30th September

At last it settled down enough for us to move on. We went to look at Vassiliki, on the southern side of Levkas. There was room on the town quay. A sign said Hemingway was here to hunt dolphins.

29th September

This morning, for the first time in 5 days there is no wind. I did have to get up at 4am though as there was a dreadful squeaking from a fender. It is raining though. A constant British drizzle. We've decided. We'll stay here for another day.

28th September

Duvet back on bed and soup for lunch. It's not cold but certainly cooler. We must have been at the edge of the "Medicane" as winds hit 30 knots or more in the harbour. Outside the channel between the islands is a mass of white horses and friends reported 48 knots of wind up in Levkas. A few yachts ventured out in a crash of surf. We decided to stay put for another night. What's the hurry? After lunch we took ourselves off for a walk across the island. For most of the time we were trekking steeply up or down in atmospheric forest. By the time we got back and had a cup of tea the strong wind had become a moderate breeze. Is this the end of the storm?

27th September

The U.K. news says a "Medicane" is heading our way. That's a Mediterranean hurricane. The forecast is certainly for strong winds but the worst appears to be heading south of us. We're secure and comfortable holed up in Fiskardo on Cephalonia. We were entertained today by boats leaving and getting anchors tangled. This afternoon Paul Goldstein left in his mega yacht picking up a couple of anchors on the way. I had a vision of his boat having a necklace of smaller craft being dragged along in his wake. Lucinda and I took a 6.5 mile across the island before going out to eat.

26th September

It was definitely the storm after the lull. We ate at a restaurant by Imagine's stern on a balmy evening. Shortly after we went to bed the wind started to blow. We had to get out a couple of times in the night to untangle ropes. In the morning I had to row the dinghy round the front of Paul's mega yacht to stop it banging our neighbour's bows. We tightened up on the anchor chain and checked all the lines. The wind in the shelter of the harbour is 25 knots. The few boats that anchored across the inlet must have had a miserable night. Most of them have already cleared off in search of better shelter. Where I don't know. We're happy and hopefully secure. However I'm not sure how we get onto the quay as various ropes are preventing us lowering our passerrelle (gangplank). During the day the wind continued to blow. We adjusted lines, checked the anchors and now we wait.

25th September

We were about to set off by Taxi to the other side of the island when the harbour master rushed up saying we had to leave. Apparently a big swell swirls into the harbour with strong north easterlies. If we'd known we'd never have come. Where to next? Our friends were going to Sivota on Levkas so we headed that way. Fiskardo is at the top of Cephalonia and we looked in while we were passing. Last time we were here it was packed. Worryingly the main anchorage was almost empty and there were still places on the quay. Anyway it looked alright to me so we squeezed into a space by the restaurants. Lots of anchor chain out, lines doubled, what could possibly go wrong?

And then, blow me down, an enormous 35 metre gin palace parked almost next to us blotting out the sun and dominating the harbour. And at the wheel Paul Goldstein. What are the chances? Anyway Lucinda and I went on board for a cup of tea and he told us all the good places to go in Greece.

24th September

This is the calm before the storm. It is expected to hit early Wednesday morning and continue until noon on Friday. To the west of the Islands force 9 winds are forecast. Where we are may see force 6 to 7. So far we've been very lucky with the weather. We're in one of the best refuges in the islands and have access to a quay. So we're going to stay until after the storm. It's given us the opportunity to get some maintenance done and it's pleasant place to wait. Ice cream and restaurants are a few steps away.

23rd September.

The light breeze was, inevitably, blowing from where we wanted to go. We arrived in Eufimia shortly after noon passing a flotilla load of charter yachts going the other way. Unlike last time we were here there was space for us on the quay. The big attraction of this town is the magnificent self-service laundrette and the first thing Lucinda did after mooring was to head there. In the afternoon the boat was festooned with drying washing.

22nd September

I thought our day was done when I sent the report. A charter boat pulled in next to us. A lady on board was clutching her toe. The kid of the anchor locker had fallen on her foot. I got out my medical kit. I examined it. I could see the toe was handing off. I summoned my medical expertise and concluded she needed to see a doctor.


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22nd September

We set off to pioneer a route to the monastery high on a hill above the town. We followed a road and then a path and then a goat track and then we ventured where not even goats had been. Eventually we admitted defeat and retreated down the mountain. It remains very hot and we decided to stay put for a further day. Later our friends H&C pulled into the harbour so they can aboard for drinks. Tonight is cooler and the forecast is for storms on Tuesday and Wednesday.

21st September

Lucinda still heard things going thump in the night. This time it was a cat leaving paw prints over the foredeck. It was time to start heading towards our winter refuge so we pointed our bow towards Cephalonia and plodded north. A gentle breeze allowed us to motor sail for about an hour before having to furl as the wind disappeared. We were back in Poros and ate at the Franco-Greek restaurant by the harbour looked after by the harassed chef/waiter/owner.

20th September

Something was gently banging all night. We don't know what it was but it drove Lucinda at 4am to sleep in the saloon. After breakfast we took the train to Olympia just as another cruise ship was slowly coming in to moor looming over Imagine. The narrow gauge train wound through the countryside. From the station it was a short walk to the site of Olympia and its associated museum. In its heyday it must have been amazing. All that is left is lots of stones, a few pillars, the outline of buildings and an athletics field. The archeological museum contained some wonderful artefacts. After a snack it was time to get back on the train for the return journey.

19th September

For once we thought we might be able to sail as we headed south east to the mainland. Our destination was Katakolo from where we planned to visit Olympia (not the one by Earls Court). Within half a mile the wind died to nothing and we motored all the way. The harbour was dominated by an enormous cruise ship. There was still plenty of room for us. The town consists of a few restaurants and a couple of streets of high class knick-knackery, presumably to cater to the cruise ship passengers.

18th September

After breakfast we walked up to the castle overlooking the town. It encompasses a large open area enclosed by ruined walls. Not very impressive apart from the magnificent views over the harbour. The British had been there but we don't know when or why. In the afternoon we took a tour to the south of the island and the beaches surrounding Lagana. We'd been told it was a bit like Blackpool but ten times worse. I quite like Blackpool but we drove through streets with bars, nightclubs and discount markets. The beaches and off lying bay are known as the breeding grounds for turtles. There are restrictions to boat traffic and anchoring. The speed limit of 6 knots was widely ignored. We set off on a glass bottomed boat. Very soon we found a solitary turtle which was instantly surrounded by half a dozen boats. Ours was in danger of capsize as everyone rushed to one side for a view. Overhead four seaplanes were circling, landing and picking up water to fly off, presumably to dump their load on areas at risk of fire. We then powered off to see some caves and ended up stranded for an hour on an island where turtles breed. There were none around but several boatloads of us gathered at the water's edge, bought snacks from floating cafes and waited to be picked up for the return journey. The day was rounded off by watching Vertigo, the Hitchcock film. Oh, and the immersion heater seems to have broken. Another for the list.

17th September

We had a miserable night alongside the harbour wall. The wind died just before midnight and left a slop that shouldered its way along the quayside rocking Imagine in an irregular and sometimes violent motion. We couldn't wait to leave in the morning. We motored a short way back along the island to the famous blue caves. We saw the viewing platform, we saw some small caves, we didn't see what the attraction was all about. We then turned south east towards Zakinthos town. We were directed to a quay and, after last night, felt secure and stable.

16th September

After breakfast we set off to walk to the monastery. The first bit was serious off-piste uphill trekking. By the time we got to the road and the walking became a lot easier there was still some 900 vertical feet to go. I decided to turn around and take the road back. Nonetheless we managed 4.6 miles. It was time to head further south and make the crossing to Zakinthos. Once again there was no wind until we were almost at Ay Nikolaos. We moored alongside in this large harbour. Later we bought honey and olive oil from an old man with a stall close by before going to eat at a waterfront restaurant.

15th September

During the night several thumps vaguely penetrated my sleep. That was Lucinda chasing a cat off the boat. After breakfast we walked 3km round the bay to one of Cephalonia's main tourist attractions. The Melissani cave is reached through a short slope descending through the rock. Most of the cave is open to the sky as the roof collapsed, probably thousands of years ago. The space is filled with water that has filtered through rocks from the other (western) side of the island. Our €7 each entrance fee entitled us to be rowed for 10 minutes around the cave before being ejected once again through the gift shop to the surface. We motored south to moor in the harbour at Poros. This is a dusty, sad place although quiet and sheltered.

14th September

We took a day off today. In the morning we went on a 7 mike trek to the beach in the next cove and then to some ruins above the village. The large number of large stones scattered on the hillside would make a wonderful acropolis if only they were rearranged into buildings. The harbour from above looked spectacular.

13th September

It took less than an hour to cross the bay to Sami. We'd been warned that it could get crowded. However there was plenty of space on the quay even after a large Sailing Holidays flotilla arrived. We were able to water up and clean the boat. Sadly we had to say farewell to Emily and Tanner who are flying to Athens.

12th September

It was mid morning when we upped anchor and headed north over the top of Ithaca and turned south along the east coast of Cephalonia. Eufimia is nearly half way down and is a pleasant harbour with a long public quay. Although there were plenty of spaces we were told there was no room on the quay as flotillas were expected later. There was plenty of room to anchor within the harbour walls so that's what we did. Later the anchorage filled up so we were surrounded by other yachts. We had our last evening meal with Emily and Tanner who leave us tomorrow.

11th September

Today we progressed across to the island of Ithaca. We actually sailed for about an hour. We arrived at Kioni. We've been here before and it was worth another visit. It was fairly full when we arrived but many more boats found space after us. We had a swim, a drink ashore and then ate on board.

10th September

We weighed anchor before the Poles and motored north to Kalamos. It was much less crowded than when we were here in July. The others spent the afternoon on the beach while I finished a mediocre novel. We had sundowners in a taverna on the beach before eating at George's. When the others went to bed I tried with limited success to photograph the night sky.

7th September

We managed three trips to the supermarket while on Preveza town quay. We were well provisioned by the time Emily and Tanner arrived at noon. We cast off and headed to the Levkas channel. The floating bridge decided not to open at 3pm so we had to wait until 4. We still had plenty of time to motor past Nidri into Ormos Vlikho to anchor for the night. The water was warm but a bit cloudy. We all had a swim before supper.

6th September

We're now afloat. The guys at Cleopatra efficiently dumped us in the water this afternoon. All systems worked and we are now on the town quay at Preveza town waiting for Emily and Tanner to arrive tomorrow.

5th September

We're back. Lucinda went to sleep early last night. When I turned in half an hour later at 9pm she woke up thinking it was time to leave. She then woke me in a panic at 01:50 thinking it was an hour later and we had overslept. We did catch our cab at 03:00 and were driven erratically to Gatwick where thousands of people were tucking into full English breakfasts at 4am. Anyway the flight was uneventful and we took the most expensive 3 minute taxi ride (€15) to the boat yard. Imagine looked fine if a little dusty. I caught up on some sleep, did a few odd jobs and prepared for launch tomorrow.


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