My second FAC adventure started in Athens...

Where I caught a Hellenic Services fast ferry to Julian’s mooring in Paros. His classic Hallsberg-Rassy 42 is a sturdy solid boat – which as we encountered big gusts of wind and 3m waves off Loutra, thanks to the infamous Meltemi – it was a blessing that we were not in a small ‘plastic’ charter boat!

Over two weeks during September 2011 we enjoyed all the Greek Cyclades and Saronics had to offer. Beautiful moonlit lagoons like Vathi on Sifnos were a true delight, as was our one day round the island sprint of Milos. Then up to Kithnos and Kea day transits, before we sailed over to Poros, Spetses and finally Hydra - Leonard Cohen’s preferred haunt. It was definitely an action packed crew sail experience for me… and Julian was very generous in the amount of helm time he allowed me.

During my time on the boat there was no cooker, so we ate ashore in the evenings, but a new oven was finally fitted the day before my departure. My only difficulty was the old salt laden sheets, lines and halyards, but I know that many of these will be changed new for next season.

Julian is a highly competent skipper, very diligent on things mechanical, and copes well under pressure – so I would happily recommend him as a very safe choice for any other FAC.net crew seeking to gain knowledge of the idyllic Aegean region.