8th October

I thought we were going to be lifted out at 11 am. It was six pm by the time they got around to us. The hull was encrusted but is now pressure wash clean. Some final packing up and we'll leave her until next year.

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Row L Cleopatra

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7th October

It's the end of our season. We moved across to the marina at Cleopatra and filled the tanks with 316 litres of diesel. The distance covered this season is 1010 nm. Lift out tomorrow morning.

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6th October

Our last day on Preveza town quay. The boat is pretty well ready for the winter

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5th October

We couldn't blame the weather for the sleepless night. This time it was the music from the quay behind us that seemed to consist of a repetitive bass note that finally stopped 05:45. This morning we took off the final sail and continued packing up. Tonight I will watch Rocky 3 while Lucinda retreats to the cabin to read.

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4th October

We were anchored in tranquil bay. As we turned in for the night it reflected its name. It was different at 00:45. The scream of the wind and the lurching of the boat summoned us from our slumbers. Outside was an apocalyptic scene. Lightning was striking over the hills behind us mixed with the double flash from the lighthouse. As thunder roared the rain lashed down and a catamaran loomed out of the dark to within a couple of metres of us. On the foredeck a man was attempting to raise the anchor while at the helm someone was trying to make sure than neither us or the boat behind were hit. We watched the manoeuvres with trepidation until 10 minutes later they disappeared away into the darkness. Rain was pouring through leaks in the windows and we spun in every direction while the storm whirled around us. And then, some 20 minutes later, it was over. Sleep was hard to come by but eventually we dozed off only to be woken by a similar, slightly less violent episode at 06:30. As light illuminated our world everything returned to a slightly soggy normality. By late morning we were on the way back to Preveza and the sun even made a brief appearance.

We moored onto Preveza town quay. Ray and Judy were nearby as were Bill and Helen.

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3rd October

We were expecting a brief light shower today. As we headed north dark clouds gathered behind us and to the west. Then we could see lightning and hear the thunder. The storm slowly crept towards us but seemed to be passing to port so we thought we'd escaped it. Then with little warning the wind rose gusting to 45 knts or more. The surface of the sea boiled as the rain lashed down. Everything was shades of dark grey and black. And then the horizon closed in and visibility dropped to no more than 30 metres. Inside the boat windows leaked while we were outside sodden and cold. Gradually the storm passed and an hour later it was calm with a light drizzle. By that time we had anchored off Nidri where we had come to visit the chandlery. It was tranquil at anchor as night fell. What a contrast.

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2nd October

We leave a week today. As rain is forecast later in the week we took down and bagged the jib. As the three flotillas departed we walked for 7.4 miles, an up and down circuit with fabulous views of both sides of the island peaking at 778 foot above sea level. It was then back to the boat to watch another two flotillas arrive.

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1st October

We've never been to Frikes which is in the next bay north on Ithaca. It has the reputation for being very windy and that has put us off previously. We arrived mid morning shortly before two large flotillas upped and left. This gave us the pick of the quayside and we tucked in snugly alongside the south side. We were secure and happy there which allowed us to enjoy the machinations as several flotillas and other yachts arrived later. As we are at a restaurant we could see yachts rolling and yawing in the swell and wind. It made us smug as Imagine rocked gently in her corner.

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30th September

This morning as there was no wind we seized the chance to take the mainsail off. It was late morning before we set off to walk to Anogi. It's an easy path but it winds inexorably upwards for 1671 feet to the town. It was wonderful to put our feet up and have home made lemonade, cheese pie and Greek salad. It was easier coming down for a total distance of 7.3 miles. The Sailing Holidays lead boat had been replaced by another one. The man from Garmin emailed to let me know we needed a new chart plotter.

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29th September

While we were here we knocked off an eight mile walk before lunch. It took us to a beach and then inland up to 787 feet before descending to the town. It was six miles round to Kioni, one of our favourite spots. We found space on the quay before the flotillas arrived. We'd done enough to deserve our afternoon of relaxation.

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28th September

The small chandlery had a soldering iron. We just needed the solder to arrive from Fiskardho. Eventually it turned up and we pushed off to Kioni on Ithaca, one of our favourite anchorages. Let's see if the soldering does the trick. In the meantime a potentially much more expensive problem is the chart plotter refusing to read the chart on the SD card.

There was no wind as we motored to moor at Vathi on Ithaca. On the way I had a go at soldering. That's another 17 miles closer to our winter base.

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27th September

The big attraction of Eufimia is the magnificent laundromat. It took three loads to clear the washing backlog and in the afternoon Imagine was festooned with drying clothes and linen. Later I tracked down a loose wire as the reason the inverter wasn't working. I need a soldering iron and skills I'm not sure I possess.

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26th September

We set off just before dawn to see the sun rise while a cruise ship docked in the harbour. The sea was lightly ruffled by a breeze that was not quite strong enough to make hoisting sail worthwhile. While the going was good we pressed on to Eufimia on Cephalonia. The main attraction is an excellent laundry. The distance was over 55 miles and we had to motor most of the way but it placed us within a day or two of Preveza with about a week before we needed to be there.

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25th September

The forecast for today is for headwinds for those heading north. After yesterday we feel we need a break anyway. The quay is large and we have water. That made it easy to clean and start packing away. A cruise ship is in the harbour and coaches line the quay all ready for visits to Olympia. The chart plotter card read got wet in yesterday's deluge. I've spent much of the day drying it out. It now works, sort of. Fingers crossed that we'll know where we're going.

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24th September

Well that was interesting. We planned to leave Pilos for Kiparissia. We knew some rain was due but we were eager to press on. After a couple of hours brisk winds from astern were propelling us at 7 to 8 knts with the odd surf taking us to 9 knts and beyond. Things were good so we decided to press on to Katakolon. Shortly after the point of no return the weather caught up with us. Visibility was almost nothing, the rain torrential and the seas confused. After about 30 minutes things calmed down and we thought we were through the worst. Our mistake. Another weather front hit us from the east, worse than before and this time accompanied by lightning and thunder. It was time to take the sails down, retreat into the saloon and hope there was nothing out there to collide with. By the time it had passed a couple of hours later we were five miles out from our destination. We hung clothes up to dry and tidied up. It was then that the chart plotter packed up. At least I knew the harbour. We moored with the feeling that a good day's work had been accomplished and added a defunct chart plotter to the list of jobs.

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23rd September

After breakfast we motored 2.5 miles across Navarino bay to anchor in the north west corner. We left the dinghy on the beach and took the path up to Palaiokastro, the castle of Pylos. From there we could look back at Imagine and northwards over the picture postcard semi-circle of the beach at Voidhokoila. We tramped the crumbling walls and loose stones within the castle. It was only when we finished our walk that I pointed out the sign at the bottom stating that the castle was closed due to serious danger. We then drifted back to the harbour and were fortunate to find a berth alongside. We replenished the stores and I looked at the memorial to the three admirals who commanded the fleet that destroyed the Turks in the Battle of Navarinon. The British commander was Codrington.



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22nd September

For the first time in several days Imagine rested calmly overnight only disturbed by the gentle patter of rain on the roof. In the morning we explored the castle. The fortifications date back to Byzantine times and at various times was occupied by the Venetians, Ottomans, the Turks and Egyptians as well as the French. Back on the boat we motored north to Pilos. The large marina is neglected with local boats and abandoned yachts filling almost all the space. We only found a berth because as we arrived a boat was leaving. We walked through town to the fortress. This was built by the Ottomans and overlooks Navarino Bay. In this bay on October 20th 1827 the British/French/Russian flotilla of Admiral Codrington defeated the Turkish-Egyptian fleet destroying Turkish naval power and leading to Greek independence. Astoundingly the engagement was while most ships were at anchor after Codrington sailed into the middle of a circle of enemy vessels. It was a pleasure to be able to walk ashore and we took advantage by going out to eat in town.

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21st September

We went peacefully to sleep under the lee of the castle off a sandy beach with waves lapping gentle against the hull. Sometime later someone turned the cosmic washing machine onto cold wash and we were rolled in every direction of the compass as the wind and waves created a jumble of the ocean. In the dark the cliffs loomed ever closer. China chinked together, glasses rattled and loose objects fell to the floor. Lucinda and I retreated from the booming cabin to try and snatch some sleep in the saloon. Morning revealed rollers crashing onto the beach and we decided not to attempt a landing. As we left there were rain clouds over the headland to the east and a rainbow to the west. The surface of the water boiled for 10 minutes with a heavy rain shower and then it all subsided into a gloomy weary sort of day. Within two hours we passed the last of the three capes of the Peloponnese and felt ourselves back in the Ionian. By lunchtime an anaemic sun appeared and we anchored under the shadow of the castle at Methoni.

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20th September

Overnight there was little wind but the anchorage was rolly. Lucinda was driven out of the cabin and into the saloon and even there had little sleep. Morning was overcast with a dark grey cloud crawling towards us over the cliffs to the north. We motored south to the next bay to anchor off the entrance to the Viychada cave complex. As we contemplated going ashore it began to rain. We dithered then decided. From the jetty it was a short walk to the entrance to the caves. We then had to walk up the road to the ticket office. Two senior discount tickets were purchased (will we get them if we Brexit). It was after opening time but there was no urgency to let us in. Some time later we were issued with life jackets and descended the stone steps to board a small flat-bottomed boat. We were paddles through 1,200 metres of low tunnels garlanded with stalactites like an acid-house nautical London Underground. The final 300 metres were taken on foot until we emerged on the cliff side several hundred metres from where we entered. It was the back to Imagine for the crossing to the north east to Koroni. The sky was now clear and there was a gentle breeze although, inevitably, it was blowing from the direction of our destination. However, after several hours of tedious motoring the wind shifted and we managed to sail for a few miles. A ketch sped up to get ahead of us into the harbour. We took a look but decided we would prefer going to the south of the pint and anchoring under the castle walls. And that's where we ended up for the night.

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19th September

The winds died away overnight which left the yachts in a jumble facing different directions. No collisions seemed to have occurred so we headed out as the sun crested the land to the east. We rounded the grey bulk of Cape Grosso and headed north to anchor off the village of Limeni. It was hard to find a suitable dinghy landing area but eventually we used the plastic pontoon of the water sports centre. We had a short stroll through town before retreating back to the boat.

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18th September

The bay was delightful but a sideways swell and a soft clanking sound made sleep difficult. We both welcomed the early light of dawn and weighed anchor. We had to go 25 miles west before the predicted headwinds started. All was calm until about a mile out when white horses were seen ahead. As we approached the wind strengthened and by the time we anchored us was blowing near gale force. By evening there were six yachts at anchor squeezed into one corner for best shelter. We went for a walk and then ate by the beach.

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17th September

Unlike last night when the squeak from a rope sent Lucinda and me up to sleep in the saloon we had a fairly peaceful night. Our task was to get round the Cape of Maleas. Luckily we set off in light winds that persisted most of the way to our anchorage at the island of Elafonisos. Here we were joined by another half dozen yachts to anchor off the remote, picturesque beach.

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16th September

Emily and Tanner left Imagine before 7am to catch the ferry to Piraeus. It was our chance to head south after 3 days of strong winds. A moderate northerly wind helped us although the sea was lumpy after the gales. Our destination was Monemvasia. We found a spot in the harbour. It was too late to visit the Byzantine village and castle. We hope to come back to visit. We need to press on west before the weather turns so plan to carry on early tomorrow.

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15th September

By mid morning the Sailing Holidays flotilla has left. The wind was still strong and I needed to rig some other lines and pull up on the anchor to keep us safely off the quay. We met Chris and Fiona last night at the meal in Porto Heli. They arrived in their Farr 50 and joined us later for a drink. Lucinda, Tanner and myself took ourselves off for a walk. We then had drinks on board the Farr before a lady meal out here with Emily and Tanner.

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14th September

The noise of the wind reverberated around our cabin and Imagine lurched back and forward on her lines. From about 5am the wind blew at more than 30 knts with the odd gust going above 40. The Gale continued throughout the day only easing off a slight amount by early evening. We thought it was safe enough to take a taxi to Porto Heli where we joined Gareth and Claire and their friends for a meal.

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13th September

Today the strong wind came. We hung around town, had a walk, went to the bakery, had a siesta and watched a cowboy movie.

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12th September

Strong winds are due from tomorrow and forecast to last three days. We've decided to stay tucked up here in Ermioni and hope we'll be protected. It has given us the chance to take the ferry across to the main town on Hydra. I now understand why all the advice says to avoid taking your own boat there. The small harbour was crammed two rows deep with charter boats, and we believe it can be much worse. Lucinda and I had lunch and a long walk while the others did their own thing.

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11th September

We motored east out of Poros. There was a solid north wind and we had the reacher up to take us round between Hydra and The Peloponnese to dock on the southern quay at Ermioni.

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10th September

Our next stop was Poros. Last time we were here the anchorage outside town was stuffed with superyachts. Today the oligarchs must have been meeting somewhere else. There were plenty of other more ordinary yachts on the quays and at anchor. We found a spot in the south quay that made it easy to wander ashore through the warren of narrow steep stairs of the town. In the evening we were treated by Emily and Tanner to a steak dinner. We then returned to discover the drawback to our mooring place. We were opposite the Malibu nightclub. I drifted off to sleep serenaded by the bass thump off the music from the club.

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9th September

We motored round to Aegina town just in time to meet Emily and Tanner who arrived on the hydrofoil from Piraeus. Once they were on board we motored south to Ay Georgious where we moored for the night. The paddle board had some use and we could swim in the shallow harbour. I had a go, largely unsuccessful. At scrubbing the bottom, before we went to eat by the seashore.

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8th September

Shortly before lunch we left the quay to anchor opposite the harbour. Not only was it quieter but it made it easier to dive on both propellers to scrape them clear of barnacles. As I managed each breaths worth of underwater scraping the debris drifted down attracting a shoal of fish to nibble at the nutrients. Put at sea there was a large black cloud hanging over a burning boat. It looked catastrophic but it was too far away for us to discern details.

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7th September

It was great to have a day at rest alongside the harbour wall. Lucinda went to the beach while I read sitting in the cockpit. I dived to look at our hull. The props are covered with a good plateful of shellfish and the hulls have a coating of vegetation. I'll do my best to clear it tomorrow but only have a snorkel to assist. We ate in the number one restaurant sitting looking down on Imagine.

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6th September

Off to sea at last. We started with a fair wind that faded to nothing after a couple of hours. Imagine was dragging weed and barnacles from two months in harbour and we lumbered along. The north west corner of Aegina was negotiated and we found refuge further south in Perdika. As the harbour filled up boats became even more creative in trying to find a spot attached to the shore. We watched more of the Succession box set interrupted by fireworks exploding above our heads.

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5th September

We set off early to get to the Parthenon shortly after it opened at 8am. We were accosted by Maria, a guide, and paid her an extortionate sum for a brief tour of the site. By this time it was tourist central and the only thing to be seen was other people. We retreated to the cool of the museum. It mirrors the dimensions of the Parthenon and is build over ancient dwellings. We then followed Google maps to Cafe Avissinia on the recommendation of Sophie and David. The moussaka was superb. David said the best ice cream was at Melt. It was very good. It was time to return to Imagine. It was then that Lucinda discovered her purse had been taken from her closed rucksack. What a bummer. At least if Brexit happens she will not have to apply for another European health card.

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4th September

I do this blog to remind me of what we've done and to let the kids know we're still alive. It's kept short and factual. I have discovered that several people are looking at this. Perhaps I should try to make it more interesting and even insightful!

Today our new dinghy arrived. The old one has leaks in two of the three major tubes beyond my abilities to repair. I ordered a RIB that has a rigid hull with inflatable tubes on top. It was meant to be 10cm shorter than the current one. When we looked at it we thought we needed a bigger catamaran. It took considerable ingenuity and several hours to squeeze it onto the davits. We will have to see if our weedy outboard manages to push it through the water. The delivery men were going to take the old, deflated, sad, inflatable away. A Filipino crewman on a motorboat spotted it and was last seen trying to repair the leaks. Good luck to him. There was time for a few more jobs and a reprovisioning run to the supermarket.

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3rd September

We're back. It's hot and we're knackered but Imagine is still afloat with full batteries. We had an early start made worse as Lucinda got up at 03:45 to empty the dishwasher.

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17th July

Lucinda and I stayed on board while the rest went off exploring Athens. It was shame we had to come in a day early but it was the right thing to do with strong northerlies blowing all day.

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16th July

The weather forecast for tomorrow is for strong northerlies, not what we need. So we're heading back to the marina a day early. We anchored off Metopi for lunch before making our way back to Zea.

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15th July

There was a huge thump in the night that was Trewin falling out of bed. Apart from that all was quiet apart from a visit from the coastguard, we think attending to an injury on an adjacent boat. It was decided to stay here for the day. Far fewer boats anchored here today. We read, we swam, we had lunch in the fish restaurant around the headland.

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14th July

10 miles east were the anchorages at Nisi Dhoroussa. They were already quite full when we arrived but we found a spot to stop for lunch. After we had eaten we made a rapid exit as we seemed to be dragging. We hung around a couple of hours until space opened up in the best location. There were a lot of boats and not much space. While anchoring the bridle fell overboard. It was retrieved eventually with a grapple. Finally we seemed secure. I thought a lot of boats would head off for the night. Eventually they started to leave although by nightfall there were still several boats sharing the anchorage.

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13th July

We motored north to New Epihadros. A yacht race was expected so there was no room in the harbour. As fairly strong winds were forecast we moved a few miles south to Old Epihadros and moored back onto the town quay. In the evening stalls were opened behind us and a play was performed on the quay.

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12th July

It was less that 8 8 miles west round the Methana Peninsula to Vathi. We arrived shortly after noon and there was space in this tiny harbour. We had time to go swimming and later take a taxi to a path to the caldera of a dormant volcano. Supper was taken in the shade of a restaurant by Imagine's stern.

11th July

The day was overcast and throughout the morning winds strengthened from the north. We double up lines but we're very secure. Later Lucinda and I had a walk. The wind eased off by early evening but the waves were lumpy and it looked uncomfortable out at sea. We even wore long trousers in the evening.

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10th July

After a morning swim we motored across to Ay Yeoryios once again. This is a fabulous place to swim and relax. Shortly before we went to supper the wind increased peaking at at least 35 knts. The sea was a mass of white horses and the rain was fire hose heavy. It lasted no more than 10 minutes. The wind swung through 180 degrees and then abruptly faded to almost nothing. And then out of the window we spotted a school of dolphins passing by doing acrobatics just off shore.

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9th July

We set off at a reasonable time and motored 20 miles to Perdika on the south west corner of Aigina. The kids felt a little queasy but not for long. On the way the GPS packed up for a couple of hours and then spontaneously recovered. We found a suitable place on a pontoon . One yacht picked up someone's anchor chain and then got a tangle of mooring rope round his propeller. I tried to help but eventually the ropes were freed by someone who could hold his breath longer than me. A large motor yacht then laid his chain over mine and also picked up some huge mooring chains. And then he objected to me photographing it. It was a lovely spot to spend the night and eat overlooking the anchorage.

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Fwd: 7th July

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Begin forwarded message:

From: david goldhill <davidrgoldhill@gmail.com>
Date: 8 July 2019 at 21:27:42 EEST
To: Imagine Blogger <david.goldhill.lepicaron@blogger.com>
Subject: 7th July

We went to look at the town of Aigina on the island of the same name. The harbour had a few spaces and we picked a spot. As we neared the quayside a dangling rope for the adjacent yacht wrapped round my starboard prop. A swift dive cleared the problem. We were not impressed with our location; noisy, busy and dirty. There was space on the other side of the harbour so we grabbed it. The harbour is ferry central, busy, noisy and crowded.

Later we wandered into town to eat by the fish market 

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7th July

We went to look at the town of Aigina on the island of the same name. The harbour had a few spaces and we picked a spot. As we neared the quayside a dangling rope for the adjacent yacht wrapped round my starboard prop. A swift dive cleared the problem. We were not impressed with our location; noisy, busy and dirty. There was space on the other side of the harbour so we grabbed it. The harbour is ferry central, busy, noisy and crowded.

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8th July

We set off for Piraeus through a choppy sea passing through anchored cargo ships heading towards the pollution haze over the mainland. On entering Zea Marina we passed a few hundred million pounds worth of ships before finding our little spot in an inner corner. We managed to do a massive shop, cleaned the boat and waited for Sophie and her lot to arrive.

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7th July

We headed north to the town of Aigina on the island of the same name. On coming into a berth a line became wrapped round the starboard prop. I quick dive freed it. But then we decided we would be better off on the other side of the harbour. In the evening we ate by the fish market.

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6th July

We weighed anchor and slowly motored along the quayside at Poros. Lucinda was eager to go shopping but I pressed on circling the island heading to Methana. Here the marina doesn't want catamarans and the ferry port was not inviting. We were glad we carried on as we ended up at Ay Yeoryios, a shallow harbour we managed to squeeze into. It was disconcerting dropping the anchor a few metres from where people were standing. While there we walked into the hills and ate at a snack bar by the harbour.

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5th July

In the morning we went to Angistri, a small island to the east. We anchored outside the harbour for lunch. We then carefully picked our way through the narrow passage between the island and another one called Metopi before passing along the east side of the Methana Peninsula to anchor south of the island of Poros just before Poros town. A storm was brewing over the mainland and a large Maltese training ship headed out in the early evening.

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4th July

An early start saw us mid morning approaching the entrance of the Corinth Canal. We were asked to speed up and hooked onto the end of a mini convoy passing through the canal. At either end are bridges that sink beneath the surface. The narrow canal cuts through high cliffs. On the way we passed under several bridges. At the far end we paid and refuelled. We then set sail into the Aegean. We ended up in Nea Epidhavros. From there we took a taxi to see the magnificent Greek theatre of Epidhavros. We were delighted to shower and eat overlooking the beach and harbour.

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3rd July

This is more like the weather we expected. Light winds and flat seas. We motored 10 miles south our into the Gulf of Corinth to anchor between two isolated islands. We went for a walk on one of them but failed to reach the little church or abandoned monastery. This is a stunning place and we were the only boat there.

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2nd July

For the first time in a week we woke up to light winds. We grabbed our opportunity and headed east. We had to motor most of the way along the desolate, sparsely populated coast. We poked our nose into one remote anchorage, gave it a miss and carried on to Ay Saranda. Here we anchored but we're later ordered to move by the police as we were too close to the beach. It took a while but we eventually found a satisfactory spot for the night.

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1st July

The wind was even stronger from the east so we were not leaving. Instead we hired a car and visited Delphi. The ruins were impressive and the museum interesting. We back before lunch and spent the rest of the day hoping that the winds would abate.

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30th June

Andy and Nola left at 7am. The wind was still blowing from the east so we decided to stay put. This gave us a chance to wander round the Nautical Museum and see the church. We now have a chance to clean the boat and take a rest after three weeks of back to back visitors.

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29th June

Congratulations on our wedding anniversary. The wind was strong and from the east so we decided to stay put. That allowed us to go for a walk, read, swim and have a day at rest.

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28th June

After a restful night we had a lazy departure heading 20 miles east to Galaxidhi. For the first time we had wind from the west that allowed us to slowly waft in the right direction in calm seas. We found space on the quay and found a beach bar a bit further back along the front. Later we ate at the number 1 restaurant in the town.

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27th June

The forecast was the same today which meant another trip motoring into wind and waves. Fortunately the waves were not as high and the distance not as long. Our destination was Trizonia, a magnificent harbour on a small island just off the mainland. We had time to go swimming, to take a walk and eat at a beachside restaurant.

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24th June

Today was change over day. Our guests were kicked off the boat while we cleaned and hoses down. We bid Sue and Roger farewell and welcome Nola and Andy.

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26th June

We made an early start and even managed to sail a bit for the first hour. Then the wind, as forecast, blew up from the east. Our journey was then similar to yesterday, bashing painfully into strong winds and a short choppy sea. On the way we passed under the Rio -Andirrion suspension bridge. This connects the mainland to the Peloponnese at the western approaches to the Gulf of Corinth. The bridge, opened in 2004, is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world. After that we sought shelter at Navpaktos. We squeezed into the minute medieval harbour. We were the only visiting boat but there wasn't much room for anyone else. Outside the harbour there was a beach and we made use of that before exploring the town and castle and finding a restaurant for our dinner.

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25th June

We left as soon as fresh bread was available from the bakery. For the first few hours we motored in a flat calm. Then a strong easterly blew up and we ground our way into it on two engines for over 40 miles. We finally made it into Mesolongion. We had time to walk to the Garden of Heroes with memorials to foreigners who supported the Greek cause. Byron died here and myth says that his heart is buried under his statue. The rest of him was taken back to be interred in the U.K.

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24th June

Imagine was cleaned and the washing was done. Lucinda came down with food poisoning and spent most of the day in the cabin clutching her guts. Meanwhile Andy and Nola arrived and Sue and Roger joined us for a meal. A strong wind came from the north and lines had to be adjusted.

23rd June

We motored out into a windless glossy sea. We passed close by an island said to be ruled by large aggressive rats. Instead we picked up a swarm of wasps. They stayed with us into the nearby anchorage. They forced us inside the boat and then away from the shore. A burst of power from both engines threw them off and we found a lunch stop in a narrow inlet at the bottom of Ithaca. Here all was peaceful until most of a Sailing Holidays flotilla decided to join us. After lunch we made our way to Eufimia where we motored on the town quay. Later Lucinda started on the washing while I tried, once again, to repair the leak in the dinghy. We ate in a restaurant on the quay and then watched some Greek dancing.


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22nd June

The four of us set off after breakfast for a substantial walk. Unfortunately Sue has her finger stung by a wasp shortly before we left and that forced her to abandon with Roger fairly early. Lucinda and I stumbled on, losing our way big time on two occasions. Eventually we stumbled weary and thirsty into Anogi high up in Ithaca. Here we rehydrates and were refreshed with lemonade and a hot cheese tart consisting of a round of fried cheese covered in what looked like shredded wheat. The descent to Kioni was less arduous and we arrived back in the early afternoon feeling that a good day's work had been accomplished. With that and a forecast of strong winds we decided to stay another night.

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21st June

This morning we motored west round the top of Meganisi and headed south to Ithaca. The wind got up and we sailed about half the way to Kioni. Here we were lucky to find a spot in the harbour. In the afternoon we were amused by other yachts tangling anchors and making hard work at mooring.

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19th June

We cast off and moved the short way along the coast to anchor off Vounaki. Thomas came out on his paddle board with son Charlie to say hi. We then motored to Meganisi to anchor for the night. Before eating on board we rowed round to the next cove for a sundowner.

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18th June

Immediately after breakfast we took a 5 mile walk that encompassed the norther part of the island. The views were idyllic. After lunch we motored north to Palairos just past Vounaki. It brought back memories of Sunsail holidays. Sue and Roger's son Thomas was at Vounaki with his family. They came aboard before we headed off to the famous Panorama restaurant where those who were so moved could choose a curry.

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17th June

It was a short motor back to Kastos where we anchored with a line ashore. Later we had drinks at the windmill and ate once again by the side of the harbour.

16th June

With Roger and Sue on board we headed east to the Dhragonera Islands. No other boats followed. We looked at an anchorage on the island of Provati. That was rejected so we pressed on. There are loads of fish farms in the islands and we spotted half a dozen dolphins leaping near the shore. We ended up at Marathia on the mainland. Later we had to re anchor but by nightfall all was peaceful.

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15th June

We had time to water up and clean Imagine before we had to move out to anchor. The dinghy was still leaking despite my attempts at a repair. We had a last lunch with Kennan and Melanie before seeing them off in a taxi. Roger and Sue arrived in the early evening. It was great to welcome them onboard.

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14th June

Today we had to go 27 miles to Eufimia on Cephalonia. There were light winds for the first 14 miles. As we entered the channel between Ithaca and Cephalonia the wind blew from behind and we had a cracking sail in more than 20 knts of wind. Going the other way would not have been pleasant. They found space for us on the quay. Maybe they will have space tomorrow, maybe not.

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13th June

We spent a tranquil night in the small bay. Late morning saw us motoring three miles round to O. Vathi and attaching to the pontoon at Karnayio Taverna. I spent the afternoon trying to find the leak in the dinghy while the others swam off the small beach. Later I had to dive to rescue Kennan's glasses that had fallen overboard. We walked into town for an ice cream and then ate in the restaurant by the pontoon.

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12th June

Before breakfast we went looking for a baker's. Up in the village signs indicated a bread seller in all directions. One direction was designed to lead away from a rival and back round the village to the alternative. There were two obakers in the village and another at the quay. We bought from all of them before motoring to O. Abelike on Meganisi where we anchored with lines to the shore. Later we towed into the next bay for a drink where an insect presented a photo opportunity. It was then back to the boat for supper.

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10th June

My arm started to itch yesterday afternoon. By this morning it had swollen and become stiff. Time to find a hospital. Thank goodness for the European Health card. Although I was 8th in line I was seen first. The doctor and I agreed it was probably an allergic reaction. The treatment was a steroid injection in the backside, some antihistamines and then antibiotics just for luck. We left late morning and drifted to Kastos. Here we anchored for a swim outside the harbour before entering to anchor with a line to the shore. Inside we could swim off the boat before taking cocktails at the old windmill before eating ashore.

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9th June

After breakfast we tagged along for a 5.7 mile walk round to a beach and back. By noon it was sweltering. We chilled out and then ate on board. There were lots more boats than yesterday but still plenty of space.

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8th June

Today we crossed to Ithaca to meet Kennan and Melanie. This required hoisting the mainsail for the first time. Lucinda has berthing anxiety. Would we find space? As it panned out there was plenty of space. Our guests turned up shortly afterwards. However we had laid our anchor chain over that of a small boat moored beside us. When he tried to leave he made no progress until we left our mooring, raised our ground tackle and reanchored. Later I had a very good moussaka on the quayside.

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5th June

It rained heavily in the night but the morning was calm and clear. After a short walk we motored south to Vonitsa. Here we anchored back to the quay as did Jalfrezi. Later we went for a walk before eating ashore. There was a small fingernail of moon in a clear starlit night.

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4th June

It rained heavily in the night and continued through the morning. After lunch we decided to head west to Koronisia. We squeezed into the small harbour but it was too shallow for Jalfrezi who anchored outside. On passage I sailed between island with a charred least depth of about 3 metres. I noticed the depth drop off suddenly and managed to reverse just as we touched the bottom. Luckily we weren't stuck and took the longer deeper way round. The village had a gem of a tiny church. We ate at a restaurant overlooking the harbouring where the owner plied us with ouzo.

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1st June

In the morning we walked five miles to Nikopolis, the Roman town build by Octavius after he defeated Antony in a great sea battle off Akron. The walk was uninteresting along the main road. When we arrived there wasn't much to see so we summoned a taxi for the ride back to town. In the afternoon Claire and Gareth from Jalfrezi made a surprise visit. The last time we saw them was in Ciutadellla in Minorca. Just as surprising was the sight of Akaroa passing by. They replied on channel 16 to my call. So we had supper with James and Tracey and after that Gareth and I watched the Champions League final that Spurs lost to Liverpool. A dull match not helped by the early penalty Spurs conceded.

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29th May

Well we're back and hope Daisy continues to do well. Imagine was grubby but otherwise as we left her. We are getting a big leak around the door when it rains, I've no idea why, and a small leak around one of the forward windows. I also added 20 metres to the anchor chain. I will sleep a bit easier at anchor. I've paid the bills and we launch tomorrow.

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27th April

Last night we booked into a hotel across the inlet in Preveza town. It gave as a chance to have drinks with Chris and Carolyn on Splice before watching the Easter Parade leave the church and head to the square. This morning we got a taxi back to the boat where we put on the last sail. I then had several fiddly little jobs with brackets not quite right and bolts stubbornly refusing to budge. We will clean Imagine once more and be ready to head back to the U.K. tomorrow.

25th April

We launched, the engines started and we moored onto Preveza town quay. The wind got up and the motor boat next to us wasn't holding on his anchor and drifted down on us. Then the handle for a seacock snapped in my hand. We're not sinking but that has the be fixe before we go anywhere, potentially time consuming and expensive. There's always something.

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24th April

Our early flight meant leaving Whitstable at 2am. By 4 in the morning Gatwick was busy with travellers having their full English before departure. Imagine was intact but covered with a layer of red dust. It needed two washes to get her looking pretty clean. We managed a start on the other jobs but there is still a lot to do before launching tomorrow.

23rd April check posting

We're of tomorrow. Grete, Alice, Emily and Sophie should all receive an invitation to view the posts. Please reply so you can keep up to date with where we are.