June was given over to holidaying with Michael and Eve. They were out for nearly the whole month. That's a long time to try and remember everything we would get up to so I kept a short diary, here's a shortened version ...
Day one, relaxing day, got the boat stowed ready for off the next day.
Day Two, down to One Tree Bay to clean the boats' bottom while anchored in fantastic clear water. With diving kit on I did the rudder and prop, Mike did as much as he could snorkeling. Mark did bugger all cos he and his diving kit didn't get on. Stayed the night at anchor just along the coast in a lovely sheltered bay.
Day Three, motored down to Vassiliki at the bottom of Lefkas Island to see about some Laser sailing for Mike and Eve at the watersports centre but alas it was not to be so we sailed up to Sivota and had a barby tea and anchored for the night.
Day Four, sailed up to Skoprios (island owned by the Onassis family), anchored off Onassis beach hut. This beautiful bay is featured in all the pilot books. Swam and Mark made a beaut curry for dinner. Lovely quiet night at anchor in this stunning bay.
Day Five, north to Ligia, anchored off and took part in the Lefkas Yacht Club dinghy sailing afternoon. M & E had fun in Lasers, Mark and I took out a Sport 14, didn't k
now what we were doing and capsized. I raced with another couple and won that race. M & E raced lasers, Mike won his race. Great afternoon, totally knackering. Had dinner at a lovely little seaside Taverna, waves lapping at the wall. Stayed at anchor for the night.
Day Six, back into the Marina, wash poor boat, shop and stock up and we all went racing on a Sigma 36 in the evening, very fluky wind but first across the line, everyone happy.
Day Seven, left Marina and sailed down to Poros on Cephalonia. good sailing nearly all day. Got moored up and the wind began to rise. Stayed the next day as a Force 7 blew through. Very challenging getting on and off the boat as it bounced around. Walked up to a Greek tomb in the hills which was disappointing. Nice BBQ that evening on board.
Day Nine, sailed to Katakalon on the Peloponesse. Went for a swim once anchored, water was freezing!! Spent most of the next day at Olympia, it's one of Greece's many historic sites and well worth a visit. On our way back we stopped at Olympia Theatre, where Mike took to the stag while we made up an audience of 3, a good day out.
Day Eleven, motor sailed north into head winds to the top of Zante, Ag. Nikoalous. Long day, 8 hours sailing but we needed to get north so M & E can take part in Vassiliki watersports festival.
Day Twelve, visited Blue Grotto at the northern tip of Zante, it was worth a visit but definitely didn't live up to the hype given it. Continued north to Ag. Euphemia on Cephalonia. Sea like a mill pond so stopped and anchored for lunch along the coast, idyllic, went for long swims. Not wind till nearly at destination then about 20 knot while trying to anchor.
Day Thirteen, sailed up the channel between Cephalonia and Ithaca, to the bay at the top west coast of Icatha, this bay is truly beautiful. Anchored, had lunch then swam for the next couple of hours, lazed then had BBQ dinner. When it dark we lay on deck and watched the stars, the bay is nearly deserted so visibility was fantastic. Had a very peaceful night. That is definitely the best it gets sailing in the Ionian.
Day Fourteen, no wind so motored up to Vassiliki for the watersports festival. Over the next few days we all go racing. First day of Laser racing Eve got 2 2nds and 2 3rds, poor Mike didn't do so well. We timed out in the cruiser pursuit race, very frustrating winds. Next day Eve got 2 2nds and a FIRST!! She finally bet the Greek Olympic bronze medallist. All good fun for everyone.
Day Twenty, shopping, filling up with diesel then sailed down to Kioni on Ithaca. Anchored with line ashore in the outer harbour, not a very comfortable night so next morning we sailed down to Vathi and anchored in the bay. Mark made curry for dinner and I made my famous lemon tart. Wind picked up over night and really blew through till mid afternoon next day so we stayed put.
Day Twenty Three, motor sailed to Missalonghi
on the Greek mainland. In the harbour there's and area given over to old fighter planes, tanks and missiles. Mark and Mike enjoyed climbing all over them.
Day Twenty Four, motor sailed under the Rion Bridge (spectacular bridge) to Navpaktos. Fabulous little harbour town with a castle overlooking the bay. Walked up to the castle through the lovely old houses. Got seriously rained on before finding a cafe to shelter and have hot chocolate. Castle closed!! Ate out in a lovely traditional Greek restaurant, we all agreed it was the best place we'd been.
Day Twenty Five, spent the morning in Navpaktos then sailed to Patras marina on the Peloponesse. Went into St Georges square in the evening and had nice gyros and souvlake for dinner. Next day Mike and Eve began their journey home. Bus from Patras to Athens then flight to Manchester. Sad to see them go but we've had a great time.
Mark and I set off along the Gulf of Corinth towards Trizonia. Good wind, up to 28 knots, so good downwind sail all the way. Trizonia is a beautiful quiet island just off the coast of mainland Greece about halfway between the Ionian Sea and the Corinth Canal. We spend a couple of peaceful days chilling.
Day Twenty Eight, left Trizonia and had a good sail all the way back under the Rion Bridge to Messalonghi on our journey back to Lefkas. Next day sailed from Messalonghi to the island of Kastos in big winds, high 20's low 30's, 3 reefs in the genoa and one in the mainsail, not what was forecast and provided a very spirited sail. Anchored in the bay outside Kastos harbour. Dinner ashore at the Windmill restaurant overlooking Kastos bay. Next day a short journey to the next island of Kalamos, pulled into Port Kalamos to get food, which included the steepest uphill walk to the bakery we've undertaken. A lovely village. Then up to the top of the island to a lovely sandy bay for any afternoon of swimming and snoozing.
Day Thirty one, north to BBQ bay, where we started out nearly a month earlier for our last night. Fabulous holiday, the first real sailing and exploring we've done since arriving in Greece 18 months ago. It was brilliant.
Piccies to follow shortly.
