Freya & Us

Our next stop was Poros 35 miles away on Kephalonia. As we had to motor all the way we were very relieved that Paul had managed to identify the problem with the auto pilot and it behaved well - phew! The first night we anchored just around the point where the water was so clear we could actually see the anchor at the end of its chain, 25m away, securely set on the bottom. In the morning we went into the small port and found a nice little town in a lovely setting with a gorge towering above and not to busy. There was a nice walk all around the bay and a small beach almost next to the port for our afternoon swim and snorkel (even Paul is getting in now!). On our 2nd night the port got quite busy and there was lots of talk of high winds the following day. We'd noticed a bit higher than usual on the forecast but it didn't look that bad. As the talk spread extra lines started going on - fair enough and we added an extra line each side. Then we noticed our neighbour checking his anchor every 5 minutes. More lines went on which started a snow ball effect all down the quay until there were so many lines we had cats cradles all along. (We stuck with our four). We hoped no one's anchor did slip and they had to unravel it all in a hurry! It was amazing how one nervous person could cause panic all around! Needless to say the winds didn't amount to much and it would've been a good sailing day albeit a bit choppy.

After a pleasant few days we headed back to Vathi as we hadn't had chance to explore last visit. There's a lovely big anchorage with plenty of room and very peaceful. We walked around the bay having a lovely lunch on route in the town which is really pretty. On our 2nd night katabatic winds blew off the hills and funnelled through the bay which at up to 30 knots caused a choppy night. We felt reasonably confident in our anchor holding but we're a little and concerned over whether other boat's might slip. In the morning, a bit bleary eyed, we decided to move on.

Next stop was a full on sail at between 5-6.5 kts to the small island of Kalamos. We literally blew the cobwebs out the sails which haven't been up for a while. Kalamos is spectacular with its steep mountains rising straight out of the sea. In the small port, the taverna owner, George, helps everyone moor very efficiently and packs a lot of boats into a small space. I don't really like playing boat sardines with everyone so close together but it was a pretty little village and lovely beach with several old windmills along it. When we arrived the boat 2 up said that he thought we were across his anchor - no problem, we didn't think we were but agreed to leave before him in the morning - little did we know what would happen in the morning! When the first boat raised his anchor he had another's anchor across it and we all watched the technique as they expertly freed it - a first for us although we'd heard lots of stories. Then the 2nd boat had the same - they weren't quite so expert but managed to free themselves. The third had a chain completely wrapped around his - that needed help from George and his dinghy to sort. And so it continued, nearly every boat picked up another chain - there was a cats cradle of chain under the sea! We nervously watched until our turn came hoping we could untangle ourselves without too much embarrassment but our anchor came up with no problem apart from avoiding the other boats trapped in the middle, almost an anticlimax in the end!

Then to here - Port Athini on Meganissi. Apart from a quay, fishing boats and a taverna it's just a very pretty bay. We've anchored with long lines ashore away from the quay and it's very peaceful and pretty. The only problem is the wasps which are really annoying and I have a sting on my arm which is driving me mad! We were a bit worried when a flotilla arrived and the taverna started playing Greek music for the obligatory dancing at 10 pm but they played 2 songs to much cheering followed by half a dozen disco numbers, again to much cheering and all finished by 11! And again exactly the set the 2nd night. Why can't they all be like that! Yesterday we walked over the island to little Vathi - not very far but very hilly and hot! It was a very pretty walk through olive groves to Katomeri, a pretty village on the hill with narrow windy roads and then to Vathi which again is very pretty. Obviously lunch in a quayside taverna was essential before the walk back and a much needed swim around the boat.