Ouzo Bay Meganisi

That afternoon once the beach had been deserted we head over for our Ouzo Time.  It's a peaceful time just sitting in the water sipping on our Ouzo.  Then Effie arrives.  You can hear her long before you can see her and once her and her man are on the beach she doesn't take a breathe for an hour.  By that time the ice has melted and I'm swimming back to the yacht.

We have a quite night on the yacht and depart early the next morning for the mainland.

Wilfred a mate of Keith's has told us about a great spot called one tree bay but we are not really 100% sure where it is but we go in search for it.  It's on the mainland directly north of Meganisi so it takes us about 90 mins to reach the general area.

We find a few large beaches with beautiful turquoise water and soon decide on a smaller beach where we can reverse in and anchor.  It's only lunch time and the water temperature is still only 25 degrees so a tad cold for swimming.  However it's nice and hot and a great view from our tender as we row around the area.  Over the next four hours the water temp increases to 27 degrees so we take a few dips to cool off.  

Just as we serve up dinner the wind picks up.  We are not sure if its a local wind particular to the area or not.  We wait another hour or so and then decide to head back to our calm little bay at Vlikhou   only an hour away.  I quickly pick up our stern line tied around a rock ashore and we are on our way.

It's a balmy evening and we are still in our cossies as we raise the head sail and enjoy a very pleasant sail towards the island of Levkas.  Once anchored up the wind has died down and we enjoy a smooth evening at anchor.

Meganisi

Monday morning we decide its time to head over to Meganisi Island only an hour away.  We know of a few good spots to visit that we went to last year so keen to revisit them.

So we sail over to Abelaki Bay and get a great possie, even though the bay is pretty  full.  

We spend the day swimming and sun baking and just relaxing.  We watch the yachts come and go but we are staying two nights here as we are in a great location stern in tied off to the land.

There are two Tavernas ashore but I'm cooking tonight and there's lots of leftovers that Greg is very happy about.  We watch a few episodes of Entourage and then have a great nights sleep.

Tuesday morning we decide its time for some exercise so head into Little Vathi up heart break hill.  It's only 25 minutes away, a small fishing village.  We stop for refreshments at the Boom Boom Bar and do a little provisioning.  Then walk back to our tender and row to our yacht.

Being the anchor bitch I have to snorkel out to check on it to make sure we are not fouled.  It all seems to be ok.

We bump into another couple we met in Kalimos and then saw in Nidri,  we all seem to be following each other around to the good anchorages.

The afternoon is spent in holiday mode, swimming and snorkelling and I think even an Ouzo Bay moment is coming.

Still chillin

We spend another evening in Vlikhou Bay and go back to the Aimanaki Taverna from last night.  The meal is delicious, garlic mushrooms, sagonaki cheese, souvlaki and moussaka, plus I forgot to mention they serve complimentary chocolate crepes for dessert, worth going just for that. We are so stuffed and ready for another good nights sleep.

We awake to another glorious morning and finally feel like we are now on holidays.  We decide to pick up anchor and head back to Nidri as we want to watch the Rugby match at Devine Bar.  We are in luck and get a position on the Scorpious charter pontoon.  Keith looks after the pontoon and is a really lovely chap.  We are in a great location and decide to stay at least two nights.

After a big breakfast at out favourite cafe we head over to the Devine Bar.  We are the two lonely Aussies among a large crowd of Brits all ready for the Lions match.  Lucky for us the Wallabies win by one point.

F1 qualifying is up next so we get to see that as well.  Then it's back on the yacht for a siesta.  Think we need it!

Somehow we end up having a very big night out, sampling a few new bars and some old favourites.  I smoke a cigar and pay for it all day Sunday.

But we have a great night out.

It's a different story Sunday as we can barely move as a tad hungover.  We manage to sit through the F1 but its a challenge.  Mark Webber does a great job to come in second place.

Keith from Scorpious invites us over for a beer so we oblige.  He has had a very adventurous life on the high seas with lots of tails to tell. 

I manage to find some energy to do some cleaning up and put the laundry in but that's as far as I go today.  It's a very quite night and early to bed for both of us.

How's the serenity?

After a sleepless night in Kalamos we are the first to leave at 7am and we can't wait to get away from the wind tunnel.  Lucky for us we don't have a fouled anchor.

We are headed to Nidri on the East coast of Lefkada about two hours away.  The wind is already blowing at 4s and 5s but we don't care any more.

Once we get close to the bay the winds die down and it's pretty calm and we find a spot on the wharf to reverse into.  It's very close to all the shops and Tavernas.  We jump ashore and head for the closest cafe for a caffeine hit and some breakfast.  Oh god it's so great to be where there is no wind for a change.  It looks like we may stay in the area for some time as there is another bay further south of Nidri that we would like to visit as well.

After a few good coffees I head into the town in search of a sports bar to watch the State of Origin.  I try every place that has a TV but no luck.  Andy at the DeVine Bar spends a while Googling for me but has no luck either however I decide we can use his Wi-Fi and listen to the game like last time.

After showers and some tidying up on the yacht we head over for the game.  Well what can I say other than what a turn around from game 1. Lets hope the Blues learn a few things from this game and thrash the Maroons in a few weeks.  

We are going to be adults tonight and stay up late for a change.  We have some Ouzos at one of the lounges and a few drinks on board the yacht.  We feel like celebrating as finally we can relax and light up one of the Cuban cigars that Craig gave us. Soooo smooth.  Thanks Craig.

Next it's out to find a club and we try a few Bars along the beach front and enjoy chillin out.  There's not really any clubbing going on so we have our midnight supper of chicken shish on the way home.  We sleep in till 10am oh heaven and eventually head for our caffeine hit.

It's another great day with the temperature hitting the high 20s.  We decide to leave and check out Vlikhou.  Finally it's our turn to get a fouled anchor and boy it's a beauty.  I've managed to hook my anchor through an old one laying on the bottom with chain.  The anchor winch seizes and Greg has to dive in and somehow release the anchor.  Unfortunately the old anchor and chain will remain on the bottom for another poor soul to get fouled on as its too heavy to remove.

It's only about one nautical mile south to Vlikhou and we find a great place to anchor, the bay is pretty full as a lot of sailors would be running from the winds.  Outside its still blowing 5s and 6s but we are fully protected where we are.  We drop anchor and all I feel like doing is sleeping so I doze off throughout the day in the cockpit in between lunch and swimming.  Finally we can relax!

I row ashore as we are going for dinner at one for the Tavernas along the shore.  The one we go to had a lovely veranda over the water and the food is home cooked and delicious.  We finish our night at the Quay Cafe that has great Wi- Fi and served us a beautiful plate to go with our Ouzo which we could not eat as so full from dinner.  I felt bad leaving it but took the photo.

  

It's a very peaceful night on the yacht and we have another great sleep.  I get up early to apply for a few jobs that have been advertised as I work better in the morning.  I also read the ICC book from start to finish basically the certification you need to sail in Europe.  I am trying to find a company that will let me sit the exam while I'm over here.

After a coffee on board we decide to head back to Nidri for some provisioning as we are out of water.  Greg doesn't want to tie up at the wharf again and get fouled so he reverses onto a charter pontoon and drops me off.  That's where the fun begins.  I'm back on the pontoon waiting to get picked up and I can see Greg passing me by but not even looking my way.  He's going to the wrong pontoon for me.  30 mins later as the ice is melting away he finally picks up his phone and all my unhappy messages.  Meanwhile the tender that was tied to the front of the yacht has filled with water and we have lost out temporary seat.  Yes it's still a mystery what actually happen to our tender seat.  Anyway we must be too relaxed as we keep stuffing up.  Greg finally realises I'm on the other wharf waiting for him and not a happy chap might I say.  On the way back to Vlikhou Greg empties the water out of the tender and cops and earful from me.  It takes us three attempts to dig the anchor in and we are finally secure for another peaceful day / night in Vlikhou.

Thank god for George!

 We depart Astakos just after 8 after I take a walk around town and grab some provisions.  We are expecting winds to Beaufort 5 all day today but first up its pretty mild and we have a nice motor sail over to Port Leone on the Island of Kalamos.  Port Leone village was deserted in 1953 after the earthquake destroyed the local water supply.  It's was easier to relocate rather than rebuild.

We arrive in Kalamos Harbour around 11 and tie off to shore with all our anchor out.  The harbour master George lets us know that they are expecting big winds tonight and we are not really that protected in this harbour from the NW winds even though our pilot book states we  should be.

The harbour starts to fill up with numerous charter yachts rafted up side on and other private yachts stern in like us.  Every one is on edge due to the intensity of the winds slowly building up. If only you could hear the noise.  Every possible line that could assist has been used and tied off.  The harbourmaster George is amazing helping every single yacht come in.

Looks like another sleepless night for all of us.

The biggest question now is do we leave tomorrow and find another shelted place or sit it out for another  night.

I'm blogging live now and it's just after 6.30pm, George is still in his tinny assisting.  The charter yachts are rafted up eight three on both sides of the harbour entrance, it's hard to believe.  George has to ask some late comers to anchor outside as there is no room left now.

The good news is that is feels like the winds are dying down a little, fingers crossed.

I think the only thing to save us tonight is a little yamas!

And George!

Welcome to the Ionians

Although I'm glad to be leaving Mesolongion there are some redeeming features like the turtles and cafe that does have great Wi-Fi.  We had a great catch up with Belinda yesterday afternoon and sounds like she is having a ball.

Messolonghi marina is hot and not fully set up yet plus a good 20 min walk into the town centre.  You can't swim in the water as it's too dirty from the fish farms and marsh land so happy to depart Monday morning for a further destination on the mainland on the west coast called Astakos.  Don't get me wrong we are wintering here and a great place to do that but not a great place to hang around for too long.

We start our morning sail in dead calm but 90 minutes out is blows into 4, 5, and 6ers.  So what is new.  Even the Ionians are having unseasonable weather as we find out. We pass loads of fish farms and the water is that greeny yellow murky colour not very inviting and this fish farm is moving to a new location.

We arrive at our next destination around noon and our neighbours ungraciously bark orders at us as we reverse stern to the wharf right outside all the restaurants and cafes.  They assume we are a charter yacht  so we soon set them straight.  Although its a public holiday most places are open for business.

Astakos is a small  fishing village, basic but does have some lovely beaches and we cool off in the afternoon.  There is a unpleasant smell every now and then but the fishes seem to love the water.  I've never seen so large schools of fish.

We are all expecting some big winds tonight but actually they don't really eventuate. As we are both sleep deprived we have an early night and plan to leave early tomorrow as the meltimi is heading our way.  The Meltimi are strong N NW winds that blow for days up to force 7-8.  And as the Greek Islands are large masses or mountainous  rock, the winds blow down the sides of the mountains which accelerates the speed.

Moonlight cruise

We've decided to use the natural light of the full moon, so depart our ancorage at 1am after a few hours sleep.  The winds gods are with us tonight as for the majority of the way it is dead calm.  Apart from a few fishing boats we only pass one large vessel during our eight hour journey.

We head back under the Rion Bridge as the moon is setting in the west

And the sun is rising in the east.

It's a great way to beat the sun gods today.  We arrive at Mesolongion pronounced Missalonghi around 9am to find the Marina closed today and also Monday due to a public holiday.  It's a shame as we are planning on wintering here and were hoping to sign the contracts etc.  Guess that will have to wait till out return on the 17th July.

We are pretty knackered so have a few hours kip then do a little provisioning at the marina market.  It's hot but we have a great breeze passing through the yacht so not unpleasant.

I have a FaceTime date with Belinda who is in New York so hopefully Wi-Fi permitting we can catch up for the first time in six weeks.  Then we will head into town to see some of the pre celebrations in readiness for tomorrow's public holiday.

Not sure what this poor chappie is doing but would prefer to be pulling the rope.

Tomorrow is a different story as the winds are blowing from the west at 5s so not sure right now where we are going, guess the Captain can make that decision in the morning.

Last time we we here few found a great looking pizza place so that's where we are heading tonight. It's a good walk into town and we enjoy our meal.