Free At Last
20 April 2023 | Kefalonia
Strawberry Pancakes
Friday 14 April 2023
Seems that nearly everyone here speaks English, at least in Argostoli. Bit of a change from Sicily for us parochial North Americans. Thanks Britain for having the biggest empire in history and making English the worldwide lingua franca.
Moved up bay for wind this afternoon to a beautiful little harbor at Agia Effimia, small town with lots of cafes.
Saturday
Three layer strawberry pancakes for breakfast on the quay. AB market for fruits, veggies, eggs and restocking of adult beverages. Except for inefficient and overtly threatening bureaucracy Greece has so far been a delight.
Sunday
Sailed east to Ithaki island's Port Vathy before expected rain. Well-protected bay surrounded by a beautiful little town. Unfortunately afternoon and evening showers kept us aboat for the evening. Hope to get a break tomorrow for a visit.
Monday
As spring slowly wears on temperatures seem to be getting cooler. High today forecast sixteen. Entire crew wearing woolies. Just read that water temps never get above twenty five degrees even in the depth of summer. For a number of reasons including visa issues, Mediterranean sojourn shaping up to be much like is said of boat ownership for many: two happiest days are the beginning and the end. As with all adventures, glad we had them, but sometimes even happier to reminisce over sundowners in a cockpit with friends.
Wednesday
After being accosted by Greek Coast Guard for anchoring wrong place in Fiskardo where we had previously been told to move from original location, stepped from frying pan into fire as they checked a transit log we didn't have due cruising tax we had been told was unpaid. Spent delightful day with coasties then on whatsapp with agent getting everything sorted. Turns out we had bad information and only needed to prove that money had been sent not that it had to be recorded on website, which can apparently take a month. Could have done that last week. They're apparently not required to accept proof from foreign bank, but did. Official suggested we should have opened a Greek bank account... for two and a half weeks... right! Agent brought transit log by evening and we retrieved confiscated passports. The wages of our sin was measured in euro. Except for unpleasant person (evil witch) in Argostoli, officials have been OK. And we still love Greece... for about another week and a half before heading to Croatia. And another kerfuffle? Hope not.
Jack & Jan