Lefkas
Southern End of Lefkas Canal, near Ligia 9nm, 2hrs
Tuesday September 18 - Wednesday 19
Tuesday September 18 - Wednesday 19
My left contact lens had been irritating me all day and when I took it out I saw why. There was a chunk out of the edge. A rat tooth sized chunk! I thought I'd checked well enough for puncture marks in the capsule, having seen the bite marks on the cardboard box, but perhaps I didn't. Ratty Raticus may be gone but his legacy lingers on! We keep marvelling at how much damage one rat can do, how it can sniff out moisture and 'food' (if you call toothpaste and anti-inflammatory cream food), even sealed, and how wonderful it is not to have to worry about him anymore!
We anchored near Ligia for the night, ready for our long trip to Paxos the next day.
Photos by Mon, Paul and Nic. Click images to enlarge
We anchored near Ligia for the night, ready for our long trip to Paxos the next day.
Photos by Mon, Paul and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Nisís Paxoí
Port Gaios via Órmos Voutoumi, Nísos Andípaxoi 39nm, 8hrs (with stop for lunch)
Wednesday September 19 - Thursday 20
Wednesday September 19 - Thursday 20
We departed early for Paxos, making sure we got the timing right for passing through the Lefkas Canal when the bridge was open. Colin learned that the bridge is actually a ferry with a road on it!
Another day, another broken toe. Yes, the salt water foot pump again. Always when it's swelly and I'm lurching around downstairs. Only bruised this time though thankfully. Not to be outdone, Monica jammed one of the harmless wasps between her hand and water bottle whilst stopped at Órmos Voutoumi and got a serious sting. Not so harmless after all! Her hand swelled up like a balloon and was painful and itchy, but we still made her finish preparing lunch. The best treatment we had on board was antiseptic cream and some tablets in the first aid kit for hives and hayfever that had expired two years ago. Poor love had to tough it out until we could get to the pharmacy in Gaios which of course was closed for siesta until 1930hrs. We stopped for dinner after she got new creams and tablets.
(Okay, I helped finish preparing lunch)
Photos by Mon, Paul and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Another day, another broken toe. Yes, the salt water foot pump again. Always when it's swelly and I'm lurching around downstairs. Only bruised this time though thankfully. Not to be outdone, Monica jammed one of the harmless wasps between her hand and water bottle whilst stopped at Órmos Voutoumi and got a serious sting. Not so harmless after all! Her hand swelled up like a balloon and was painful and itchy, but we still made her finish preparing lunch. The best treatment we had on board was antiseptic cream and some tablets in the first aid kit for hives and hayfever that had expired two years ago. Poor love had to tough it out until we could get to the pharmacy in Gaios which of course was closed for siesta until 1930hrs. We stopped for dinner after she got new creams and tablets.
(Okay, I helped finish preparing lunch)
Photos by Mon, Paul and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Órmos Lákka via Blue Cave and Órmos Erimítis 12nm, 4hrs 50min (including stops)
Thursday September 20 - Friday 21
Thursday September 20 - Friday 21
Happy Birthday to Paul, and what better way to start it than having the Blue Cave all to ourselves! Follow this up with being the only boat in the magnificent bay just north of there, and fresh homemade baklava, and you’ve got the makings of a very special day. Monica and I walked the many steps to the top of the bay where we had fantastic views of the clear blue sparkling waters below. We struggled to lift the dinghy up the beach with the motor attached and a nice man came down the beach to help us. We didn’t speak his language but we made sure he knew how grateful we were. There was some luxurious accommodation up the top available for rent. What a magnificent place to spend a holiday!
Photos by Mon, Paul and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Photos by Mon, Paul and Nic. Click images to enlarge
To top off the day we anchored in the gorgeous turquoise of Órmos Lákka and had a superb dinner on the waterfront. Mon and Paul had explored the town earlier in the day and booked the restaurant, and took some great photos of the colourful town buildings while they were at it.
Photos by Mon, Paul and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Photos by Mon, Paul and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Nísos Kérkira (Corfu Island)
Órmos Garítsas 12nm, 4hrs 50min (including stops)
Friday September 21 – Saturday 22
Friday September 21 – Saturday 22
Alas, our time in Greece was coming to an end. We returned to Órmos Garítsas where Colin, Monica and I went to shore and Paul stayed on the boat to watch the AFL football preliminary final. Monica got to experience the quirky Greek check-out procedure, going from the Port Authority to Passport Control/Customs 500m away, then back to the Port Authority with stamped passports, then back to Passport Control/Customs to hand in our transit log. And next year we get to do that all over again! As this process took a while we didn’t have time to return to the boat before Monica had to meet her Air BnB host, but we did have time for Freddo Espressos. I’m gonna miss those, I’ve become rather fond of them.
Mon and Paul took their luggage to their new digs later in the afternoon and returned in the dinghy that evening. I’d heard the rooftop bar in the Cavalieri Hotel was pretty special so Mon and I climbed the six flights of stairs to it while the boys took the lift. We beat them up there then tried to look like we weren’t gasping for breath when they arrived, and we would have got away with it if the barman hadn't asked could he help us and I had to respond in a breathless voice. We were settled into a corner table and given menus but after a while we looked at each other, thinking the same thing at the same time – how long do we wait to get served before we walk? Once said out loud that was it, we walked. As we passed our waiter on the way out he asked “You’re leaving? Why?” and in my sweetest voice I said “Because we wanted a drink”. Besides, it was a nice view but it had no atmosphere. Instead we found the place Mon and Paul’s Air BnB host had recommended, Marina’s Taverna, tucked away in a back street with a delightful Greek woman serving us delicious meals and local wine. A perfect end to a wonderful holiday with Monica and Paul. Thank you for keeping us in fine wines, gourmet meals, and of course fabulous and fun company. We will miss you.
Photos by Mon, Paul and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Mon and Paul took their luggage to their new digs later in the afternoon and returned in the dinghy that evening. I’d heard the rooftop bar in the Cavalieri Hotel was pretty special so Mon and I climbed the six flights of stairs to it while the boys took the lift. We beat them up there then tried to look like we weren’t gasping for breath when they arrived, and we would have got away with it if the barman hadn't asked could he help us and I had to respond in a breathless voice. We were settled into a corner table and given menus but after a while we looked at each other, thinking the same thing at the same time – how long do we wait to get served before we walk? Once said out loud that was it, we walked. As we passed our waiter on the way out he asked “You’re leaving? Why?” and in my sweetest voice I said “Because we wanted a drink”. Besides, it was a nice view but it had no atmosphere. Instead we found the place Mon and Paul’s Air BnB host had recommended, Marina’s Taverna, tucked away in a back street with a delightful Greek woman serving us delicious meals and local wine. A perfect end to a wonderful holiday with Monica and Paul. Thank you for keeping us in fine wines, gourmet meals, and of course fabulous and fun company. We will miss you.
Photos by Mon, Paul and Nic. Click images to enlarge