Samos and Greek departure.

                                                                                 

Didn't realise it had been so long since my last update.Time passes fast!

Went back into Rhodes Marina and met up with Ali who was visiting Greeks over there. She stayed in the luxury fore cabin suite with ensuite (if she bored through the bulkhead) ,so in fact all she got was the sound effects. 

I had to train her in the basics of toilet habits boat style and hand pumping then she was qualified for the trip up to Samos. It turned out as a motor all the way but still fun .Stopping for deep sea swims ,popping into Turkey at an anchorage which was one of the nicest I've stopped at with an amphitheatre by the water (ruins of course ,I'm going to revisit that one). 

Wasn't sure if that was legal but no one stopped us. Next anchorage was Agonothisi ,a little harbour with crystal water and virtually closed down for winter but still lovely. Next was an anchorage on the south side of Samos. 

Dingy ashore then a walk round the bay through an old olive grove no humans little ruined work houses ,no one there brilliant.Next stop Vathy in Samos harbour.

Ali left to stay with her friends .I got the fear because local fisherman said the southerly coming was going to be dangerous and I didn't need a repeat of the Spanish episode !

I moved to the other side of harbour which was also free, big positive but possible precursor to disaster.Interestingly there was a yacht over there which had come in with immigrants .All unlocked bits of rotting fruit on deck and open hatched. I noticed a paddle on board which seemed to be doing nothing so removed it about 4 in the morning as it could have blown off and damaged some one .Strangely enough it's the same size as one of my damaged ones ,and a fender seemed a bit loose. Don't know if the immigrants got away but no ones doing anything with the boat! 

Had a barby up at the Greeks place on the side of a hill ,amazing little village infested with cats who obviously were used to rich pickings at bbq's.

Moved back to the main harbour jetty again then bugger me northerly wind picked up and the boat was seriously in danger of riding up on to the low concrete jetty with a slightly raised water level.Italian coast guard immigrant hunters came out to watch and gesticulate. They were really nice but I decided it was more risky to cast off and try to anchor so they lent me two big fenders which did the trick but is was a rocking noisy night.

Departure day .Sent from pillar to post with various bits of paper to get scribbled on.Only one complete cuttle fish of a boss woman in the customs department caused my hackles to rise and she was wrong , however she turned out to be a mere mosquito,

Some bloke in passport office realised I'd been in Schengen for 15 days more than that slimy shit Cameron has opted us into (reminds me, I'm emailing Sunak to tell him what I think of his decision to employ that double chinned waste of skin.) Up shot of this eagle eyed conscientious administrator's observation is that I've been fined 600 euros.Not good news .I don't even feel bitter towards him 

,he was really nice and  I think was new to the job as he had to call some scruffy overweight hippy with a south African accent who wanted to apply the letter of the law and I think was training the young bloke. So all is not lost as my name appears to be Robert William on the piece of paper and i dont have to pay it until I get to England .Might struggle to get in to Greece for 4 years if I dont pay it but its not a priority,I have diesel to buy. Bear in mind that in Spain, I had over stayed for 8 months and theirs and Italy's fine scale is much higher than Greece's ,I got lucky.

Got out of there sharpish after that little debacle and confusion over whether I could anchor in Greek waters on way to Turkey decided to go straight to Turkey and here I sit in Didim marina .Anchored outside over night to make the most of the 75 euro/ day mooring charge but very nice and first proper hot shower for two weeks.Yes, obviously I wash ! usually- when swimming with the occasional Glaswegian bath in between .Seems to work. Not sure where to next,decide tomorrow! but not Greece.