We have been travelling very slowly over the past week spending 2/3 days at each anchorage. The Northern Sporades are much greener than the Cyclades and easier on the eye (the light is softer). We have also managed to have a few anchorages to ourselves – what a treat. The Northerly winds (Meltemi) have not yet set in here but even so we hope to be across to the Eastern Sporades before they are – usually July, hence we will moving north-east over the next few weeks and may try to get north as far as Mt Athos if the weather allows. This will include our longest passage – about 40 nm (8 hours @ 5kts per hour) but not if we have to punch into the Northerly or North Easterly winds. In sailor speak we will be looking for the “weather window”.
Church at Tsoungria – Skiathos in background 
Church bell – Tsoungria Island 
Church at Tsoungria – MacSea in background
We spent 3 nights at a beautiful little beach on an uninhabited island called Tsoungria near the main town of Skiathos. There once was a huge Olive Oil business on this island but we were unable to find out when/why it was abandoned. The buildings and all the oil pressing equipment has been left to rust and decay. We were able to explore, albeit carefully because the ceilings, roofs and walls are decaying all around and falling in. Definitely no OH&S here! Much of the old machinery is still there – the actual stones and olive press, the shaker cart to separate the leaves from the olives and most impressive were 4 beautiful amphorae set into the ground where, I presume, the olive oil was stored. What I wouldn’t give to take one of them home! The abandoned olive grove ran up the valley, now home to a few wild goats and many migratory birds.
Olives were dropped into this press and crushed by the rotating stone wheels 
Still completely intact terracotta amphorae used to store Olive oil 
Abandoned machinery with shaker cart (to separate leaves and branches from olives) in background
Old and gnarly olive tree 
Barns and houses decaying among the abandoned olive grove 
Old buildings containing Olive Press
We were anchored in 4 metres of crystal clear water and have seen our first schools of fish. Snorkelling out over the rock platform nearby John spied a large octopus proving there is still some fish life here in the north. Maybe we will try some fishing again after our dismal efforts last season.
Yacht made out of drift wood 
MacSea at anchor off Tsoungria beach 
Dinner with Chris and Elaine, S/Y Ginny – MacSea and Ginny in background, Skiathos
Boat friends we met in Orei, Chris and Elaine (SY Ginny) and Ian & Victoria (SY Coco de Mer) joined us at Skiathos in the anchorage west of the main harbour. We had a few very pleasant sunset drinks and late dinners out at local restaurants. We also discovered a water tap above the beach for public use. The island has some beautiful sweet spring water so we purchased another 20L plastic can and ferried 80L back to the boat to top off our water tanks. Should be good for a couple of weeks now that we can swim each day but will still have to watch our consumption.
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