Storm clouds over Preveza |
21st
September We’ve had dramatic
weather in the last week with strong winds and thunderstorms. This was the first real rain we have seen in
three months, so it was a novelty to stand out on deck and get drenched!
Luckily we’ve also had enough dry weather to give the boat a thorough cleaning
inside and out before my mother arrives tomorrow to stay with us for a week.
We’ve hired a car to take her to and from the airport and hopefully
we’ll be able explore a bit more on land too.
Mum in Vonitsa |
Vonitsa harbour |
24th
September The forecast is for
gentle winds and sunshine for the rest of the week so today we motor sailed down
to Lefkas and anchored in the sandy bay at Ak Kefali for lunch. Later we
sailed/drifted in light winds across to Meganisi island and moored by the Spilia
Taverna in Spartakhori, where we had a great meal accompanied by an excellent
wine made locally in Lefkas.
25th
September Mum has said she would
like to go for a ‘real’ sail (she may be 91, but she still enjoys the thrill of
a fast sail) so today we headed for the famously windy channel between Lefkas
and Cephalonia. Our plan was to sail to Fiskardo on Cephalonia, but the wind
Gods disagreed. We got our strong wind, but on the nose. There was also a
short, steep chop which made heading to windward wet and uncomfortable, so we
turned left and had a brilliant sail on a beam reach along the bottom of
Meganisi, then turned left again up the side of the island sailing downwind.
We finally lost the wind at the top of the island, so dropped into the deep,
wooded inlet of Ormos Kapali where we anchored for lunch.
We’re now moored for the night on the town quay at Vathi on Meganisi. I had planned to cook a meal on board, but as we tidied the cockpit I could smell gas, and we quickly discovered that the regulator on the top of gas bottle was leaking. So we’ll be eating out tonight, and we’ll have to buy a new regulator tomorrow.
We’re now moored for the night on the town quay at Vathi on Meganisi. I had planned to cook a meal on board, but as we tidied the cockpit I could smell gas, and we quickly discovered that the regulator on the top of gas bottle was leaking. So we’ll be eating out tonight, and we’ll have to buy a new regulator tomorrow.
Errikos taverna in Vathi |
Next stop was the town of Nidri on Lefkas
where Cliff managed to buy and fit a new regulator for the gas bottle. Then we
did a tour of the east coast of Lefkas from Vlikho bay to Nikiana, an area that
holds fond memories for Mum and she and Dad holidayed here ten years ago. We
had considered staying the night in Nikiana but the port seemed bleak and was
open to the prevalent wind, so we headed back to Vathi on Meganisi instead.
Mum enjoying the sun |
29th
September Mum flew back to the UK
today. It’s been a great week and we are impressed at how well she coped on the
boat. She may find it difficult to walk unaided now, but she managed getting on
and off the boat (even climbing over the guard rail) with a bit of help from us,
and once on board she used the hand holds to move around. Most importantly, she
really seemed to enjoy being on the boat and we’re hoping she will come out and
visit us again next year.
How did you untangle the anchors? Scary thought, having to go in the water with all those boats about. So far, its not happened to us but some boats seem to anchor much closer than necessary, especially as out here there is usually lots of space...... as you will soon see!!
ReplyDeleteYou don't need to go in the water to untangle the anchors. The 'correct' way is to feed a rope under the other boat's chain, gently lift it (so hopefully you don't lift their anchor too) then pull your anchor free. In our case we pulled so hard their anchor literally came up hooked to ours, so it was relatively easy to unhook it with the boat hook. It was lucky they were ready to leave!
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