On Friday 23rd July we anchored off the end of the Lefkas Canal at Lygia, primarily for a swim before heading into the Marina ready to meet friend Peter. However there was a yearning for sardines, so we jumped into the dinghy and went ashore for a Greek salad and a plate of delicious grilled sardines. As we delayed our entry to the marina as long as possible to avoid the busyness and the heat, we watched an incredible exodus of yachts from the Inland sea. It was Friday and the end of the charter yachting week! We lost count of the dozens of catamarans converging on the canal like wasps to a honey pot; they all seemed to be racing to be first. When we eventually joined in and arrived at the marina, we understood why. Each boat needed to refuel before handing it back and the fuel jetty was manic with boats jostling for the next space. Fortunately, having booked our berth for the night, we went straight into our allotted place and got tied up without any problems.
It was great to welcome Peter from his late landing flight from Gatwick. He arrived in the relative cool of the evening, so began his acclimatisation the easy way. He came bearing bubbles, most welcome! various boat parts Nigel has ordered from the UK, and very importantly Peter gifted us a new red ensign. The previous one, faded like the status of the UK in the EU, was quickly replaced by this bright new one. Thank you Peter!
We were all anxious to depart Lefkas, so after essential housekeeping chores which included filling with water, we set off soon after 10am the next morning. The week was set fair with light winds and plenty of heat, so it became a mission to set the itinerary to find some afternoon wind. On day one, our destination being Sivota, 20 miles south of Lefkas town, we found far too much of it on the nose, (where else?) south of Meganissi. Our usual stopover in Sivota is Stavros’ pontoon. It was 5pm and we fetched up as only one of two boats on it; having never seen the place so empty. We concluded it was too soon for the charter boats, but later that evening several catamarans tied up, so the restaurant was full. We enjoyed a superb fish between the three of us and slept happy.
Other stops included Vathi North Quay on Ithaca, where once again we had a very agressive afternoon wind that made for lively approaches and mooring up.
Ithaca to Kastos via the island of Atacos, half way between the two and on which we had planned a lunchtime stopover. It was not to be; the small anchorage available was full to bursting, so we sailed on to find an anchorage spot off the entrance at Kastos. It took over an hour to get the anchor set as the holding was very patchy, but we , like the many other boats doing the same thing, achieved it eventually. It is noticeably busier. Many more charter boats are out and many European owned boats are all vying for the same spaces. This was a reminder of why we usually spend mid July to end August in UK. That and the increasing heat with daytime temperatures once again climbing towards 40, 41 degrees. Much too hot. We enjoyed Margeritas at the cocktail bar on Kastos followed by a very enterprising BBQ aboard.
Port Atheni next where Peter had to fix up the internet access for their AAA investment club meeting, followed by a night of star gazing from Varko Bay where there is little light pollution. We all saw an amazing shooting star which veritably ‘exploded and cascaded’ before our eyes.
Peter was great crew and took all his duties very seriously; giving Mo some time off from time to time! Peter swims like a fish and enjoyed daily swims of marathon proportions which put Nigel and Mo’s daily efforts to shame!
The need to go to Preveza for Covid PCR tests came all too soon, but we were rewarded with a great sail north from Lefkas before hitting the heat of the town. With the tests behind us but with the risks of Covid from packed bars an ever present possibility, we enjoyed the backstreet cafes of Preveza, choosing to sit only in the least crowded places.
Once again a trip round to Vonitsa to fill time before Deja Vu was lifted out, the laundry was done and a sort out and clear out completed. We left Cleopatra Marina at 7pm and flew home on a half full Easy Jet flight getting back to Gatwick around 11pm local time. We were glad to find our beds and adjust to new temperatures.
Deja Vu 
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