The Island of Skopelos
After a wonderful 32 NM downwind sail all the way from the top of Panayia to Skopelos Town on the east side of the island, we dropped our pick and motored back to the very busy quay without a problem.
Skopelos is a very beautiful and fertile island with vines, olives, almonds, pears, citrus fruit and plums being grown all over it! It was for a long time considered a remote place, that was until Mama Mia catapulted it into a ´must see´ place!
Having hooked up to power and filled the boat with much needed water, we went exploring, me taking piccies, of course, and David in search of a hairdressers, and boy did he need one! He actually found 3, all closed, and one that said on the door it would open in an hour, so he dutifully waited until way past the hour with still no sign of the hairdresser until he popped his head into the neighboring shop and asked. The young girl said yes it should be open, but then remembered the day and said, no, it was closed all day! Perhaps had David been able to read the Greek sign on the door, he would have sussed that! Still his time wasn’t entirely wasted as he found a wonderful little restaurant in the back streets, away from the crowds, for us to have dinner at that evening.
Skopelos Town
Ooh, he’s a big boy on our bow! 
And Yes, David was in dire need of one! 
Romantic dinner for 2!
The following morning, I wandered into the tiny Chora above the front, which comprised of a church, a few deserted higglety piggelty streets with a wonderful view across the bay.
Meanwhile David went back to the hairdressers, who gave him an appointment, yes you guessed it, an hour later! So he wandered back to the front for a freddo cappucino and to watch the world go by. Whilst enjoying his coffee, surrounded by lots of tourists all waiting for their ferries, the high-speed SeaJet came in, people were all ready to board in a queue. A few minutes past and it blew its horn, warning of its imminent departure, when suddenly two tables of youngsters with cases and backpacks all started looking at each other around me, got up and started sprinting for the ferry over the road, it was hysterical. What was even funnier was that as they approached the ferry the gangplank started lifting and a policeman stopped them about 10 yards short. Much to the amusement of myself and a small number of locals that were all having a chuckle at their expense.
A little later, and after I had my hubbie back without his curls, I joined him for another freddo cappucino and watched a beautiful yacht get its knickers in a twist, having snagged something with her anchor, hand in our mouths expecting a ferry to turn up any moment, as she was most definitely in its turning circle! Thankfully one didn’t show, but it didn’t stop a gullet, getting impatient, leaving the dock and getting dangerously close in the process, and a tourist boat joining in the fun!
Getting a little close! 
Helpful, not, particularly as they aren´t slow!
We left Skopelos town soon after and motored round the headland in 0 wind to a wonderful bay on the South coast called Panaramou. Still grateful for there being little wind, we managed to anchor and reverse close to the shore so David didn’t need to do his Michael Phelps impression when taking our long lines ashore.´Dare I say it, we even looked professional, for once!
Panaramou
The south cove was so protected, calm and peaceful, we decided to stay there for 2 nights, only venturing from the boat to go swimming, paddle boarding and taking the dinghy for a spin across the bay for dinner at the local taverna, washed down with our usual 1-2 litre of red, and then a little more… all set for the inevitable giggles clambering in and out of the dinghy in the dark, at least we remembered a torch for once!
Red wine of course!
Our next stop was on the south west tip, a once sleepy place called Loutraki that has now grown into a modest tourist resort, being invaded every day by visitors from Skiathos by ferry. Our little jetty was a little way from the town, so was surprisingly peaceful, even the ferries and hydrofoils came into the harbour so slowly, we didn’t feel it.
Loutraki
One of the reasons for stopping at this touristy place was to go up the hill to explore Glossa, the second largest town on the island, large being a slight exaggeration! It was charming, quaint and tiny! There was a path up the hill, but in close to 40 degrees of heat, we declined that, taking the easier taxi option, plus we planned to eat dinner up there in a restaurant called Agnanti, and really didn’t fancy the walk down in the dark!
Glossa
The views as the sun started to drop were spectacular!
And the dinner was lovely, the wine however being much better than the food!
The following morning we woke with the sun, to an absolute millpond, with not a breath of wind. The forecast said that wasn’t due to change to we quietly headed out of the harbour, and motored the 5 NMs across to Skiathos.
Even he crept in! 
Millpond, set the scene for the day!
2nd August 2021
Lovely wish I was there,