26th August came quickly, our time in Farnham seemed like a flash and we were back on an Easyjet flight to Preveza. We left 30 degrees in the UK and arrived in 35 degrees in Greece with night temperatures not dipping below 25 degrees, so instead of spending 3 nights on the boat ashore, we were forced into renting a small apartment in Preveza to have survival air conditioning at night!
We had rented a car so that Mo could travel to Agrinio to have fingerprints taken as part of the process she was going through to extend her Greek Residency status. All done seamlessly and gave us the flexibility of the car.
We launched on September 1st and raced round to Varko for essential swimming before heading back up to Lefkas to await the arrival of our guests, Brian and Michele late on September 2nd We had time to shop and equip the boat with plenty of water, fruit and veg, so we were ready for the off on the morning of 3rd September.
A heat dome had blanketed Europe for the week and we sweltered in high daytime temperatures in excess of 35 degrees, so swimming and breeze is what we sought every day. We visited Kalamos where George welcomed us in his usual inimitable style and saved the day when during the strong evening breeze our anchor broke loose. Expecting to have to slip out and re-anchor, George took control and calmly gathered our anchor and ferried it across the bay in his dinghy, dropping some 60m away. Job done, and no need to move which was a relief. What had actually happened was the original anchor drop had landed on a sheet of plastic and had been unable to take in the mud. These things happen but there is not always a George to fix it!
From Kalamos we went to Ithaca, dropped anchor in Golden Bay for a swim and lunch before enjoying an evening on the North Quay at Vathi. On to Kefalonia and a night anchored off the beach at Sami, none too calm in the late evening breeze which slightly upset Michele’s even keel, but glad to say she soon recovered with the magic sea bands on. Next stop Poros and then on to Agia Pelagia for a couple of nights.
Farewell to Brian and Michele who had provided great company and endured the heat. Quite coincidentally our Farnham friends Anne and Christopher were holidaying in the south of Kefalonia and joined us for dinner that same evening. Always strange when our two worlds collide, but it was great to see them and share time together.
We received excellent news. Mo had heard that her residency card was ready to collect, so next stop Messolonghi as a good base for getting back up to Agrinio. On 11th September we journeyed from west Kefalonia to Oxia, motoring two thirds of the way before meeting a fresh breeze for the last third which even called for a reef. Once again the ‘all or nothing’ climate of Greece!
Our anchor dragged in the fresh winds off Oxia so we decided on taking one of the restaurant buoys which are good and strong and gave us a peaceful night. Mo was definitely out of practice in picking up buoys though, especially in 25 knots, but managed it on the second attempt, thank goodness!
We were booked into Messolonghi marina for 3 nights to enable us to do laundry, time to get to Agrinio and also to weather the strong winds that were blowing through following the breakdown of the intense heat, so it was a fortuitous stopover. With a hire car we collected Mo’s card, did the shopping and enjoyed lunch down at the beach driving down a surreal road past flamingoes, houses on stilts, surrounded by water. All worth it for the mussel saganaki at the restaurant!
Oxia is an oasis and we love visiting it. The 20 euro buoys have become a favourite though and once again we opted for the worry free option. The evening gave us a spectacular sunset, the night gave us strong winds, no worry at all.
We had a brilliant sail with easterly winds on the beam, making 7knots north, passing a Lefkas regatta race, and arrived in Vliho Bay in record time to meet up with friends Phil and Norma, with whom we had supper and shared tales of our adventures. We were interested to hear of their trip to Sicily and Italy, so notes are taken.
Time for one more night in Varko, at anchor, to swim and enjoy the peaceful ambience it never fails to provide. On our way back past Lefkas we saw hundreds of catamarans in every direction we looked as it was change over day for the charter boats. Quite scary!
Back to Cleopatra and the work began to clean up, clear up and all the rest of the jobs that need doing.
This year we have travelled just 786 miles, more than 2024, less than last year, but we have enjoyed revisiting great places, discovering new ones and meeting many lovely people. This is what it is all about. We are now heading off by bus, plane and ferry to the island of Leros in the Dodecanese for a few days so that Nigel can talk about Greek regulations to the CA sailors there and celebrate his forthcoming birthday. Can’t wait!
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