Thursday May 12, 2016

38 10.6N:20 29.4E

Photo : Agioi Theodoroi lighthouse at the entrance to Argostoli

When we came up on deck we saw the evidence of Saharan rain. That's our name for the tan/brown stain that comes with rain that carries dessert sand. It can be carried well beyond the Med, London included. The decks looked freckled but fortunately our sail was affected as it has been in previous years off the Spanish coast. Paul used the saltwater wash down pump to hose the sand off.

We got underway at 1040 under power and headed north to go around the top of the island, along the west coast on our way to Argostoli at the southern end of Cephalonia. Put up the main as we round Ak Dhafnoudhi. We started out with NE winds but they gradually came around to the ESE and on the nose. Variable wind speed but in the afternoon it was 20 to a max of 31.2 knots true. Seas were steep and rough. As we rounded the light at N Vardhianoi we eased sailed and headed into the large bay, we could hear thunder getting louder. Got a few sprinkles only.

We pass the distinctive Agioi Theodoroi lighthouse. Built in 1829, destroyed in the earthquake of 1953, it was rebuilt to its original plan. Nearby is Katavothres where there was once a grain mill powered by seawater. The water mill no longer works but the seawater still drops into underground caverns, travels under the mountains of the island and resurfaces 14 days later at Karavomylos near Sami on the east coast.

We tied up along the town wharf, tying alongside which is allowed when there is space in the off-season. There was plenty of space and the 2-meter depth was fine for Canty.