Running Home to Turkey

1st September to the 13th Septempber

This journey was accompanied by MEG.  It was very relaxed as we had allowed ourselves plenty of time to get to Corfu and put the boat in Gouvia Marina for a week while we went to Ibiza.

With so much going on I sort of took my eyes off the ball and did not really log this part of the journey - all I can remember was some amazing bays on the west coast of mainland Greece, no wind, not too taxing every day and just chilling out

The kids were so excited and listened intently to nannies instructions - but when the time came to get in the water it was with in trepidation (the first time).  After they realised that it was not cold water and it was safe jumping off the boat with their flotation suits on - they really went for it.  This holiday was not about the miles, or about the sailing which was lucky as there was no wind this week, so we just popped up to the next bay and just loved taking time slow and enjoying the kids and sharing moments with Liz and Martin.  The best day was when me and Martin went off with the kids in the dingy to have breakfast on the beach (which took 3 hours) but once the kids were in the water they were in heaven and you could not get them out.

It was v special

Wow what a trip - we had great weather sometimes a little bit too little wind, but we went to some great anchorages and a few town quays

We swam, partied, ate (thanks Marco) and generally relaxed.  Helen became a paddle board queen and we even squeezed an epic game of risk one night on anchor  Where did we go -well:

Sami to Skinou on Ithaca to

Vathy Town to

3 Beaches Ithaca to

Stavros to

Pine Beach Kefalonia to

Assos to 

Agostoli

I know that does not mean much to you but to us it was some great places to visit and see the whole of Kefalonia

Not too many pics or log entries, as for the first time this was real holiday time

Kasidhis to Voulagmeni Lagoon

Leaving just below Athens, the wind was with us all the way and we only anticipated to sail to just outside the Corinthian Canal, we made so much time up that we sailed straight through and out the other side.  The work that has been put into cutting out the canal by hand, made its magic still your thoughts, it was very special, out the other side to a very small anchorage with one anchor bouy so there was only us and the 100 local villagers to enjoy this tiny little Greek hamlet.

Galaxidi

A beautiful little town where we moored in the town quay as the weather was coming in for a couple of days.  A did it blow, but this amazing town was shared with Kirka, Sten and family where I had my first Slavki for 3euros.

NavPaxos

 A castle town and the town quay is actually part of the castle walls, steeped in history, we rafted up for the first time with SY Curious with Kirka and Sten and went for a very long hot stomp up the hill through the castle grounds to the top of the castle - stunning, worth all the heavy breathing to get to the top and of course back down again.

Mesolongio

Sailing under the RIO bridge out to the natural reserve and salt plains of Mesolongio, a strange fishing harbour with a graffiti surrounds, found us exploring the town, which was v run down, but had many beautiful old buildings

Kefalonia

After a night anchored along the way - and moving the anchor at about 12pm in the dark, we finally arrived at Kefalonia to moor outside the harbour as there was no room at the Inn.  All of a sudden were have been really aware of a lot more boats around I suppose it is August and height of the season.

Delos - Beautiful anchorage in Ormos Proteos.  around the corner the sacred Island of Delos so we were up early and on the site after anchoring outside - its a massive site

Delos to Syros - V high winds and rough seas - out guests Bonnie and Bertie coped v well

Syros to Gyros, the penitentiary Island 

Only abandoned in 1985 this deserted island was completely sanitised by the Greeks - but it was very spooky and there was a load of dead goats

Kea to mainland Greece to Athens

The weather calmed down and sailing was much more pleasant, with some lovely anchorages, good nights and great guests