25 June 2014
BAY OF WASPS
Next morning Matilda headed for the Corinthe Canal and Italy. We wanted a quiet anchorage for a swim so we chose the south west corner of Agistri, only 2 hours sail away. For a few hours we had this almost idyllic bay to ourselves. I say almost idyllic as we had uninvited guests - yellow and black striped wasps! ( I thought they were bees at first. ) Undaunted we took the plunge to swim in the clear turquoise water. It was only later when we had lunch, that the wasps went crazy wanting our food and Bill's beer. First we gave them a little honey in a plastic container away from us. Unsatisfied they came back. They were awful and when I ran away waving them away, one stung me on my underarm. Ouch! #%£€¥~+!!!! Stingose didn't help much. To appease these horrid things, Bill left a drizzle of beer in a can on Lati's stern. They loved it and we are positive they emerged flying around drunk!
They seemed to leave us alone for a little while. Soon another yacht with a French flag anchored nearby. Bill was entertained by 2 naked ladies basking in the sun. This didn't last long as the wasps discovered them! The ladies jumped up waving their arms about and soon the yacht up anchored and left. More boats appeared including a huge motor boat that obliterated our view. They didn't stay long either. I would say the occupants didn't like the wasps.
By sundown, the wasps seemed to be bored with us. Now there were only 4 yachts in the bay. Next morning, the other 3 yachts made an early departure. Lazily we began breakfast but were besieged by the wasp army again. I was stung twice more and in tears with the pain so we left immediately.
Finally the wasps left us and we were able to enjoy a lazy sail to Poros. I had been corresponding with Elizabeth Tyler, solo sailor and artist from Sweden through the Women Who Sail Facebook group. She is in Poros tied to a buoy. She messaged us saying there was a possible buoy available near her but the depth was shallow around 2 metres. As we motored slowly near Aquarella, Elizabeth's yacht, she smiled broadly as I did, to finally meet in person. We tried to motor to the buoy near her but it was too shallow for us. Instead, we anchored in Navy bay. Last night we took the dinghy over and enjoyed a delicious home cooked meal on board Aquarella. A most enjoyable evening and I look forward to spending more time with Elizabeth while we are in Poros.