Our ferry journey from Rhodes to Leros was a dream! Calm seas, lovely views and a little onboard picnic. 😍
Before we knew it we were arriving in Leros to be greeted by the fabulous Tracey & Jaques. ❤️
It is so lovely to see Tracey again and to see Jaques after almost a year!
We drove across to the next bay where our hotel was and enjoyed a late but fun drink and catch up.
The fabulous Mossy Joe, Tracey & Jaques Trimaran, is currently out of the water having essential maintenance work done. So Grantley & I are staying in a cute little place nearby. This is mainly because there is no water onboard and getting on and off involves climbing up and down a small steep, ladder! Not much fun in the middle of the night when you need a wee! 😳
We spent the next few days exploring the beautiful island of Leros.
It appears that Grantley & I bought the weather with us, as it’s been glorious sunshine, unlike last week which was apparently cold and wet!
Panteli Beach where we are staying is stunning, a small bay with a lovely old fishing harbour.
It’s still pre season so it’s quiet and there are very few tourists about, but lots of locals out enjoying the weather and the Easter break.
We found a fabulous little cafe down in the beach, which we have visited many times.
The first time we went a fabulous older lady appeared, walking with her little sausage dog.
When she arrived at the Cafe the waiter immediately started moving chairs for her, so she had the comfiest seat with the best view, she was wearing a black dress, leopard print trainers, with a red highlight, a fabulous Leopard print bomber jacket with ‘Chaos’ printed in red on the back, she sat, she lit a cigarette, the waiter bought her an Ouzo and she sat there looking as cool as fuck!! What an absolute legend! I want to be like her when I grow up! 😍
We visited Tracey and Jaques at the Marina, it’s so weird seeing the boat out of the water. It is getting sanded and new anti foul paint put on.
We left Jaques working and wandered into town, Lakki, we had a mooch then some delicious lunch at a really great place, they had a very small menu and once something is gone it’s gone! It was full of locals and the food was amazing.
Easter is a big thing here in Greece. So on Good Friday, when Jaques and Tracey weren’t working we had a tour around the island. Tracey & Jaques wanted to visit the castle, which is high up on a strategic cliff on the island. They have tried to visit 3 times already and it’s never open. Well, today it was open and very busy. There is a stunning little Greek Orthodox Church within the grounds was obviously going to be a mass, as lots of the local people had made their way up the hill and were gathered by the church.
We looked around and admired the glorious views then left before the service and popped to Agia Marina, another fabulous little place for some lunch and a look around.
Everywhere is so photogenic! The colours of the Mediterranean, the boats, the White Houses and the flowers!
Again we are benefiting from being here in Spring so we can enjoy all the gorgeous flowers and fresh growth.
Part of the Easter celebrations appear to be letting off millions of fire crackers, and other louder more scary sounding exploding things! 💥💥
This happens all day and most of the night!
We went out for a fabulous meal on Good Friday night, to a place in Lakki, a little Italian that Tracey & Jaques love, they have got to know the owner over the last 2 years, Gabriella. The restaurant is in a perfect spot to watch the Easter Parade go past, which was wonderful and extremely loud! 💥❤️
We were joined by another couple of guys, Dan, who has a boat here, but lives in England and runs a Gin Distillery called Cotswolds Distillery. Then another guy called Ray, who has lived here for many years, he was funny and a great character. We all had a fabulous time, Gabriella’s food was delicious, all made to order, we had fun, food, wine and firecrackers! A brilliant night. ❤️💚
I had a slight headache the next day! 😜
I have also discovered a new favourite drink. It’s called Masika. It’s a Greek aperitif, not quite as popular as Ouzo, but I love it. It is made and seasoned with a resin from the Mastic tree, grown on the island of Chios, it has a distinctive piney, herby taste. It’s delicious.
The boat was due back in the water on Saturday, which went ahead but after a bit of phaffing and the usual issues that come up once the boat is in the water, we won’t be leaving Leros until Sunday.
On Saturday Grantley and I had a chilled day hanging out in Panteli Beach, wandering about, having great food and enjoying watching the world go by. The colours at sunset were unbelievably gorgeous.
I have loved spending time here in Leros, it’s a fabulous island, if you’re thinking of Island hopping in the Dodecanese add it to your list.
It’s also been wonderful being with Tracey & Jaques again.
Grantley is going to learn so much about sailing and Mossy Joe while he is here, which will stand him in good stead for when he is part of the Mossy Joe crew for the Atlantic Crossing later in the year!
Our crossing from Leros to Patmos was beautiful, calm seas, sunshine and the wind in our hair! 🩵
Patmos looks fabulous and we arrived in time to enjoy the local Easter Celebrations in the town square.
A wonderful start to our island hopping adventure.
Have a great Bank holiday everyone.
🐣💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡🩷🐣
Books read.
I’ve nearly finished Birds without wings! (It’s a big book!)
Hereandthereclaire.com 