October a little different, but we have loved our the whole flotilla dropped anchor and swam in the “socially distanced” beers on the quay! crystal clear waters around the sand bar.

LEAD BOAT VASSIA LEAD BOAT DELPHI Skipper: Joe Skipper: Joe Hostie: Meg Hostie: Beth Engineer: Cian Engineer: Danny Flotilla: One Week South Ionian Flotilla: Two Week Whole Ionian Favourite fancy dress: It has become somewhat of a Our favourite way to travel: Under sail of tradition for the flotillas to dress up on “bridge day” course! We know the lead (the day the flotilla boats are renowned for heads through the Lefkas their lack of sailing. But Canal). This year we travelled north with two we love to see our candy striped sails in all their other flotillas and we decided “Pirates” would be glory so we get them out whenever we can! a fitting theme! No pillaging took place but there was plenty of swashbuckling!

6 7 Congratulations to all of our 2019 photo competition winners!. OUR 2019 The winning entries across all three categories are amazing and the voting went crazy this year! PHOTO We enjoy seeing your entries and every year they just get better and better. OUR RYA DINGHY SHOW STAND COMPETITION For 2020, for fairly obvious reasons, we put the photo competition on the back burner.

Sea Sundowners Sails

ALLY PALLY - AN IMPRESSIVE VENUE 1st 1st 1st THE SHOWS WE MADE IT TO...AND THE ONES WE DIDN’T Saying goodbye to Ally Pally

n 2020 we had our usual show We also caught up with many Many exhibitors could not Iplans but these were not to of our fellow AITO members. commit to a stand after such an be. However, we did make it to uncertain year. The show is certainly diverse two shows in the early part of and we seem to learn about a It will be strange to not attend the year - the Destinations Show new holiday destination every the Dinghy Show next year after and the RYA Dinghy Show. time we visit. No show currently setting up shop there for the Christine Evans Leila Thornton Paul Burton The Destinations show took planned for 2021. past 10 or so years. We will miss place at Olympia London from Alexandra Palace as it is an nd nd nd 30th January to 2nd February. RYA DINGHY SHOW amazing historic venue. 2 2 2 27TH – 28POSTPONEDTH FEBRUARY 2021 Charlie, Bex and Fin manned We hope the show will be our stand and saw plenty of We had a stand at the RYA back in full swing by 2022. With familiar faces along with a lot of Dinghy Show at the beginning Farnborough Exhibition Centre new potential flotilla sailors. of March. There were fears that as its new, larger home there visitor numbers would be down, will definitely be more to see but we certainly saw a fair few and do than ever before. of our flotilla sailors. There is talk of a virtual event in This year the show organisers 2021, so watch this space! announced that the 2021 The Southampton Boat Show Stephen Irwin Neil Crosby Steve Woodford event would take place at a was cancelled for 2020. new venue. Moving forwards it However, British Marine are rd rd rd would be held at Farnborough hopeful that the 2021 show will 3 3 3 Exhibition Centre. go ahead. We are planning to However, in October the RYA be in the same spot as usual decided that the 2021 show and look forward to catching would not be going ahead at up with as many of you as all. possible.

NEXT SOUTHAMPTON INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW MAYFLOWER PARK/TOWN QUAY, SOUTHAMPTON southamptonboatshow.com Alistair Simmons All being well, the boat show is planned for: 10TH – 19TH SEPTEMBER 2021 Maria Irwin Charles Dainton

8 9 Outstanding consideration for worries about A VERY Coronavirus. We really appreciated the understanding with which we were told we need not pay the balance DIFFERENT and could wait to decide the best course of action nearer the time. The detailed information about keeping safe. Ivan was brilliant in explaining things. The SUMMER understanding approach of the London office was a key factor in our decision to go rather than be over Page 14 - Your Kind Words cautious and stay at home. Thank you!! Carol Page 16 - Lockdown Sailing MORE BRITISH TRAVEL AWARDS SUCCESS Holidays Style THE ONLY TRAVEL AWARDS VOTED FOR BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC Page 18 - Your 2020 Stories

Our team in Greece managed to get the Ionian Against all sorts of opposition from ski and villa flotillas running and the atmosphere was very companies we also achieved a silver medal special. (one better than last year) in the Best Family Holiday company, and finally, a Bronze in the We even booked a whole aircraft to run the When you phoned to confirm our holiday was Best Activity/Sports Holiday company. school half term week (with our fingers crossed) cancelled, I asked if anything became available and every single yacht went out for the week. Our Gold in the Hellenic Europe category means could we have first refusal, as I work in the NHS It was great to be the only boats around and a great deal to us as we specialise in promoting and had been working 7 days a week since early tavernas stayed open especially for us. our kind of sailing in Greece. March. Your staff said they'd do their best to get us a holiday this year and wow, they did. The travel awards were all online this year so The Islands and the people are part of our DNA. thanks to everyone who voted for us. The BTA’s This is the seventh year in a row we have won this I am so grateful and it was a real tonic - just wished are very special within travel and tourism and award. We were especially pleased, as we only we could have stayed longer! Staff were very the results are decided solely by you….our flotilla had a third of our fleet out for half the season. helpful and relaxed which created a wonderful fun sailors. atmosphere Thank you, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. It was very evident that the ‘natural self isolation’ Please pass on my best wishes and eternal thanks to Even the award ceremony was online, and we provided by sailing around on couple and family the whole team involved in ensuring we got away had to prerecord our celebration (see photos sized yachts was perfect for avoiding crowds. and had an amazing trip. below), but we still didn’t know what and if we In addition, the population of the Islands were Gill and Duncan had won any of the categories we had entered. largely free of the Coronavirus. Just wanted to say a massive thank you to the whole team for making this flotilla As it happened, we hit the podium in all three. Yep, we made it through 2020 and can’t wait for happen. We had a wonderful time and The special one was the Gold medal as the Best the return of the freedom to wander about in the the crew Tom, Alice and Mark were really Holiday company to Hellenic Europe. Greek Island sun. We will see you out there soon. friendly and fun. It was like back to normal without corona paranoia! Anna

Neither the North or South Ionian regattas were held in 2020 as, even though yachts are brilliantly socially isolated, the parties afterwards are quite the opposite! We will just have to look forward to the 2021 events like everything else at this time.

10 11 Sentiments from our sailors... From: Tom and Janice Date: 04 August 2020

We cannot begin to explain how much your kind words have meant to us this summer. Even Subject: Loving it... when we were having to cancel early summer holidays, we were still receiving supportive messages from you all, that were much appreciated! Thanks to all at Sailing Holidays for pulling it all together in spite of the best efforts of When the news came through that we could get up and running again, we took the bull Covid 19. My wife, Janice, and I were in your by the horns and cracked on with getting as many boats ready as we could. The task was first cohort. made considerably harder for working on the boats, as it was very hot in July. An excellent learning and fun experience was had… TOM AND JANICE Here are a few of the lovely emails we received throughout the summer. as evidenced by the attached photo. Tom Geddes

From: Clive Evans Date: 20 May 2020 From: Penny Woodford Subject: Mythos Date: 06 August 2020 Subject: Holiday - 19th July We didn’t have any Mythos but put two glasses in the freezer and two lagers in the fridge. Sat on the patio and thought of sitting on deck in a I would like to thank the teams in London and Greece for enabling a very bay in Greece drinking the ice cold nectar. precious holiday in Greece for my family. Here’s to the hope that our Faraway Islands in September will go ahead and With the events that happened early this year, with the virus, we never Sailing Holidays will get back to full sail soon. really thought there was a chance of it going ahead and when we had the Clive Evans call two weeks before we were due to leave, we thought it was to confirm cancellation. We are all very grateful that your teams could be so ready and organised From: Melanie to get us, other clients and staff out to Greece to enjoy two wonderful weeks with our family and to have a short period when the virus was in the Date: 03 August 2020 background and not at the forefront of our lives. Subject: Flotilla Feedback The work you put in is amazing and coping with the challenges along the way reflects your expertise and amazing ability to cope with any challenge We were lucky enough to go out on the first 1 week flotilla from Gouvia whatever it is. on July 19th. I just want to say what an amazing week we had and how wonderful the lead crew of Meg, Sean and Mhari were. I’ve never We had to have different flights from a different airport, a different boat, experienced a bad lead crew on flotilla, but I feel that this trio are a different sailing area, a long and tiring transfer to Corfu to get our exceptional. They were forever positive, jolly, smiley, friendly, helpful, boat, but it was all more than worth it. It was very precious time for us obliging...... the list goes on. Their genuine love for what they do shone all and we are so thankful and grateful you made it happen. Our week at through every day, nothing was too much trouble and they did everything in Villa Meandros was wonderful with amazing facilities and views, with the their power to make sure we all had the most amazing holiday possible. sailing in the North Ionian equally enjoyable with excellent weather. Just one minor complaint, we would have liked a little more wind but even your I’ve been so impressed with Sailing Holidays throughout the lockdown teams can’t arrange that. period, from the upbeat weekly e-mails which were a very welcome positive read, to Mel on the phone who again went out of her way to sort out our I hope for the company and your employee’s sakes, and also for the booking when we switched flotillas. All in all, it seems that Sailing livelihoods of the welcoming Greek people, that what is left of the season Holidays is a great team effort so a big thank you to everyone who made our can continue onwards and you can deliver more happy sailing holidays. holiday possible. Our thanks and very best wishes to you all. Best Wishes, Regards Melanie, Paul, Siena and Ashton Penny

12 13 Should have been on our first day on the Faraways flotilla ...Sailing Holidays Style yesterday! I came down to breakfast on the deck to find my husband had prepared a morning briefing! When lockdown began we Later followed up with a TABLE LAID FOR DINNER Lockdown...all found ourselves pressing the pause prawn saganaki and some button on everyday life. However, as temperatures began to rise Greek red wine...... in the UK, it appeared we were all dreaming of the Greek Islands. making the best of it in We knew that you were a creative lot but you really did pull out all the stops! Imitation tavernas were sunny Newcastle! created in back gardens and living rooms across the country. Several enjoyed tasty taverna treats ALL READY FOR MORNING BRIEFING Rachel and Gordon on the terrace, a can of Mythos (or two) or a “Kokkino krasi” (local red wine).

Hi Sailing Holidays, Who needs a sailing holiday in the Greek We were scheduled to come sailing with you yesterday, but tried Islands when you can create your own to make the best of not being able to go by getting into the spirit little piece of Greece in your garden? of it. ....ME!!! Jan So, here we are with our home-made tzatziki and moussaka, together with some Mythos, Ouzo and red wine to drown our Hi All sorrows! We have started an isolation bake off with friends we We’re so looking forward to coming sailing with you again some met on the Faraways last summer. time soon! Best wishes to you all, Hopefully we will be together again in August! Heather and Duncan Stay safe, *Authors note* Heather and Duncan ended up spending 6 weeks in August, September and Joe, Kate and Jess October on various flotillas.

Our Greek inspired evening began with this (as close as we could get We should have been in the Sporades now, but luckily found this in the current circumstances). We finished with chicken souvlaki, pitta, wonderful bottle of wine we bought in Monemvasia last year. tzatziki, Greek salad and calamari. We’ve even still got some olive oil and pickled caper leaves from a little Dreaming of returning next May when better days are with us. shop near the harbour. The stuffed vine leaves are out of our garden. We’ve been sailing with you since Croatia days and hope the rest of Lorna and Ian Hunt the season goes well for you. Looking forward to next year. Alan and Robin We should be in the Sporades with you right now, but made do with Studland Bay instead. Looking forward to our October trip and newly booked trip next May Missing the sailing and the dinghy trip for an evening with you instead. drink in a Greek Taverna and we thought you might be a little short of sailing holidays photographs this year Thanks for the excellent communication and good luck getting so….. things sorted for the rest of the season. Mandy We cleared the shed and papered it with old charts, ordered in the Mythos and made an appropriate sign. We were “generously” donated a bottle of Ouzo by our And last but not least...Neil and Deanne are on our wave next door neighbours...perhaps the dinghy could do length with this one! with some more work! “This delivery helped us get over missing out on beers in the Hope things improve soon and you at least get the tail Greek sunshine..... end of a season. Mike and Sarah Neil and Deanne”

14 15 TWO ANNIVERSARIES AND A BIRTHDAY 2020 In September Helen, Phil, Justin and Clare joined Lead Boat Delphi on one of our Whole Ionian flotillas. The couples met whilst on honeymoon and have been friends ever since. They decided a flotilla would be the perfect way to celebrate their joint silver wedding anniversary. If this was not reason enough to celebrate, Clare also hit a big birthday milestone whilst out on the water. Here’s to another 25 years! 1995 - WHERE IT ALL STARTED

THESE AREN’T JUST HOLIDAYS... THEY ARE SO MUCH MORE! YOUR TALES FROM 2020 Thinking we might be a bit crazy to attempt a holiday in these times ...we did it anyway...so glad we did! GEORGE AND ELLIS ANITA AND FAMILY ENJOYING THE BREAK! The Greeks have been gorgeous and welcoming. It feels like we left A PERFECT FLOTILLA ENGAGEMENT... COVID, the UK’s stifling worry and restrictions behind. Just a quick whip Back at the end of August George and Ellis set sail with of mask on and off for the shops is all that really reminds us. friends on Pelagia, one of our Beneteau 38’s. They joined Lead Boat Vassia on our Kefalonia Flotilla. One of the reasons we felt confident to book was we knew Sailing Holidays would look after us IF anything untoward happened. And on In Spartahori, as the sun was setting, George got down on arrival to Corfu base meeting and chatting to Heidi and Barrie (us with one knee and popped the question. Ellis said yes! beer in hand) confirmed this is no ordinary corporate run company! A few days later the whole flotilla celebrated with a These aren’t just holidays...they are so much more! Anita Ribbons (socially distanced) white themed party in Ay Euphemia. Congratulations George and Ellis, we look forward to SHARON, JAMIE, FAMILY SAILING FOR OCTOBER HALF TERM JOHN AND ELYSIA seeing photos of the big day. THE FLOTILLA CELEBRATE WITH DRINKS ON THE QUAY We have just been on our first ever flotilla holiday with SailingHolidays.com. It was extra special for us as it was our 19th wedding anniversary on the LEARNING THE IGGY CREEK SHUFFLE... 5, 6, 7, 8! Monday of our trip. I had booked up about 18 months in advance and We were in Iggy Creek and used the beach to hold a line had been counting the months, weeks and days. dance class (both Clive and I are line dance teachers, I must have looked at the glossy brochure a hundred times, dreaming of although this was the only opportunity we’ve had to teach the day I could sail in those Mediterranean waters. “live” since February this year, for obvious reasons). Our hostie Beki said she had never seen anyone so happy. My wife I have to say that this was not only the highlight of my Sharon hadn’t been a keen sailor and rarely came out on my little holiday, but also the highlight of my line dance teaching Jaguar 25 back home on the East coast but she has said that she would come career of 15+ years, so thank you to Athina and the flotilla out to Greece again so you will have the pleasure of our company in the future. John Heath for joining in - you were all brilliant! THE FLOTILLA LEARNING THE STEPS I still smile at being able to call one of the walls Corfu, CAROL ENJOYING A DIP! because of course, that is what we could see in that direction. Normally I might THE GREEK WELCOMES STILL AS WARM AS EVER say we’re facing the windows or the door, or the back or the front of the hall. The Greek people were so happy to see us all and couldn’t But this time we had the bar, the sea, Corfu and Shipwreck (abandoned boat one side of the have made us more welcome. We never thought we’d manage beach). I loved it, the perfect place to do one of my most favourite things. to get a flotilla in this year so when we saw a cancellation we jumped at the chance and it felt even more special than usual. We had a great holiday, so glad we could get away, thank you all for your hard work this year Thanks for yet another fabulous flotilla! especially. See you in 2021, fingers crossed. Debz Rosser Carol Dabill

16 17 2013 - 2020 There was silence and I said to him we might not be able to 14 FLOTILLAS leave the house by Christmas (let alone the country). AND COUNTING Rob started laughing and when A FEW MORE SNIPPETS I asked why, he said he was FROM THE SUMMER Rob and Inga succumb to the GETTING QUALIFIED IN 2017 picturing the reaction of telling Sailing Holidays magic On our last night, we were work he was still in Greece. overjoyed to have been sailing Hurray finally! for two weeks and resolved to We told Dawn and Frank we Dear Barrie and Heidi, the be going home following a fab were staying. The London crew shorebased team, London dinner and dancing in Harry’s. were just behind them in the office and Dessa crew, I had met Mel (from the London check-in queue and they were TEA FOR TWO - A VERY SPECIAL REQUEST A huge thank you for an Office) earlier in the evening, cheering as we made the amazing unplanned three In a year like no other, we often found ourselves John and Vicky know having spoken to us both about announcement. weeks of sailing. What follows turning to those little home comforts...things like that our flotilla bunch our flights many times, I felt I is a bit of an epic tale about tea for example. are a special lot and are knew her. always keen to help out. Sailing Holidays in our lives and This year John and Vicky had planned a fantastic So they were hoping especially this year. Anyway someone told me there road trip in their trusty camper van. Their route was a 361 available so I went to someone may be willing SPECIAL DELIVERY We kept track of the offers and would take them though France and Italy before find the London office crew in to travel out to Greece as Rob’s birthday approached ending up in Greece to join a flotilla. A pretty Harry’s to see if I could find out and bring some precious tea cargo with them. I kept dropping hints. Well, they great way to spend a summer we thought. Their more. It transpired a 361 was must have worked as he called ROB AND INGA RETURN FROM THE journey was to come to a pause in Plataria Heidi jumped on the task and called in the not available....but a Beneteau and booked. AIRPORT BY TAXI where they would park up and join one of our cavalry! Previous flotilla sailors Helen and Phil 50 was. If Rob had any lingering doubt flotillas. were happy to take up the challenge, and managed to track down three substantial bags The bonus that night was the applause we got when we We received an email from John the week of loose leaf Yorkshire tea. meeting the London team who arrived back made his day. He before they were due to sail with a very special until then had just been a voice whistled one of his “I’m here” request. They had run out of loose leaf tea and John and Vicky were overjoyed with their tea, on the phone. They certainly whistles from the end of the the prospect of a further two months without a and we believe a few G&T’s may have changed saw enough of us the next few pontoon. The look on Meg and proper brew just didn’t bear thinking of. hands during the fortnight as a thank you. hours. Sean’s face made mine. The following morning Meg’s Kallista made an amazing advice was to go for it and live floating home (and office) and OFF THE CUTENESS SCALE CRAFTY FACE COVERINGS life and Barrie kind of said what THROUGH THE CORINTH CANAL IN 2019 we made more memories. Ann-Marie was chatting to One of the things we never is there to lose. You guys are just part of who our team to sort out her 2021 thought we would be We messaged friends we met in But, it was Heidi’s words that we are and what we love now. holiday and happened to considering as a merchandise 2015 in the Saronics, Dawn and stuck in Rob’s mind. She came Thank you, thank you, thank mention a gorgeous new option was Sailing Holidays CHRIS AND TIM SHOW Frank, who couldn’t make that KIONI OFF THEIR MASKS round and saw us before the you to all of you for giving us addition to their family. branded face masks. week. coaches came and said, even the opportunities. They missed their sailing trip to Greece so However, after seeing Chris and Tim’s You then released further dates if we get to the airport, we can Inga and Rob much this year that they decided to call their efforts we have to say we are a little jealous! which they booked. Once we still turn back. Maybe getting P.S. See you next year! new puppy Kioni. Watch this space... knew they had booked, we back on the coach with the phoned to extend our booking next bunch of sailors would CELEBRATIONS ON BOARD for another week. be a good way to start the ANNE CELEBRATES IN STYLE last week. We didn’t see her We had sailed with the Dessa Anne and her friends set sail on a They decorated the boat and coming but the seed was sown. crew in 2018 and warmed Whole Ionian flotilla this September. raised a glass (or a mug) to to Megan and Sean and we Rob talked about holiday plans They have been sailing together as celebrate the special day whilst managed to join them again at Christmas for my birthday... a crew for many years but this year in Corfu Town. Not a bad place to for our second week. they were out to celebrate Anne’s be blowing out your candles. birthday. 18 19 PAST LEAD CREWS AND THEIR NEWS... Ex-Lead Crew enjoy their very own punch party in New Zealand

Mhairi is studying Personal Training and is in the process of publishing her first book. FESTER AND MARCUS 25 years on, Graham returns to the Ionian...but as a holidaymaker this time Fester is working for “Sealegs”, an amphibious boat company as Development “Having previously worked as a lead Engineer. He, Ruth and their daughter Freya Skipper, I always knew that one day I would THE FIELDER FAMILY WITH DESSA LEAD CREW are also living in Auckland. return with my own family. I loved my time with Sailing Holidays and wanted to share Mhairi, Marcus, MHAIRI AND MARCUS IN 2020 that experience with my children. Ruth and Fester It turns out that 2020 was the year, despite the fact that Covid had thrown everyone a Back in October ex-lead crew curve ball. Mhairi, Marcus, Ruth and Fester got MHAIRI AND MARCUS The faces had changed, the boats were together for a classic Sailing Holidays IN 2012 newer and the base site had relocated to punch party with dips and all. Plataria, the essence of the Sailing Holidays Ex-Skipper Graham, his wife Rebecca and As you can see, Marcus and Fester Flotilla experience had not changed in the their children Stella and George sailed with are still playing boat life. 25 years that had passed. Lead Crew Dessa this summer. Marcus is General Manager for Yacht The crew Meg, Mhari and Sean were Graham ran our very first Faraway Islands Share. He and Mhairi spent a few fantastic, they worked hard to ensure that flotilla and did a fantastic job. years working in Dubai before settling all the boats had a great time. into life in Auckland with their two Having originally only booked one week It was nice to be able to sit back and watch daughters Layla and Halle. afloat, they fell victim to the “we just can’t someone else do all the running around!” get enough” bug. They ended up staying on for another week of sailing in the sun! Graham Fielder

Justin sails (or drives) off into the sunset... SAFE AND SOUND ON THE FERRY Justin worked as an important part of our They decided to pack FRANCIS AND SHARON ON THE QUAY IN SIVOTA Francis and Sharon reunited after 30 years Greece team since 2006. In that time he has up their life on Corfu turned his hand to many things. and head to the UK. In October, Francis headed out to Greece with Barrie, Heidi and a few others to deliver His love of all things electrical made him the This challenge was one of our Beneteau 50’s from Corfu down lead crew’s first point of call when it came made a little harder to Sivota. to wonky wires and broken batteries. by their choice of vehicle....Justin’s Mini He usually pops out to visit our Corfu office He has taken up the role of lead crew Clubman (his pride several times a year, but it has been quite a engineer many times, so he certainly knows and joy). few years since he set sail with a flotilla. We how things work on both sides. Over the past year or so Justin has stripped managed to drag him away from his emails In 2018 and 19 he and Lia were based in and refitted the interior, resprayed the body and forced him to actually relax for a few Astrous in the Saronic Island area. days on board. work and made sure she was up for the challenge! When in Sivota he bumped into Sharon. She JUSTIN AND LIA WITH OUR 2018 SARONIC CREWS used to work as lead crew back in the day Francis and Barrie joined the company as Of course the car saw them safely to the and her and Francis had not seen each engineers on the very same day back in UK in one piece and didn’t miss a beat. We other for over 30 years. Annoyingly, after all the 1980’s. Francis went on to run flotillas wish Justin and Lia the best of luck for the this time she has not changed a bit! Sharon in Greece, Sardinia and Corsica before next part of their life adventure. and her husband, also an ex-flotilla skipper, rejoining the company in the London office now own a small cottage in Sivota bay. in 1994.

20 21 THE DRAW OF Once you have spent a few summers enjoying From the Faraways to the French Canals... the freedom that life on the sea brings it is Nikki and Seb have hard to let go. ALINA, SEB AND NIKKI been part of our Greek IN PORT TIMONI THE SEA... For many of our lead crews, life on board was team since 2018. In 2019 THE PROJECT BEGINS just too difficult to give up and they decided they were skipper and Skills learnt as a to plump for their own floating home. engineer on our unique After searching high and low for the perfect Faraway Islands flotilla. yacht, they finally found “Saracen”. She is a 1960 flotilla lead crew stay From major renovation projects to sailing on classic wooden sloop made from mahogany. with you forever the other side of the world, there are plenty of When the virus hit tales to tell...here are just a few of them. earlier in the year it By Nikki’s own admission, she needs quite a bit threw their plans for of work. However, with their combined skills and 2020 up in the air. After experience, we are certain they will restore A little floating home of his own... BOOGALOO IN THE SUNSET much deliberation they decided it was time for Saracen to her former glory. Engineer Calvin took I’ve spent my a new adventure. CALVIN, EMILY AND ROSS - advantage of the weekends slowly The pair have begun their own YouTube channel, VASSIA LEAD CREW 2019 downtime that 2020 kitting her out for documenting their restoration journey and plan offered and bought some proper sailing. to continue filming when they get out on the himself a Albin Vega 27 water. You can follow their journey on “Sailing My hope is to with the funky name of with Saracen” by clicking here. spend two months Boogaloo. next year sailing Their plan post-Christmas is to live on Saracen “I’m writing to you from down to Greece and perhaps (when completed). The next adventure will be sailing Scotland, Norway and taking her through a frosty morning in Dublin sell her (if I’m not too attached). SARACEN GETS LIFTED aboard Boogaloo. the French canals and into the Mediterranean. I’m learning lots and I’m having a little adventure I’m currently living on a free swinging mooring on during these odd times.” Coming home with more than just a good tan... the Liffey. RYA instructor Laura was 2018 Interestingly “Fata Morgana” is a flotilla skipper in the Sporades. type of mirage often seen at sea. In search of the simple life... When mooring one afternoon, she You may have seen this Annabel and We are now entering the saw a Maxi 100 (identical to our phenomena when sailing in Taylor were 2nd summer aboard and lead boats) for sale. Sporades flotilla are looking forward to Greece. It is a narrow band of hostie and taking some time off from At the end of the season she took haze floating just above the engineer in 2018. work and sailing around the plunge and purchased “Fata horizon. It can make ships, islands They decided the North Island. Morgana”. and mountains look as though FATA MORGANA LIFTED they weren’t they are floating in mid air. I have been working as a sailmaker INTO GOUVIA MARINA done with life on for North Sails here in Opua and Taylor has been the water and Ben and Beki settle into their new home working for a local boat-builders. headed to New This summer ex-skipper, Ben bought a Dehler Zealand to buy a boat. Opua is a major hub for the South Pacific Cruising 36 yacht for him and his girlfriend Beki (also a route and main port of entry for sailors arriving former Hostie). “Misty is a William Atkin into NZ, so there are lots of cruising boats coming design 36ft steel cutter. “Noon Hi” was bought in Falmouth and they and going and we have both crewed a few She was built in 1967 then sailed her down to Devon where she times up to the islands (Fiji, Tonga). and has already sailed currently resides. We’ve also enjoyed catching up with lots around the world Ben and Beki have both sailed since a young of other ex sailing holidays staff here in NZ. twice! She has quite an age and are now living on board the yacht. interesting history. Although, there’s a lot of us here at the moment! They’ve been slowly modernising her and One day we will Taylor and I bought her making her more homely and are even definitely end up in Opua, and have been living aboard sailing considering sailing her to the Med to re-visit all back in Greece. around the Bay Of Islands for a year and a half. of their favourite flotilla haunts. Just not sure when Although North NZ winters are ‘mild’ we still that will be at this made very good use of the log burner on-board! stage...”

22 23 SOME OF OUR ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS THIS YEAR KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.... Our team during lockdown: DAVE ENJOYING e like to do our bit for the environment. As a THE SUNSHINE! Wtravel company we are aware of concerns from London to Corfu about air travel and we try to do what we can to offset the impacts of our activities. The London Office settle into working from home... In addition, we mustn’t forget that getting about In March our London Office (for the first time Dave loves the using the wind is the most eco-friendly mode ever) powered down. However, that did not outdoors so he made of propulsion there is - this year with the added mean our office team powered down! There was the most of the great bonus of natural social-distancing, gloriously fresh Our Corfu office also do a lot to aid the local work to be done and it was all to be done from weather and took his office air and of course plenty of free vitamin D. community on the island. Brian (our woodwork their new home offices. al fresco. There was an unfortunate incident with a bird, but the less said about that the better. Our teams in London and Greece both work guru) helps out regularly with the local donkey Most of you will have spoken to our team a little hard to make the environment we live and work sanctuary. more than usual this year, so we thought you Unfortunately, he has decided to seek a job on in a cleaner place. He collects items from our workshop and donates might like to take a look through the key hole. superyachts so will be leaving us at the end of December, and we wish him all the best. Our In Corfu our office are regular visitors to the them to the centre. They find uses for old duvets, Now just because the world was in the middle of London team keep in touch via zoom at the “Gouvia Green Corner”. This is a volunteer towels, wood shavings and rope. a global pandemic, did not mean there was no run recycling scheme on the island. They are moment and like everyone else, can’t wait to One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. fun to be had. encouraging locals to bring their recycling to get back out to Greece again. them in order for it to be disposed of correctly. The London office have been doing their bit Heidi created a Sailing OUR LITTLE KIWI LOOKING too. This year, at the RYA Dinghy Show, they Holidays addition to the AFTER THE OFFICE got involved with the “Exhibitor Sustainability “Rainbow Trail”. Local Pledge”. children walked around We made sure to the area trying to spot all have reusable rainbows in people’s water bottles windows. and no single use plastic was used on the stand. All They also made the most of quiet seas and THE GOUVIA GREEN CORNER Greece looking a little quieter than usual... of our promotional managed to get a day or two of sailing in. carrier bags are In Greece Coronavirus restrictions were lifted The group (made up DAVE, BARRIE AND HEIDI recyclable so slightly earlier than in the UK. This left them in the RYA Instructor Laura took a few of the team of volunteers) aim to AT THE DINGHY SHOW no plastic there strange position of summer weather with very out sailing on her boat to explore the bays on educate people about the either. few visitors. Corfu. In June the harbours were practically importance of recycling. unrecognisable as there were so few boats As a result, many of our shorebased It has long been the case We also collected our certificate for the AITO around. in Greece (as with many Project Protect initiative. As part of this Ellen, our maintenance and administration team on Corfu There was a four legged stow away on board. other Mediterranean Customer Relations manager, brought in several decided to explore the island like never before. Engineer Patch brought along his furry friend countries) that all waste pledges to reduce our environmental impact Head Hostie Niamh and engineer Jake, along Gromit. He took to paddle boarding better than ends up in land fill or being across our Greek and UK operation. with a few others, took to sleeping under canvas most and even remembered to pack the beers! incinerated. on the beach. YORGOS GETS These included Good boy! STUCK IN The Gouvia Green providing all our Without the usual influx of tourists in June the Corner believe every sailors with reusable beaches were deserted. GROMIT TRYING TO CATCH A WAVE little helps and we can tote bags for their get on board with that. shopping so they did not need to use CAMPING SET UP ON The team head down in HALIKOUNAS BEACH plastic bags. We the Sailing Holidays vans also provide eco- on Fridays with all of our friendly cleaning recycling. JOE COLLECTS THE AITO products on board AWARD ON ELLEN’S BEHALF PATCH GETS READY TO all of our yachts. EMPTY HIS LOAD 24 25 The welcome was as warm as ever and we met It was full of small motor boats and fishing boats the new harbour master Babis. As ever Olga but a kindly fisherman allowed us to tie up produced a great evening meal and we slept alongside for a gloriously peaceful night. The like logs. stars were the brightest we had seen and Akis taverna was on excellent form. Next day we sailed across to Lakka on Paxos which feels unchanged over all these years. We A TRIP THROUGH THE LEFKAS CANAL adjourned to the Harbour Lights for a swift half. As the bridge over the Lefkas Canal was out of LAKKA LOOS GET AN UPGRADE action, a replacement ferry boat for cars was being used but only open three times a day. So To Heidi’s delight, the old “agricultural” single we set out for the 1pm opening, and made it toilet has finally been replaced by a men’s and a OUR WORK FROM after another terrific sail with at least a minute or ladies loo. All nicely tiled with a wash-hand basin. HOME SET UP AT two to spare. HARBOUR LIGHTS AN IDYLLIC BAY ALL TO OURSELVES! We also touched base with our very old friend There was quite a queue of yachts and all made Panos from Planos Travel before heading off it through to either Lefkas town or the southern LET THE SUMMER BEGIN...BARRIE AND HEIDI REPORT FROM GREECE down the coast to Mongonissi. There were a few Ionian. Once again, we stopped for a swim in boats anchored in the bay but plenty of space a bay before trundling down to the Iris Hotel on the quay. s many of you will know, Heidi and I travelled SKIPPER JOE GETS THE FLOTILLA INVOLVED pontoon. Aout to Greece in mid-July. The feeling of Shorebased boatbuilder Yorgos and his relief at being away from the UK media was apprentice Spiros were there, so we had a indescribable! vehicle available. We drove around to Elena’s Walking out of Corfu airport was like a huge dark waterside taverna in Vliho Bay for a delicious cloud had been lifted off our shoulders, and a meal and spectacular sunset. Dimitri’s welcome light had been turned back on in our lives. is always enthusiastic, although a bit strange with We felt no restriction on the enjoyment of our a face mask and no hugs. The old expression “no news is good news” has FERRY MAN COSTAS WELCOMES US ON BOARD traditional visits, having seldom been here in July never been more appropriate. Masks were put Theo commented that he was looking forward to The next day, we motored around to the familiar for many years. We certainly savoured the nice away soon after arrival, although they were still the arrival of our flotillas because he enjoyed the territory of Sivota Bay, our other southern base, warm water for swimming. worn indoors. company of our clientele. where we received a warm welcome from As always, it was difficult to put feelings into Panos, Spiridoula and their boys. As everyone knows, most things in Greece take He knew many from previous visits and, due to words, but the sense of relief of being there was place outdoors, especially sailing and taverna his new knee, was happy to hand over the Greek palpable. VILLA MEANDROS - HOME FROM HOME dining. No media at all and only the cicada dancing baton to his son Yannis. We celebrated chorus for company. Warm sunny weather, lovely sailing breezes 40 years of friendship with Theo and Pan with and fabulous yachts to get us away from it all is a couple of bottles of water – how times have MAKING THE MOST OF THE MELTEMI heaven. Social distancing at its most perfect. changed! We enjoyed a glorious sail down from Corfu to We hardly cast a glance over our shoulders. Lefkas with the mild Meltemi behind us and it was Then it was off to one of our favourite spots in One evening we joined one of the Whole Ionian the most liberating experience we have had for the Ionian, Parga town on the mainland. Valtos flotillas at the Iris Hotel pontoon for a brilliant many a year, especially after several weeks of harbour was in its usual chaotic state, but we evening of modified barbecue and a guitar lockdown in London. managed to squeeze ourselves in on the quay. recital from skipper Joe. The atmosphere, in all senses of the word, was We were taken over to the town by Costas, a Everyone there commented they had to think warm and welcoming, and the contrast after the genial ferryman, and spent a pleasant evening twice about whether to go on their holiday or not UK was dramatic. people watching on the waterfront. Here we chose to spend a few days ashore in our and all were thankful that they chose to carry on. fabulous Villa Meandros, our temporary “working Greece has been lightly touched by the Covid Due to the absence of foreign tourists, many Families and couples alike were feeling the same from home” office. 19 Virus and they have done their best to keep it Greek people, who had recently escaped sense of relief at being away sailing in the Greek that way. from lockdown, headed to the coast for the Certainly, we felt refreshed and as a result Islands. Certainly, the locals were very pleased weekend, and it was bustling. SOCIALLY DISTANCED BEERS ON THE QUAY decided to stay an extra week. There was to see us, as they too have experienced difficult From Parga, we had a relaxed lunch and swim nowhere in the world we would rather have times. stop in otherwise empty Two Rock Bay, before been than sailing around in the Greek Islands, We went from Gouvia Marina down to Plataria enjoying a further great run before the breeze, reclining in splendour ashore. on the first day and tied up at a half empty quay. down to Ligia.

26 27 LOCAL NEWS RYA TRAINING IN THE GREEK SUMMER SUN

From our friends around Greece... Due to new COVID regulations we are now limited to the number of people we can have n conjunction with Corfu on board our training yachts. Sea School we offer 40 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP I comprehensive RYA training For example, if two separate Those who have sailed the North Ionian will no and qualifications. couples book, there will be a maximum of 4 students on doubt have enjoyed at night spent in Mongonissi. Whether you’ve never set board. Our RYA instructors have worked Their Greek dancing foot on a boat before or you within a flotilla environment If however, individual sailors show is quite the already have some experience for many years. Meaning they THEO, SPIROS, PAN book, we are limited to a ratio spectacle. There is also a and dream of skippering your are able to tailor the course THEO, SPIROS, PAN AND BARRIE - 2010 own yacht, we can help you. of 3:1. This will ensure there is lot to be said for seeing AND BARRIE - 1980 to Mediterranean sailing room for all to have a sleeping your fellow flotilla sailors conditions. attempting to join in It has become somewhat of a tradition to space and living on board is still They know the area better than after a carafé of wine. recreate the 1980 photo of the brothers and comfortable. most people so, not only will Barrie at the taverna and this year called for LEARN WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS THEO, BARRIE AND PAN Three brothers were another photo shoot. you be learning from the best, - 2020 responsible for setting If you and your family or friends you will also sail to some of the up the beach and taverna in the bay and to this Unfortunately Spiros passed away shortly after wish to book the whole boat nicest, away from it all, places. day Pan and Theo are still involved in the day to the 2010 photo was taken, but Pan and Theo are and a private instructor, this day running. still going strong. can easily be arranged. Simply contact the office for details.

OUR IRIS APARTMENT AND STUDIO BASE EXPANDS THE BENEFITS These courses will give you Christos and Effie have been The Sailing Holidays pontoon the knowledge and practical working hard over the past remains a wonderful escape OUR APPROACH skills needed to either crew or twelve months to extend their and helps us to give everyone Our instructors are excellent skipper a yacht (depending complex by half a dozen new unlimited time out on the and highly regarded for their which course you choose). apartments, another swimming water. (No need to rush professional approach. pool, and a taverna area. for space). We can have Our team will talk you through Our online training system allows electricity, water, and some the ins and outs of the course It looks fantastic but like you to complete the theory As we sail on into the future the evenings, even a poolside prior to booking to ensure we everyone, COVID has caused work in the comfort of your own need for a formal qualification barbecue. Children of course book the right option for you. them a huge headache. Those home, so there’s no need for a is edging ever closer. love the nice safe pools. who know our base there lengthy class based course. WHERE WILL WE SAIL A flotilla sailing holiday is a will know how much they will It is quite special to spend time Our RYA Courses sail in the THE DETAILS great grounding for your sailing appreciate our clientele after by the pool watching yachts Corfu, Faraway Islands and Unlike our flotilla holidays, knowledge and arguably a disastrous year in 2020. coming and going. Paxos areas. You will visit some you are buying berths on our teaches just as much about of the most beautiful harbours training yacht and should be boat handling generally as an and villages in the area. OLGA INTRODUCES THEIR MOST RECENT ARRIVAL aware that you will be sharing RYA Course. the yacht with other students. Many flotilla sailors will have visited Her daughter Markella-Meliza and However, we encourage OLGA WITH GRANDSON the village of Plataria whilst on son-in-law Vaggelis can often be However, you won’t be everyone to make the effort holiday. found helping out at the taverna, obliged to share a berth with to gain sailing qualifications. It and we are sure Christoforos someone you don’t know. The certainly makes life easier when This summer Barrie and Heidi paid will be roped in once he is old maximum ratio of participants dealing with “the system” and a visit and Olga was proud to enough. to instructors, on each yacht, also sets the holder up for an introduce them to her grandson, will be 4:1. expanded sailing future. Christoforos.

28 29 We were moored next to some We arrived and found that, Emerald Bay was almost familiar faces - Heather and apart from a fisherman laying deserted and whilst Dave and Duncan. They had been out nets, we had the bay to Ivan explored underwater the sailing for a few weeks already. ourselves. rest of us enjoyed the sunshine. They took advantage of one of EXPLORING THE CAVES IN We then began to make our our special offers to extend their TWO ROCK BAY way to our final destination for holiday for another fortnight. the day - Lakka. We spent the night in Steve and Lead Boat Sirocco and their Jerry’s taverna with the rest of MEL, BEX, JAMES, IVAN AND flotilla yachts were safely the flotilla. They would also be DAVE IN TWO ROCK BAY tucked in for the evening. setting off early for a trip though the canal with us. The next morning we were up and out early after enjoying a The lead crew filled us in on the gigantic chocolate croissant military operation that was to As the sun set we enjoyed some from the bakery. take place the following day. sundowners on the boat and Three flotillas (40 something Mel revelled in some child free THE LONDON OFFICE TEAM SET SAIL... boats in total) would be time! Spicy sausage pasta was Even Mel finds her sea legs (after 11 years) heading for the canal. on the menu this evening and SUNRISE ON THE WAY TO we tucked in whilst sharing a fter quite a summer, it was We collected our bags and After lunch and a little walk THE LEFKAS CANAL Amore of a joy than ever to were soon in Sivota. We had around Sivota, we blew up lovely bottle of red. be able to escape for a week a fabulous meal at 12 Gods a few paddle boards and Joyous yells woke us all early on the water. taverna. There is nothing quite ventured out to the mouth of and popping our heads up, we like sitting on the water front, the bay to watch the sun set. In October one of our Beneteau saw Ivan holding his first catch cold beer in hand enjoying Not a bad first day. of the day. Unfortunately it 50’s needed to be delivered SUNDOWNERS AT HARBOUR LIGHTS some fresh calamari. was tiny and would be his only north for the end of season PERFECT OCTOBER WEATHER Our next port of call was the catch of the entire week. Back October half term flotilla. We had breakfast at the Family The weather forecast for the yacht club at Corfu Town where Cafe and after a quick hello in the sea it went. A few of our London Office week was optimistic. We were we were booked in with Lead to Yianna headed to the team (Dave, Bex, Mel, Ivan and due to collect Mel in Preveza, One of the lead boats was We decided to explore the Boat Athina and their flotilla. supermarket for provisions. so our evening would be spent at the front of the group, one shoreline. Our little flotilla of 3 James) were more than happy Ivan spent the day fruitlessly in Spartahori. somewhere in the middle and paddle boards and a dinghy to lend a hand. Barrie and Heidi were also trawling his hand line but there the last crew brought up the set off for some spectacular staying in Sivota and invited the On the way we stopped off were still no fish to be found. A WHOLE NEW WORLD rear. It was quite a sight to caves. We paddled along the team up to Villa Meandros for a at Abeliki Bay (on the north of As we stepped on the plane we behold and we can’t imagine coast to a rocky beach, where Corfu Town was by far the look around. Meganisi island) and long lined ran into several of our regular what it must have looked like we went ashore and had a rest busiest place we saw all to shore. flotilla sailors. It was lovely to be from the land. before heading back. week. We ventured into the able to begin catching up with Once again we launched backstreets for a traditional Once through into the North The sun was now high in the people even before we had left the paddle boards and Dave Greek meal before heading Ionian we headed to Preveza sky and we decided to lift the the ground. decided it would be the back to the boat. town to pick up our final crew anchor and head for Anti-Paxos perfect opportunity for some After speaking to many of you member. As we headed into where we would anchor, this On our final day we set sail drone shots. The water was on the phone this summer, it the buoyed channel, Mel’s time for some lunch. for Gouvia so we could get crystal clear and unbelievably was great to be able to put plane flew overhead and in early. We moored up in the warm. EMERALD BAY ALMOST TO OURSELVES faces to names. landed at Preveza airport. marina and caught up with our We raised the anchor and Corfu shorebased team before Upon arrival at Preveza two After a quick turnaround and set our course for Spartahori. heading up to our workshop to of the crew of the yacht were some provisioning we were off OFFICE MEETING AT VILLA MEANDROS James took the wheel for his see everyone there. chosen for random COVID again. first attempt at parking. He testing at the airport. We were We all got stuck into Heidi’s We joined a few of our shore managed it perfectly and This time our destination was pleased to say that 24 hours homemade flapjacks and based team for dinner at taverna owner Jerry passed us Two Rock Bay, just a few hours later the results were negative. coffee, while Ivan and Barrie Harry’s taverna and raised a a lazy line from the quay. north of Preveza. discussed fishing tactics. glass to the strangest summer.

30 SAILING HOLIDAYS: It all started with a Jag... I have seen Pelagos every time that we have put into Fiskardo since then – obviously, she is I have never The start of so many life adventures... privately owned now but it is still lovely to see her CLIVE SAILING PELAGOS IN THE been the sort SOUTH IONIAN REGATTA IN 2014 and remember that first flotilla. People often believe the ability to sail the emerald waters of the Greek islands in the of person who comfort of their own yacht is well out of reach! However, those looking for adventure enjoys sunbathing At the end of that holiday, I was able to tell manage to find us one way or another. A Sailing Holidays flotilla is often the beginning of an or reading a Skipper Archie that, at the age of 57, I had just even greater sailing story and we have compiled just a few of those stories here. book beside a had the best holiday of my life. swimming pool It resulted in me wanting to get some whilst on holiday qualifications – I started with Day Skipper and at From flotillas to boat building... It took six months of evenings and weekends to – a trait that my complete, but I sailed it for the first time on the present, have reached Yachtmaster Coastal. In My sailing experience wife, Debz, has become used to. I prefer to be Marine Lake at West Kirby. order to get enough experience for Yachtmaster started in 2012 on indulging in an activity and exploring an area. Offshore, I realised that I needed my own boat. our first flotilla in Since those early days, my wife and I have So when, in 2014, she asked me where I would I settled upon a 30ft bilge keeler (Egret) and the Ionian. We had come a long way, dinghy courses on the Menai like to go on holiday, she was not surprised when I bought her in Portland, sailed her home to booked a Beneteau Straits, day skipper and coastal skipper courses. I said that I had always fancied a flotilla holiday Swansea in April 2018. 361 to sail on the two Even though we now have a Beneteau First in Greece. She did surprise me however when week North to South 21.7 based at Conway marina, we always she said “well, let’s do it!”. I countered with “I On 1st May 2019, I set off to circumnavigate Ionian flotilla. On book our annual Sailing Holidays flotilla, having Britain – a trip that covered 1800 miles and took DEREK COMPETING IN 2016 think you need some qualifications” and she board with me was done one every year since that first one in the parried with “just look into it, can’t you?”. 10 weeks (I made use of the Caledonian and my wife Chris, plus our three children. Ionian. Thanks to Sailing Holidays we have now Crinan canals). I met up with various couples experienced sailing in the Saronics and the I duly looked into it and this led to us joining our and individuals that I knew from my travels with We loved the adventure and the camaraderie Sporades as well. first Sailing Holidays flotilla at the Iris pontoon at Sailing Holidays. Nick and Judy in Hamble, Andy of the other boats. Nothing could ever be better Nidri in September 2014 and stepping aboard who joined the crew in Hartlepool and sailed to than that first flotilla, but I was determined to try. This year we returned to the Ionian for a one Pelagos, one of the old Jaguar 27’s. week flotilla during the pandemic and much to Scotland with us, Dave and Wendy who were After searching all the second hand boat adverts our surprise and joy, met our first skipper Charlie The following day, after the necessary briefings caravanning near Oban and, Mike and Joyce my daughter said “Dad, just build your own again, which brought back all our wonderful (now a familiar routine but, at that time, an with whom we met up at Otters Ferry. boat”. I found plans on the internet for what memories of that flotilla. intense educational experience) we set off on That week, in September 2014, spent in the South looked like a nice little sailing dinghy. Derek Evans the short hop to Spartahori. With sails set for the Ionian has changed our lives completely and it first time, my dinghy-sailing experience trickled all “started with a Jag”. back (rather than flooding). Phil and Linda conquer the Med Admittedly we Clive Rosser dragged our heels for For many years we had a 31 foot sailing yacht two years sightseeing and sailed the South East coast of England and Tanya and Gary become sea gypsies That evening I handed Gary a book titled “Learn in Portugal, Spain, to Sail” and told him of my leap of faith - that we crossed the Channel a few times usually dressed My husband Gary and I were enjoying a glass of Sardinia, Sicily and really could become sea gypsies. in a thermal base layer of clothing, with a fleecey wine whilst observing marina life and in particular, Italy along the way mid layer and topped with a waterproof outer PHIL, BARRIE AND LINDA IN LAKKA a boat mooring up. A favourite pastime of ours Sailing the Whole Ionian in Greece was fantastic but eventually arrived layer. whilst on holiday, yet we had never spoken with exception of the day we found ourselves into Corfu in July this year. What a summer about a shared desire to sail. with full sails up in strong local winds and the jib In 2013 we tried our first flotilla holiday in the we have had sailing the Ionian. would not furl. I remember Gary saying “if you South Ionian with Sailing Holidays on the I decided that we should not let this dream drift Our first flotilla lead crew amazed us with their cannot be of any use, go below”. I was indeed recommendation of friends. The spell was cast! and therefore I set about ringing many sailing care and capabilities and even now though we useless, panic had taken over. But it has made a No more bulky clothing - yay! - Sailing all day in flotilla companies to see if anyone would let us aren’t part of the flotillas we always have a chat great laughable talking point for many years. only a swimsuit and sun cream. book a holiday (even though we had zero sailing with the crews when we share a quay. We decided there and then when we retired experience). After our holiday I remember waking up each Thanks to that very first flotilla with Sailing Holidays weekend to Gary searching the internet for a we would sell up and buy a bigger yacht and After many calls, Barrie of that inspired us to work towards living our dream! boat. We finally did buy a sweet 22 ft Jaguar. live aboard, sailing all around Greece. In the TANYA ON HOLIDAY Sailing Holidays said “is meantime keeping our interest alive on more your husband practical?” A year later we bought Sandpiper, a Sigma 36. Phil and Linda Brown Canny Zesty - flotilla holidays with Sailing Holidays. Káνει Ζέστη To which I answered Fast forward to the present day, we have quit We retired in 2017 and bought our Bavaria 37 The Greeks find our boat name very funny - in without hesitation YES and our jobs, live full time on board and are taking and sailed her out of Dartmouth in August 2018 Greek it means “it’s hot” and in Geordie it means the holiday was booked. small steps towards the dream of sailing oceans. “pretty spicy”. Yippee! en route to Greece. Tanya Moxon 32 33 At this point, an acidity test is done, which shows the quality IT MIGHT BE TIME TO CHECK YOUR PASSPORT of the oil. Ours was 0.6 which apparently means that the As an old person I find it incredible that systems oil is extra virgin. The oil was find so many ways to complicate things, so that transferred into our tins through they encourage everyone to ensure they renew what looked like a petrol pump. LABELING UP ON THE their passports nice and early but potentially THE HAUL KITCHEN TABLE Other local people were also punish them later for doing so. there doing their own crops, At this rate, following this intercountry THE FIRST VILLA MEANDROS and we felt like real olive oil bureaucratic master plan to its logical OLIVE OIL virgins with our shiny new tins. conclusion, during someone’s lifetime, the expiry All the locals had old plastic dates could possibly even come up before the Chainsaw man Pedro had containers sometimes with only ‘valid from’ date! Bloody marvellous! booked us a slot at the local rags stuffed in the top. We thought we ought to mention a bit of processing plant, so we loaded craziness in relation to passports. In the UK, if a The Government website says the following: We ended up with 77 litres of up his truck and set off. 5 or 10 year British passport was renewed early, olive oil, which was brilliant. We “You’ll need to have at least 6 months left on an the system simply added on a few months by We purchased half a dozen were advised to leave the tops adult or child passport to travel to most countries renewing it for 5 or ten years from the expiry shiny new tins (what I knew as off the tins and cover them with in Europe (not including Ireland). ‘four gallon tins’) from the local date. Simple you might think? GETTING STUCK something breathable for a few If you renewed your current passport before the INTO COLLECTING mini market on the way and days after which it would be Nope! Apparently in Europe a passport is only previous one expired, extra months may have n January, we flew to Greece optimism was high. ready for bottling. valid from the issue date for the prescribed 5 or been added to its expiry date. Any extra months to touch base with our crew, I We duly tipped our olives, one 10 years! In addition, passports must be current on your passport over 10 years will not count then we popped down to the A few dozen bottles were bag at a time, into an outside for at least 6 months after the date of travel. This towards the 6 months needed.” villa for a winter break. ordered and several days later hopper where a special belt means that in reality it is a good idea to have we began bottling it on the We would recommend using the online “Passport Our friend Dave suggested that took them past a blower to at least twelve months validity to cover the six kitchen table. Checker” which you can find by clickinghere. we prune our olive trees and remove any remaining leaves. months and also cover any time that sensible collect the olives. The idea was to give bottles to and diligent people might have incurred to get Good job we all have a sense of humour! We’re anyone we knew, so a label their passports renewed nice and early. hopeful Brexit won’t change anything else as He knew of an olive pressing making man in Vliho produced Now that things are computerised, some old Greece is very keen to keep us coming. operation where it was possible labels for us and bingo, we had flexibilities are being eroded so we insert this in The object of this piece is to remind everybody to have the olives converted our own olive oil. to oil. We had 2 helpers, one our newsletter just to try to get our flotilla sailors to reading this newsletter to double check all your of whom had a chain saw, All the locals had their own oil, check their passports NOW, just to be sure. crew’s passports! so suddenly we were olive so visitors were very happy to collectors. have our posh olive oil. There GOING FOR PROCESSING will still be plenty for those who We started on Monday morning stay at Villa Meandros in 2021. SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE UPBEAT and by Wednesday afternoon They were then washed a few we had 13 sacks full of olives times before being weighed, For those uninitiated, olive oil is and were happy to straighten rolled and pressed into a pulp. not made by crushing the olives Ex-Skipper Nik and his wife Becca met when he She has perfected the bowline but her younger our backs out again! This travelled into another with Barrie’s big feet – that’s was engineer on our Saronic Flotilla. They live in sister Ivy doesn’t seem to quite grasp what is machine and emerged into a grapes. Turks and Caicos where they are raising their two going on. EMPTYING THE SACKS stainless tub as perfect looking daughters and Nik is skipper on a catamaran. A fascinating (and tasty) life It is always good to see the training starting AT THE FACTORY fairly bright yellow olive oil. experience! Earlier in the year they sent us a video of their young! We can see some future skippers in the There was a lovely roaring eldest daughter Amelia practising her knots. making here. fire going and a really nice THE FINISHED PRODUCT atmosphere. They explained (STILL HAS TO SETTLE) that it was traditional to try our oil with a piece of bread dunked into it, so we did just that! It was warm and quite strong in taste.

34 35 SAILING OPTIONS ACROSS THE MEDITERRANEAN Sailing Holidays Ltd When you have tried all our flotilla sailing areas, you may wish to consider branching out to a YACHT CHARTER DIVISION new area or larger yacht, so check out a few possibilities below: YACHT CHARTER (Bareboat) SKIPPERED YACHT CHARTER LUXURY CREWED CHARTER For those with sailing For those new to sailing or (skipper and hostess on board) qualifications (minimum ICC or simply wishing to relax and this is a bit more expensive but RYA Day Skipper Practical). begin to learn the ropes. a real getaway in comfort.

This sector of our programme This is a popular option for those Luxury yacht charter costs a is where we offer sailing wishing to experience sailing bit more as the yacht is larger holidays on specialist Bareboat and take their first foray out and fully crewed. Breakfast companies yachts in countries onto the water with a skipper and lunch are provided and across the Med. who will know their way around you can also choose to dine on the area. This caters for those who require board in the evening (although we highly recommend taking a larger yachts than we have, Certainly, couples, groups and trip ashore). operate in areas other than families all seem to enjoy that where we operate, or even as aspect of these trips. It especially allows for unique overflow when our flotillas are nights at anchor under the In particular, discovering private booked. We prefer not to offer brightest stars you will have ever bays, going out to local eateries budget yachts. seen. and letting the wind decide Mediterranean sailing is your evening destination is a Greece generally remains our continually evolving and we liberating way to travel. most popular cruising area develop with it. The key is our although Croatia is gaining in Med sailing in the morning is knowledge of the core aspects popularity. usually quite sedate and late of travel and sailing. afternoon sailing can be a bit Broadly, you will find incredible Bareboat charter is an excellent more exciting - the choice is history in all these areas and, next step after a few flotillas yours. above all, fantastic fresh and and the gaining of formal healthy food. Skippered charter caters for qualifications through the RYA. complete beginners at an extra One of the nicest aspects Those wishing to spread their cost for the skipper - not full of sailing in the Med is not sailing wings will have to be luxury, but still enjoyable and a knowing or caring about what is more self-reliant, as there will be chance to have a go at sailing happening in the outside world. no lead yacht crew on hand. with onboard supervision. It is quite noticeable that, after Having said that, chartering a Your skipper will give you a go a couple of weeks on the water, bareboat can be a life affirming whenever it is appropriate and the television news appears to adventure for experienced explain all sorts of aspects of be the same as when you left. sailors and a true getaway. sailing generally.

One key to our success is the protection of your money through our ABTOT membership. In addition we are long standing members of AITO (a group of 150 specialist holiday companies).

GREECE CROATIA TURKEY SPAIN ITALY Call us on: 020 8438 1133 or visit our website: sailingholidays.com/yacht-charter 36 37 Yacht SKIPPERED SAILING ON KALOKERI (BRILLIANT FOR THOSE NEW TO SAILING) Charter OR INDEPENDENT SAILING FOR THOSE QUALIFIED TO DO SO Division The joy of a skippered LARGER LUXURY YACHTS charter is, even though it is Our other one week 50 foot not the cheapest option, the yacht is almost fully booked for responsibility involved in being the summer. So, if you want a SUNSET IN PALAIROS in charge of the yacht is taken week on Kalokeri, it’s the same out of your hands. FIN LOOKING VERY HAPPY WITH HIS GYROS price as the 50’s plus the cost of You can choose to be as hands a skipper if you need one. on as you wish whilst safe in the Kalokeri is a classic Beneteau knowledge that your skipper 52.3 where en-suite luxury is the will be on hand to make sure prime consideration. The three everything runs smoothly. large cabins are extremely comfortable and there is lots of SKIPPERED CHARTER INDEPENDENT SAILING outdoor space for just relaxing. Kalokeri has long been the Many of our flotilla yachts can The “master cabin” is enormous! be booked on an independent MORNING COFFEE flagship yacht of our flotillas. IN LONGOS Last year we decided to switch sailing basis (including Kalokeri). YACHT CHARTER DIVISION MANAGER FIN ENJOYS INDEPENDENT her from full time flotilla service The bonus of this is you know SEPTEMBER BAREBOAT SAILING IN THE IONIAN so that she could operate that the standard of the yacht as a skippered charter or an is going to be high. Our rigorous independent sailing option. maintenance programme aving sailed in the Ionian for THROUGH TO THE SOUTH IONIAN Our evening was spent lounging She will be based from our ensures your boat is in the best Hmany years, returning to this An early start was required as at the yacht club and eating at pontoon at the Iris Hotel in Nidri, possible condition. fantastic area is akin to dining we prepared to take on our one of my favourite restaurants, which is an ideal starting point out on your favourite dish. biggest day – a 45 mile stretch the New Mill Tavern. In addition, our shore based for exploring all the Southern team can simply hop in a RIB Casting off from Gouvia to Abeliki Bay on the northern Thursday began with another Ionian area has to offer. and be with you in a flash Marina, I was curious to see side of Meganisi Island. serene and cloudless morning Our professional skippers know (should you need them). As an aside, there are how many other yachts we Once moored in Abeliki bay, as we plotted a course for this sailing area inside out and smaller yachts available for would encounter as we set sail we strolled over to Vathi for Sivota. Those wishing to sail as an for Paxos. To my delight there will be able to show you all the independent yacht will be independent sailing, so if you sundowners and dinner. Unlike most other places, it was were far fewer yachts than hidden gems. He or she has required to hold either an RYA fancy one of our flotilla yachts After a tasty lunch in a bay refreshing to see the town in full expected, both in bays and their own separate cabin at Practical Day Skipper certificate as a bareboat (on the same on the south eastern side of flow with tavernas along the towns. the forward end, so your own or a valid ICC (International flight inclusive arrangement waterfront as busy as usual with Meganisi, a strong breeze privacy, if required, is assured. Certificate of Competence) at as the flotillas) - best to get it LONGOS TO OURSELVES picked up. tables just a bit further apart. Your skipper will be happy to the least. booked. This is a popular option After a calm 30 mile passage We set the sails one last time SETTING SAIL FOR KIONI show you the ropes, and get for couples. we arrived at Longos, where we and made for Ay Euphemia on A fantastic reach saw us you and your crew as involved found ourselves to be the only Kefalonia. One last day of sun, topping 9 knots before we as you wish in the practical yacht in the harbour. swimming and sailing before eventually tied up in Kioni. An sailing element of the holiday. returning to the UK. Day two got off to a lazy start unforgettable day followed by They will also recommend the and we motored down to an excellent dinner at the Three It goes without saying that you best village tavernas, bays Emerald Bay. Mills – highly recommended. can never tire of the Ionian as a and inform you about the area sailing area. Every time you visit What a treat to be here at a We set course northbound back generally. you will be guaranteed to find time like this, I challenge you to to the mainland, where we a bay you haven’t anchored in You can choose to invite find clearer water! Following a anchored outside the harbour before or a taverna you are yet them to join you for dinner lunch of classic Greek fare, we in a traditional Greek town to try. or dine alone (they won’t be meandered into Gaios. called Palairos. offended).

38 39 NOTE If you would prefer a printed copy of this newsletter, please email us with your address and we will get one to you in the post. [email protected]

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