14 September 2022 | South Wales
02 May 2022 | Kos - 8,924 NM
24 April 2022 | Lakki, Leros - 8,914 NM
11 April 2022 | Lipsoi - 8,776 NM
07 April 2022 | Samos, 8,735NM
20 March 2022 | Samos - 8,735NM
31 October 2021 | Samos - 8,491 NM
09 November 2020 | Severn Beach, Bristol - 8,735 NM
08 November 2020 | Samos Marina, Pythagorio - 8,735 NM
26 October 2020 | Samos Marina, Pythagorio - 8,735 NM
20 October 2020 | Marathakampos - 20th October 2020 - 8,715NM
09 October 2020 | Limnos - 8,620 NM
30 September 2020 | Patmos - 8,602 NM
25 September 2020 | Evdhilos, Ikaria - 8,552 NM
13 September 2020 | Oinoussa - 8,491 NM
03 December 2019 | Bristol - 8,443 NM
05 November 2019 | Mytilini - 8,443 NM
18 October 2019 | Mytilini, Lesbos - 8,413 NM
11 October 2019 | Molyvos, Lesbos - 8,379 NM
Turtle Spotting
09 June 2017 | Astakos - 6149 NM
Sunny and Still
We said goodbye to Arran and his charterers but stayed for another day in Fiskardo. Apart from anything else it's such a faff to do the long line mooring for just one night! We had a very relaxing day and walked around the pretty headland passing the ruins of a Venetian lighthouse and a monastery.
The following day we motored the 10 miles to Ay Efumia and moored on the quay. There was the usual line of Greek tavernas and a few shops but it had a very nice feel. We decided to stay a couple of nights and hired a car to explore Kephalonia. We had a lovely, if long day. It started with looking at the huge turtles in Argostoli which was very exciting. We passed the ruined castle on the hill at Kastro on our way to Myrtos beach which was stunning and then to the Venetian village of Assos. We had to take a detour over the mountains due to earthquake damage on the coast road, which was really pretty with its coloured houses and castle on a peninsula creating a beautiful sheltered bay. Next stop was the Mellisanni submerged cave near Sami where there wasn't a lot to see but was still very interesting. We'd seen the sea water run into a tunnel underground near Argostoli in the morning and this takes 2 weeks to run into the cave which is totally full of lovely blue water with the sun shining through it as the ceiling collapsed hundreds of years ago.
We decided to head back to Kastos for my birthday as it was both beautiful and peaceful. We were disappointed that there was already a boat on our preferred mooring but we did another long line mooring - becoming quite the experts now - and settled back for our afternoon's entertainment as other boats attempted it! I had a lovely birthday starting with pressies and tea in bed, poached eggs and mushrooms for breakfast and a hot but stunning walk around the east of the island - not sure quite how we managed to walk so far on such a small island! Before getting back to the village we stopped for a swim (not Paul!) in the turquoise waters of a deserted beach - perfect! The evening started with cocktails in a converted windmill and dinner in a taverna with stunning views - the food wasn't that great but it's all about the view. A perfect day.
In the morning we motored to Astakos on the mainland and moored on the quay. It's so different to the islands - a pleasant sea front, a bit run down but a real town. We really like it. Paul's new best friend, Yannis unofficially helps the boats moor each afternoon and assists with whatever else is needed. He seems so excited to have someone speaking Greek on a foreign boat he calls on Paul to give him a hand and they chat away while waiting!
We aren't really feeling the love for the Ionian! There are so many boats compared to our other destinations - and it's only May! The islands are stunningly beautiful - but they're holiday destinations and not somewhere to spend a lot of time. Most of their history has been destroyed by earthquakes over the years and so it's all about the scenery and the beautiful turquoise, crystal sea. I never thought I'd say it but we need more than that and there is a limit to how many times I can say "look at the colour of that sea"! Lots of planning............
The link to our map seems to be stopping people leaving comments on the blog, so I've removed it from these posts for now. I will be keeping it up to date so simply go to one of the special map only posts and click the link there to see it