Just a short one and a half hour motor across to Alonnisos to an anchorage in the lovely bay of Rousoumi (pictured) just next to the main harbour of Patitiri. The bay was really only big enough for 1 or 2 boats and we were anchored in the middle in crystal clear water. The white sand beach was covered in sun beds with umbrellas (EUR 6 per day) and plenty of Tavernas. It was a short walk over the hill to the main town and on the way we found the butcher, bakery and small supermarket. The town is centred around the harbour and doesn’t have a lot of visible history but still is quaint with a lovely cool tree-lined central square and seats to admire the sea views. The town quay here was free but quite shambolic with anchors crossed and many nationalities shouting at each other. We were quite happy to be all alone in the other bay.

Alonissos was the first place in Greece to declare part of the island a marine park to protect the endangered Monk seals. They live in many of the caves dotted around the island’s shoreline and, if disturbed, will leave their young and flee. We spent a couple of very pleasant days here and visited the (air conditioned) Monk seal information exhibit. Scuba diving is a thriving industry here as well as supervised visits to the seal colonies. The government have made a couple of the smaller northern islands marine sanctuaries and all visitation is banned. We could see a window of opportunity to get further north to our most northern Island this year, Thassos, so headed off up Alonissos to the off lying island of Peristera for an overnight anchorage and preparation for our next leg up to the Khalkidhiki Peninsula. This meant missing out on two more of the Northern Sporades islands of Nisos Kyra Pangaea and Nisidro Gioura but such is life on the high seas – ruled by the wind gods.

Aeolus – Keeper of the winds