It turned into the perfect week, carried here by the wind. Yet it was not the week we had imagined. With my mother, Oma Ria, on board, we had planned for variety, mixing small towns with quiet bays, eager to explore as it was our first time in this part of Greece. But the wind decided otherwise. Blowing strongly from the north, it pushed us to seek shelter, and Poros turned out to be exactly the place we needed.

When my mum stepped on board, we set off almost immediately. Twenty minutes later we passed through the Corinth Canal, made a long sail that same day, and after a bumpy journey the next day, we reached Poros. We thought it would be just a stopover, yet here we are, still anchored. And it feels right. The town is charming but not too small, lively but not overwhelming. It has the balance of nature and community that we long for. In its colours and atmosphere we notice the shift — Italian influences fading, whites and pastels taking over — a reminder that we are slowly moving eastwards, towards something new.

The wind also carried other boats our way. We finally met fellow sailors, of sv Isaac, we had only known from a distance, but we already know we will meet them more often. And we gathered with families from four other Scabby Kids boats, Kidani, Slioch, Topo and the recently added Gaia. Suddenly our days filled with playground meet-ups, impromptu playdates, and even an open-air cinema. Watching Philou play freely with old and new friends, I realised again how happiness multiplies when it is shared. And it reminded me that as parents and grandparents, our joy is always tied to the joy of our children.

In between school lessons, boat work, and daily routines, the days flowed with laughter and long conversations. Having my mum with us was not just a gift of extra family time, but also a way to let her truly step into our life. She saw that this is not an endless holiday, but a way of living that comes with its own challenges. Perhaps that is the most valuable part: not showing her the highlights, but sharing the ordinary, and through that, a deeper understanding.

This week became a mirror. It showed me how important connection is: with our roots, with people who speak our language, and with the community around us. It also reminded me of the beauty of surrendering, of letting go of carefully made plans when the wind whispers a different direction. Sometimes life flows better when you stop resisting and simply allow yourself to be carried.

Thank you, wind, for the gentle lesson.

#FamilyAdventures #SailingLife #LessonsFromTheWind

Sometimes the detour turns out to be the destination.