September Sailing

Nigel and Mo explored Bibinje by bike before setting sail and were entranced by the skill of a kite surfer in the harbour as he sped at lightning speeds across a narrow stretch and turned effortlessly to tank back. He even stopped to talk to some friends on the other side whilst his kite loitered above in some considerable wind.

He made sailing look easy and the very next day we set off north seduced by the very temporary southern set of the winds. No more than 5 miles later, the wind settled into the north, so a beat it was bound to be.

We spent a very pleasant few days in Molat, Rava, Sali and a favourite anchorage at Uvula Statival on Kornat, sometimes visiting places we had not previously seen. Views of Sali and Statival below.

On Saturday 13^th September we headed into Brbinj to meet up with friends Alan and Pam Penson from Lymington, due to arrive the next day on the car ferry in the adjacent bay.

Quite coincidentally we moored alongside friends Jane and Jeremy from Halberg Rassy Hebe June, Cruising Association friends made in Sukosan, and we gate crashed their evening to help them eat a most delicious but enormous sea bass at the very good Antonio’s restaurant!

We were delighted to welcome Pam and Alan on board on Sunday morning as they arrived off the ferry and we soon set sail to the island of Iz to seek shelter from the strong southerly winds forecast for the next few days. The winds did indeed arrive and kept everyone in port for the duration of Monday. On Tuesday we set off and had an interesting beat in 25 – 30 knots of true wind. Needless to say we were well reefed but were quite glad to make Lake Telescica, our next port of refuge for a couple of days.

We dinghied ashore and walked across the hills to the port of Sali, south facing and not a place to choose for enduring the weather, but we were entertained to many boats attempting tie ups to the quay in less than desirable conditions.

With the wind behind us for the next leg we made Rava and had a lovely overnight stay on a sheltered buoy. Our foray to find provisions proved rather fruitless as the village had very few amenities, but we enjoyed the walk although it did prove to be rather too hard a climb for Nigel’s new hip. He was then assigned to quarters for a couple of days.

Rava to Ist, Ist to Molat where we are now. A spectacular thunderstorm broke over us last night and today we are waiting for a Bura to blow through over night. Some views of Molat below