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Bruno cannot believe it! His grandson is now 14! How time flies.....25th July 2014....Happy birthday, Louis from us xx
We had a very special night last week....anchored all alone off a tiny islet on the north east coast of Aegina. Quite a few boats during the day anchored securely in 'proper' sand. Fortunately for us they all disappeared back to the mainland Athens direction, so we took advantage of this wonderful spot, just for us. But has to be perfect conditions, as rather exposed....we we very lucky. Then over to Nisos Salamis, for a short sail into the large bay of Salamis village. Spent a couple of quiet days, as no ferries, no charter boats, no flotillas, no tourists (except a few locals), in fact only saw one catamaran. But we did have one noisy night with gusts of 30 knots for more than 12 hours....needed to stay another day to recuperate! I am writing from Korfos, a nice attractive near landlocked bay, back on the Peloponnese coast...very very laidback and sleepy...suits us fine. In fact we are alongside a small floating ponton for 4 euros a day, including water....pas mal! 35 degrees most days....we are into the sweltering heat of the summer...thankfully, we usually appreciate a breeze out at anchor, plus we can swim whenever to cool off...the cigales sing late into the night.....we eat late, well after sunset, consequently we remain out in the cockpit until at least midnight. Francesco and Enrica, our charming Italian neighbours invited us for aperitifs last night...merci beaucoup! They are the proud owners of a beautiful Nauticat 385 called SHANGRI LA. Also joined by their friends, Marisa and Rinaldo...a delightful Italian couple who live aboard their Amel Santorin ZOE. We really do enjoy meeting interesting different people from other countries....a big part of our sailing life. Looking forward to catching up with 'Stormy Petrel' next week....possibly in Epidhavros....only 9 miles from here! We slowly motored the short distance from Korfos to Epidhavros.....with a colourless hazy sky.....not a breath of wind......! Wonderful to see dolphins again...they hang around the fish farms, easy to find their food! Now anchored off this convivial small village of Palaia Epidhavros overlooked by the huge church...all alone at anchor, although there are boats on the town quay. The main attraction here is the Epidhavros theatre, about 30 minutes by car inland. One of the best preserved of all Greek theatres and one of the finest pieces of classical architecture in existence....has been restored in certain areas, but is still mostly all original. With 14000 seats, the acoustics are absolutely perfect...the summer concerts are well renowned. In the past, the original site was the Santuary of Askeplion, a religious centre for curing the sick...at the time, it was comparable to Delphi, but unfortunately very few ruins remain. We won't be visiting this time, as far too hot and far too many tourists....we had the pleasure during a Spring when my brother was onboard a few years ago. However, a definite MUST.... Enjoying chats and drinks with Neville and Gosia from 'Stormy Petrel', who recently came thru the Corinth Canal. I wrote a whole text about Poros and it is has disappeared......!
So will start all over again....I am not finding it easy to use Weebly with my tablet...I guess I will get used to it....! From the south, one sails into picturesque Poros town through a narrow winding shallow channel, separating this attractive Saronic island from the Peloponnese coast.....BUT, attention! for the fast ferries and all other crafts on the water...busy! busy! The island is richly covered in pines, citrus groves and ancient entwined olive trees, small coves for swimming around every corner. The town is made up of cluttered white houses built on the rocky slopes around the clock tower...flowering jasmine, bougainvilleas, oleanders and hibiscus add to the charm. Therefore popular with tourists, and day trippers from Athens, as only 1 hour away on the fast ferry..... There is a splendid Monastery overlooking Monastery Bay, but very deep for anchoring unfortunately. Same as Navy Bay opposite the Greek Naval Cadet School....a stately building. Just opposite Poros on the mainland is the small village of Galatas, not at all interesting, but does have Lidl...very handy. We spent a few days in Ormos Neorion, a lovely bay, few tavernas, no frills...pity that the water skiing starts very early in the am. Russian Bay, next door, is usually busy, as there is a tiny islet with a typical chapel ... clear water. Further down, we anchored in Ormos Vidhi....serene, utter quiet until the motor boats from Athens invaded and took over the bay! Time to move on .....which we did >>>> Aegina. After a few peaceful days with the goats in the northern anchorage on the barren island of NISIS DHOKOS, we are now back in civilisation anchored off the small mainland village of ERMIONI....today there was a fabulous market...we were not disappointed ..... what a choice of fruit and vegetables, plants, fish, plus clothes etc....all at reasonable prices. The peaches and nectarines, melons, cherries etc..are so difficult to resist.
If only I could have bought some plants....! Unfortunately, we are unable to swim off the boat....water very IFFY? So will only stay a couple of days to take advantage of wifi connexion to catch up. Then off to discover more bays on the way to Poros, not far up the coast. We were invited for aperitifs last night on S/Y 'Perline' a Dufour 45, registered in Sydney....Jonine and Vic, merci beaucoup! See you around soon.... |
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