Nic and the All Stars
I'm in the company of stars! Paul - World Champion Ballroom Dancer; Colin - State Champion Gymnast and Bagpiper; Monica - Five time State Champion Basketball Player; and me? - second best cholesterol my doctor's ever seen (though he hasn't been practising long). Ah well, they comfort me by saying I still have potential.
Nísos Kefallínia (Cephalonia)
Órmos Argostoli 6.5nm, 1hr
Sunday September 9 - Monday 10
Sunday September 9 - Monday 10
Colin and I were greeted by a turtle as we anchored in Argostoli around 1130hrs, anticipating the arrival of Monica and Paul around 1300ish. Taking care of business we took rubbish in and went to the Port Authority thinking we'd check in with two today and out with four tomorrow, but this was lost in translation and when we mentioned our guests we were asked for their names, parents' names, and passport numbers, so we said we'd return when they arrived.
It was long past 1300ish when we thought Monica and Paul must have got stuck at the winery en route from the airport, but they had taken the circuitous route by bus and finally turned up behind the market. The turtles were there to greet them but they didn't seem as enamoured as I was, strange people. Colin took their passports back to the Port Authority and the nice man checked us out for the following day. Meanwhile I took our guests to the boat in the dinghy, which Paul took back in to pick up Colin.
We had lunch and discussed plans and watched a helicopter suction water from the bay to dump on a nearby fire. Later we toured the Italian Training Ship 'Nave Palinuro' docked in harbour then started provisioning. We ate dinner in town then saw our jet lagged travellers off to bed while Colin and I drank tea and ouzo.
Monday morning was glassed off and we headed into town on different missions, Colin to find a fish grill and other hardware paraphernalia, Paul to buy wine, and Monica and I to do the fresh market shopping. Successful on all fronts we returned to the boat, enjoying more turtle sightings on the way. After defrosting the fridge we took off for clearer waters.
Click images to enlarge
It was long past 1300ish when we thought Monica and Paul must have got stuck at the winery en route from the airport, but they had taken the circuitous route by bus and finally turned up behind the market. The turtles were there to greet them but they didn't seem as enamoured as I was, strange people. Colin took their passports back to the Port Authority and the nice man checked us out for the following day. Meanwhile I took our guests to the boat in the dinghy, which Paul took back in to pick up Colin.
We had lunch and discussed plans and watched a helicopter suction water from the bay to dump on a nearby fire. Later we toured the Italian Training Ship 'Nave Palinuro' docked in harbour then started provisioning. We ate dinner in town then saw our jet lagged travellers off to bed while Colin and I drank tea and ouzo.
Monday morning was glassed off and we headed into town on different missions, Colin to find a fish grill and other hardware paraphernalia, Paul to buy wine, and Monica and I to do the fresh market shopping. Successful on all fronts we returned to the boat, enjoying more turtle sightings on the way. After defrosting the fridge we took off for clearer waters.
Click images to enlarge
Fiskárdho 35.9nm, 5hrs 40min
Monday September 10 - Tuesday 11
Monday September 10 - Tuesday 11
Leaving Argostoli at 1020hrs we settled in for a long, swelly day of motoring up the west coast to Fiskárdho. We were relieved to get around the northern headland and moor up in the comfortable bay. As we attached our 'rat deterrent' bottles to the stern lines our boat neighbours said rats weren't a big problem in Fiskárdho, and I told them about Brad and Ruth's tale of having a rat on board for a month! They'd tried every kind of rat trap imaginable for three weeks then had to resort to poison.
Monica and I took a stroll into town and started a 'windows and doors' photo collection. Such a pretty town! As we returned to the boat around dusk the boys asked if we'd brought any rats with us. Ha ha. We had a cursory glance around the dinghy, not really thinking they were serious, but the next morning I was just asking Monica if it was she who'd been nibbling the bananas when we heard a suspicious scratching... RAT!!! We alerted the boys then left them to deal with it while we went for a hike. When we returned they were only just getting off the boat to go in search of rat bait. Slackers! We joined them for a walk through town and got rat poison (we weren't going to mess around with other tried and failed traps) and an esky to protect our dry food. The rat had already been into not just the bananas but the crackers in the front storage locker as well, and the snack cupboard in the galley. We don't think it came in with me and Monica, but that it ran up the stern line during the night and whilst doing the Canadian log roll on the rat deterrent water bottle it fell into the dinghy underneath and climbed aboard from there. Rat poo on the front of the dinghy serves as evidence.
Since that morning I've been singing UB40's "There's a Rat in my Kitchen".
Photos by Mon and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Monica and I took a stroll into town and started a 'windows and doors' photo collection. Such a pretty town! As we returned to the boat around dusk the boys asked if we'd brought any rats with us. Ha ha. We had a cursory glance around the dinghy, not really thinking they were serious, but the next morning I was just asking Monica if it was she who'd been nibbling the bananas when we heard a suspicious scratching... RAT!!! We alerted the boys then left them to deal with it while we went for a hike. When we returned they were only just getting off the boat to go in search of rat bait. Slackers! We joined them for a walk through town and got rat poison (we weren't going to mess around with other tried and failed traps) and an esky to protect our dry food. The rat had already been into not just the bananas but the crackers in the front storage locker as well, and the snack cupboard in the galley. We don't think it came in with me and Monica, but that it ran up the stern line during the night and whilst doing the Canadian log roll on the rat deterrent water bottle it fell into the dinghy underneath and climbed aboard from there. Rat poo on the front of the dinghy serves as evidence.
Since that morning I've been singing UB40's "There's a Rat in my Kitchen".
Photos by Mon and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Windows and Doors of Fiskádho
Nísos Itháki (Ithaca)
Órmos Pera Pigadhi 16.3nm, 2hrs 50min
Tuesday September 11 - Wednesday 12
Tuesday September 11 - Wednesday 12
The swell came in during the night and rolled us through to morning when Monica, in training for the Camino Trail, dragged me along to climb the mountain to Arethusa's Spring and beyond. We went to shore in the dinghy which proved highly amusing for the boys still on board as we zigzagged our way to the small beach, me rowing and Monica pointing the way behind me. There was still a good swell running so our landing was less than graceful and we got more than a little wet. It was a steep climb with spectacular views and, delight of delights, as we approached Arethusa's Spring we heard goats farting! Man they're loud. I'd never heard such a thing, even on the boat (I won't point fingers).
Meanwhile on the Lass the boys had been industrious making bread and building an outdoor lamp shade for the outdoor. Impressive stuff.
RAT REPORT Day 1: Excitement on board - rat poo found in galley and cockpit, and further evidence of nibbling - on a DVD cover no less!
Photos by Mon and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Meanwhile on the Lass the boys had been industrious making bread and building an outdoor lamp shade for the outdoor. Impressive stuff.
RAT REPORT Day 1: Excitement on board - rat poo found in galley and cockpit, and further evidence of nibbling - on a DVD cover no less!
Photos by Mon and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Port Kióni 9nm, 2hrs 10min
Wednesday September 12 - Friday 14
Wednesday September 12 - Friday 14
Back to one of our favourite places, Kióni. We moored up on the other side of the same set of stairs as last time and Mon and Paul explored the town while Colin and I, having seen the Fremantle yacht Sea Smith that friends Deb and Geoff are shares in, went over to meet the new crew on board, Don and Lyn and David and Lorraine, all from South Australia.
Thursday's plan was to walk to the top of the town early then go to the bakery for breakfast. I'd even preordered two vanilla creme pies for the occasion. However, we got a somewhat late start and cut straight to the bakery, deciding to walk later instead to catch the evening light.
We had dinner on the waterfront, tasting some traditional Greek delicacies such as tzatziki, taramasalata, and salad with pomegranate and manouri cheese.
RAT REPORT Day 2: Rat poo around the sink, evidence of nibbling on dessert wine cork, and Paul's herbal tea bag removed from his cup
RAT REPORT Day 3: Monica found the rat! Sitting in the bin, bold as you like, chomping down on some left over tasty morsel. She responded appropriately with lightening reflexes by screaming and slamming the door shut.
Photos by Mon, Paul and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Thursday's plan was to walk to the top of the town early then go to the bakery for breakfast. I'd even preordered two vanilla creme pies for the occasion. However, we got a somewhat late start and cut straight to the bakery, deciding to walk later instead to catch the evening light.
We had dinner on the waterfront, tasting some traditional Greek delicacies such as tzatziki, taramasalata, and salad with pomegranate and manouri cheese.
RAT REPORT Day 2: Rat poo around the sink, evidence of nibbling on dessert wine cork, and Paul's herbal tea bag removed from his cup
RAT REPORT Day 3: Monica found the rat! Sitting in the bin, bold as you like, chomping down on some left over tasty morsel. She responded appropriately with lightening reflexes by screaming and slamming the door shut.
Photos by Mon, Paul and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Órmos Sívota via One House Bay, Nisís Atoko 18.5nm, 5hrs 50min
Friday September 14 - Saturday 15
Friday September 14 - Saturday 15
As we anchored in Sivota we had the resident ducks come to say hi and scrounge some food. Adorable creatures, quacking softly, but Captain Meanie told me not to feed them. Monica and Paul went ashore to try and find a pharmacy as Paul's sinuses have been playing up since he got on board and are not getting any better, and they scouted out a great little bar for a pre-dinner drink. It was very funky with a huge stone grain mill inside. I introduced Monica to Aperol Spritz's and they did not disappoint. We ate on the waterfront at Stavros Taverna and I had the best truffle risotto I've ever tasted! They offered free showers for customers and the next day I was wishing I'd taken up the offer as my hair had reached an intolerable stage of skanky.
Lorraine from Sea Smith told us they'd seen pigs at One House Bay, fed by the fishermen and lounging about in the cool waters. This I had to see so we swung by on our way to Sívota. Unfortunately there were no pigs to be seen, but we did paddle board to shore to see the church and the one house.
Photos by Mon and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Lorraine from Sea Smith told us they'd seen pigs at One House Bay, fed by the fishermen and lounging about in the cool waters. This I had to see so we swung by on our way to Sívota. Unfortunately there were no pigs to be seen, but we did paddle board to shore to see the church and the one house.
Photos by Mon and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Rat Report Day 4
Nísos Lefkas
Lefkas Town 15.6nm, 3hrs 15min
Saturday September 15 - Sunday 16
Saturday September 15 - Sunday 16
We detoured from our original plans to stay the night in Lefkas. Paul needed a doctor as his sinus infection wasn't clearing up and we needed to find rat traps. Monica and Paul had an interesting experience at the hospital, quoting it as being straight out of the 1950s but with no equipment whatsoever. They were sent on to an over enthusiastic ENT specialist who used very piece of antiquated equipment she had to suction out Paul's passages. Success on that front at least as Colin and I came up short on our mission to buy rat traps, with all the marine or hardware shops closed until Monday, and were only able to find more glue ones. We did find fresh seafood though and Paul cooked up a sensational spaghetti marinara for dinner. We sat in the ambient light of the new lamp shade watching the world go by, and a very entertaining parking effort straight over the bollard that marks off the crosswalk.
We have all been gobsmacked by what a rat will get into. Other than the little batch of home made poison Colin whipped up (sugar, flour and baking soda) it got into the medicine bag and ate two types of cream, night and day cold tablets, aspirin, anti inflammatory cream, plus chewed down on my pumice stone, some wet wipes, and numerous boxes containing other lotions, lip balm and contact lenses. What on earth??? We figured it had an upset stomach after the poison but that's an excessive cure. Not even I mix my medications that much! It reinforced our mission to buy rat traps though, and whilst out taking photos in the morning light we lucked in and found an open marine store with wire traps. We bought them all plus a few other things, as boys in a marine shop are wont to do, including a heavy metal 'fouled anchor trip hook', aka 'The Finger of God', for picking up anchors that might be tangled over yours. 'It's a man's world' the assistant said as Monica and I rolled our eyes at the guys gleefully looking for more things to buy. He also said buy a cat. Best defence against rats. We finished the rat supply shopping with peanut paste and chocolate and back at the boat Colin and Paul laid the traps, then we took off for Meganisi.
Photos by Mon, Paul and Nic. Click images to enlarge
We have all been gobsmacked by what a rat will get into. Other than the little batch of home made poison Colin whipped up (sugar, flour and baking soda) it got into the medicine bag and ate two types of cream, night and day cold tablets, aspirin, anti inflammatory cream, plus chewed down on my pumice stone, some wet wipes, and numerous boxes containing other lotions, lip balm and contact lenses. What on earth??? We figured it had an upset stomach after the poison but that's an excessive cure. Not even I mix my medications that much! It reinforced our mission to buy rat traps though, and whilst out taking photos in the morning light we lucked in and found an open marine store with wire traps. We bought them all plus a few other things, as boys in a marine shop are wont to do, including a heavy metal 'fouled anchor trip hook', aka 'The Finger of God', for picking up anchors that might be tangled over yours. 'It's a man's world' the assistant said as Monica and I rolled our eyes at the guys gleefully looking for more things to buy. He also said buy a cat. Best defence against rats. We finished the rat supply shopping with peanut paste and chocolate and back at the boat Colin and Paul laid the traps, then we took off for Meganisi.
Photos by Mon, Paul and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Rat Report Day 5
Nísos Meganísi
Órmos Abelike 12nm, 2hrs 10min
Sunday September 16 - Tuesday 18
Sunday September 16 - Tuesday 18
We anchored in the same bay and same spot as last time in Órmos Abelike, with our own private swimming pool at the stern. Glorious! The restaurants looked busy, first stop for charter boats after changeover day we thought, so we cooked pork chops and roast veg and settled in for the night. Colin was somewhat apprehensive about stopping here as it's known as a rat haven but he attached the plastic bottles and new rat deterrent discs to the stern lines, then had us in hysterics as he demonstrated how ratty would fall off as he climbed over the disc onto the spinning bottle.
Joy of joys, in the wee small hours Colin (aka Rat Slayer) caught the pesky beast and was quoted as saying "And at 0230 Ratty Raticus departed this earth". He'd heard a trap slam and then had to finish off a rather woozy rat with a wooden spoon. Ratty was given an unceremonious funeral off the bow with a rock tied to him. I couldn't look at the poor deceased creature but Paul took a photo. Colin was just hoping we wouldn't bring him up with the anchor! Poor rat, but my word did it do some damage. We continued to find wreckage the next day as we cleaned every surface, cupboard, wardrobe, and piece of crockery and cutlery that it could have crawled over. Just bizarre and somewhat unbelievable what that rat got into - toothpaste, fleece lined boots, ear plugs, toilet bag contents, medications, soap, pumice stone, the list went on and on. We cleaned all day and rejoiced all night, and the next day, and the next day. It was such a relief not to have to worry about that little rodent any more. We hadn't realised how much stress he had created, especially worrying if he was going to chew through something crucial as he ran around amongst the wiring at night! At the lovely Mina's Taverna that night we toasted to being rat-free.
Tuesday morning we took a stroll over to the next village, Little Vathi, which Mon and Paul had checked out the previous day and loved. It was an adorable and very picturesque little town, with the delightful sight of a fishing boat returning and the crew feeding fresh fish to the local cats while we sat drinking freddo espressos. What more could you want?
Photos by Mon, Paul and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Joy of joys, in the wee small hours Colin (aka Rat Slayer) caught the pesky beast and was quoted as saying "And at 0230 Ratty Raticus departed this earth". He'd heard a trap slam and then had to finish off a rather woozy rat with a wooden spoon. Ratty was given an unceremonious funeral off the bow with a rock tied to him. I couldn't look at the poor deceased creature but Paul took a photo. Colin was just hoping we wouldn't bring him up with the anchor! Poor rat, but my word did it do some damage. We continued to find wreckage the next day as we cleaned every surface, cupboard, wardrobe, and piece of crockery and cutlery that it could have crawled over. Just bizarre and somewhat unbelievable what that rat got into - toothpaste, fleece lined boots, ear plugs, toilet bag contents, medications, soap, pumice stone, the list went on and on. We cleaned all day and rejoiced all night, and the next day, and the next day. It was such a relief not to have to worry about that little rodent any more. We hadn't realised how much stress he had created, especially worrying if he was going to chew through something crucial as he ran around amongst the wiring at night! At the lovely Mina's Taverna that night we toasted to being rat-free.
Tuesday morning we took a stroll over to the next village, Little Vathi, which Mon and Paul had checked out the previous day and loved. It was an adorable and very picturesque little town, with the delightful sight of a fishing boat returning and the crew feeding fresh fish to the local cats while we sat drinking freddo espressos. What more could you want?
Photos by Mon, Paul and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Rat Report Day 6
Rat Report Day 7