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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