We’re up early, the wind has dropped and changed direction from the East. The boat on our starboard side is blocking our exit and their anchor is over ours so we’re got to wait until they move. The skipper was a decent fellow and was fine to get going at 09:30

We planned our exit carefully. Jasmine at the tiller. We ran through the plan several times. I would get the anchor in. Jasmine would steer and control the throttle. “We may need some reverse if we get too far ahead of our anchor” I stated. The wind was coming from the east which thankfully meant we should be blown away from the boats moored against the mole. Kioni is a tricky place to moor whether it be entering or leaving. Jasmine did a great job at the tiller and we got out without a hiccup.

Kioni was wonderful. A truly magical place. I caught this picture of a gorgeous wooden boat the stayed the night.

The first hour of the journey was fine but as we rounded the headland you’re more exposed and there’s effectivley nothing between you and Italy. The wind picked up and the swell was running at around a metre. With both sails up we made great progress across to Kefalonia although the sea was hitting us on the beam so making for an uncomfortable ride. Both Marty and Jasmine felt a bit queazy and we all decided to pop a ‘Kwell’ to be on the safe side.

We arrived into Fiscardo, Kefalonia at around 12:30
Fiscardo is a picture-postcard village. The building survived the 1953 earthquake and the place oozes character and charm. The downside is it’s incredibly popular and finding a place to moor is challenging. The boat ahead of me was making a bee-line for the town quay and shouted his intentions. Did I look like a ‘Queue-jumper?!’ There was room for more than 1 boat anyway, in fact probably three. As he made his move a speedboat decided to leave from the pontoon on the west side, right in front of us. Perfect! We where in there in a few minutes, moored up, stern-to and ready for a coffee.

This afternoon was hot. 95 degrees, no wind and the effect of the Kwells were taking their toll. Marty, Jasmine and I simply wanted to sleep, but of course, Mila was having none of it. We wandered around the village trying to stay awake. In the end a series of ‘cat-naps’ had to happen and by late afternoon we where feeling much more alive.

Dinner in the evening was the “Lord Falcon’ a great Thai restaurant and a real pleasant change from a Taverna. People moan about Greek food. It’s actually not all bad. They make some terrific salads and there are a few restaurants that produce some finer and more unusual stuff. However if you stick to traditional Greek tavernas then the menu choice can become a little boring. The Thai food was indeed excellent and polished off with a bottle of wine we were all in bed by 10:30