We left Kalamata on Monday 22nd May. All of our contingency time had been taken up with waiting for adverse weather to pass through so we were on a mission to have an uninterrupted journey forward! This we did and arrived in Poros on Saturday 27th May for a crew change. Peter could depart to Athens by fast ferry on 28th and Tom could arrive from Athens later in the same day.
The journey along the southern tips of the Peloponnese was a mixture of motoring in no wind, sailing in some wind and motoring into too much wind. Sometimes cloudy, sometimes sunny and hot, often cool but importantly we did manage to avoid the rain which was ever-nearby and often threatening.
We stopped overnight in Mezapos on the western end of the Mani Peninsular. This proved to be a surprisingly good anchorage with the boat held firm in strong offshore winds. We did not venture ashore but there is reported to be a tavern and a smart hotel. We then travelled around Capo Grosso, a huge lump of rock and the tip of Mani in the cool, early morning calm and sailed 20 miles east into the southern bay of the island of Elafonisos. This was a pleasant stop in crystal clear blue water off the sandy beach. Good holding despite the swells that continued through the afternoon but as the wind died in the evening a peaceful night.
Pictures of Mezapo, Mani, Maleas and Elafonisos below
We had a superb stopover in the lovely Monemvaisa, home to an ancient and fascinating Byzantine town, after rounding the infamous Cape Maleas (dubbed the Mediterranean Cape Horn). The redoubtable restauranteur and unofficial harbourmaster, Mateo, helped us find a berth in the harbour which is still under reconstruction. It will be great when finished. In the afternoon we took Peter to the old town which was as interesting as the last time we visited. Well worth the effort of getting there and there are many really attractive places to stay.
The next day we headed north, again in virtually no wind, so under motor. The lack of wind and common sense prevailed and we shortened the planned trip to stop at Kiparissi, anchoring in the south part of the bay and from there we all managed our first swim in Greek waters!
We then crossed to the eastern most part of the Peloponnese and overnighted in Ermioni having abandoned plan A which was to spend the night in an anchorage on the island of Dhokos. Nigel had a premonition that the wind would strengthen from the north overnight, making the anchorage unsafe. As it turned out he was right and we were glad of the quiet night and good meal in Ermioni. The next day lived up to and exceeded the forecast with a very strong and gusty northerly wind. Attempts at sailing were abandoned as the wind gusted so hard and we ended up motoring to Poros, a bit of a copout but everyone was happy and the boat was not over stressed. This experienced proved that it is not all plain sailing in Greece.
Poros is pretty and very busy. There is a huge waterfront able to accommodate lots of boats and it fills up every day. There has been a fresh wind blowing all day making mooring up challenging for anyone but especially for the new charter boat skippers fresh out of Athens.
We waved Peter off on his ferry at lunchtime today having enjoyed having his company, expertise and good humour with us for the last 10 days, travelling about 200 miles together. He is off to explore Athens meeting up with his wife Irene. We are waiting for Tom, watching the weather to decide on where to sail with him but it looks like north and west for the few days he is with us. We shall see.
Deja Vu 
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