Since the last proper update we've been round to Nafplion and back to Epidavros. We had a fantastic sail to Nafplion, logging 9.2 knots in 38.8 knots of wind as we passed Nisos Dhokos - our fastest yet. We spent a few days in Nafplion between working and managed to do a few jobs then we headed to Karathona Bay (Boom Boom Bay - so called because of the loud music playing constantly) where we spent a week lying around and swimming.

On our way back round to Epidavros we stopped at Korakonisia and Andy tried out his rejuvenated spear gun with some success, a couple of bass for dinner again. We stopped at Dhokos and joined the Sailing Holidays crew for a drink on the beach before heading to Poros where we had a job repairing a taverna's awning. The sewing machine is starting to earn its keep.

Whilst in Poros we met up with Sheena and Albert on Miyagi Moon. We spent our first winter away with them in Preveza and haven't seen them since so it was good to catch up. We also had the fourth anniversary of our departure from Ramsgate so we went out for dinner to the taverna that we'd done the awning repair for - dinner was our payment.

We set a new record on engine hours during our trip from Nafplion to Epidavros, 3.5 hours of motoring for the entire trip round and that was mostly for setting and retrieving the anchor.

Work on Monday brought the usual selection of clean and not so clean boats to scrub, however one boat had left practically a week's worth of shopping on board so we did really well for spoils that day. After work we started to head back to Poros as we were due to meet Suze (we met her in Sicily four years ago) that night. Half way there I checked my facebook account and found a message to say that she wouldn't be able to make it so we made a detour and headed to Vathi on Methana instead. This was a new area for us and we anchored just south of the village. The harbour is tiny and, although we could have got in, we didn't want the hassle. We ate out at a local taverna, managed to converse a little with the owner, who didn't speak any English, and had a lovely evening.

The next day we sailed to the Metopi Shoals where we've been all week. Metopi is a small island off the tip of Angistri with very shallow water all around which extends out towards Aegina. This makes an ideal spot for anchoring to shelter from northerly winds. There's been a reliable southerly wind each afternoon to cool things slightly and the water is lovely and clear for swimming. This week has seen a heatwave in Greece with temperatures averaging at 40 degrees here in the Saronics, we have all the wind scoops up and awnings over most of the deck to try to keep the boat as cool as possible. Walking along the beach it is difficult not to step on the hundreds of perfect tiny shells. Last year a turtle had dragged itself up the beach to die and was gradually being eaten away by the seabirds. We were advised to bury it and go back in six months or so to retrieve the shell, no way - it stank! Anyway it is still there this year, no longer smelly but you can still see the remnants of it's flippers and head. Unfortunately the shell has completely delaminated due to spending a year in full sun light. Andy found a flipper on the sea bed when checking our anchor and picked it up to dispose of it properly (good man!) but when he brought it to the surface he noticed that it was full of baby octopus/eggs so he dropped it back to the bottom again.

We're staying here tonight and then heading back in to Epidavros tomorrow so that we're ready for work on Monday.