After picking up a new engine water pump in Lefkas (full marks to FedEx UK for getting it
to us so quickly), and Tim fitting it, we left Lefkas quay on 8 August and headed for the
island of Ithaca after first topping up with diesel and water. After a lunch stop and a swim
between the island of Thalia and the west coast of Meganissi we arrived in Vathi harbour
at about 5pm and moored on the new quay in the north corner of the big bay.
I first came to Vathi on holiday about 8 or 9 years ago, and nothing much has changed
except for the huge number of boats now coming to Ithaca. Apart from a few new
apartments, the town was still the same and I even found the apartment where I stayed.
We had a lovely walk around the town, it was such a hot day with no wind, we took refuge
in an air conditioned supermarket for a while before retreating to a taverna on the seafront
for a cold lager. While drinking the amber nectar, we could see in the distance an easily
recognisable flotilla lead boat powering its way towards Fandancer. Not long afterwards,
we saw yet another flotilla lead boat moor at the same quay and we realised that the
afternoon's entertainment when we got back to the boat would be watching the flotilla
boats tie up around us.
Apparently while we were in town, the first flotilla lead boat persuaded another English
couple on their own boat moored next to us to move further down the quay as they had 12
boats coming in. We were made of sterner stuff, we decided to stay put and enjoy the
buzz going on around us. Although everyone often makes unkind remarks about folks on
flotilla boats, I think they are very brave to take up,the challenge of being in charge of a
yacht for a week, with little or no previous experience. They get a lot of help from the
flotilla leaders when anchoring/mooring but generally they all manage it without mishap.
By 6pm that evening we were surrounded on all sides by at least 12 flotilla boats, and
everyone was having a great time.
The next day we disentangled ourselves from Sailing Holidays and Neilson flotillas, and
headed for the seven hour trip to Mesolonghi,......