The family has left and before setting out on the next stage of the trip we decided to visit the island of Meganisi. Not too far from Lefkada but a world of difference. We left on a Sunday morning just at the harbour authorities in Nidri were turfing out the boats to make way for the big cabin cruisers so our decision to leave was judicious. We motored past Scorpios and headed for Meganisi to explore the inlets on the North East coast accompanied by “Laerke”. We reached our desitination quickly and started to look for a suitable anchorage. We first tried a bay at the head of Abelike bay but did not feel happy with it although there were several boats there that looked as though they had been there for a number of years!
Niels and Svein decided to explore the bay in more detail and left in the dinghy. They returned very quickly having found a much deeper bay further in with few boats so we weighed anchor and headed off to find our ideal spot. After a couple of attempts (the bottom being shell and weed) we were anchored with a line ashore (kindly assisted by the Dutch charter fleet team) and were able to enjoy a swim in the crystal clear water. The bay also boasted two taverns that would be interesting to explore later on. True to tradition Svein wandered off to explore and returned to inform us that a flotilla would be in the bay that night! They duly arrived but were much disciplined and did not disturb the other boats in the bay. It was wonderful to be able to enjoy peace and quiet and to relax after the busy weeks past.
Studying the map of the island we discovered that we were not very far from Vathi the main town on the island so early one morning we took the dinghy ashore and investigated. After a short climb up the hill, a brief walk along the road and then down some convenient steps we arrived in the town 15 minutes later. A sleepy place complete with the usual town quay, taverns and two shops as well as a bakery. The biggest surprise was finding the unfinished harbour that was at the entrance to the bay. Apparently it had been started over two years ago but was still not finished although it as possible to moor the electricity and water facilities were not working. In true Greek style no one knows when it will be up and running. Anyway it is a place where charter boats can practice their stern to berthing procedures as long as they do not pick up any of the old anchors left in the bay!!
There were many nationalities using the bay for different lengths of time and the taverns certainly did good business as well as providing laundry facilities, water and a book swapping service (a god send).
After nearly a week here we felt read to move on again and start our way up to Corfu to meet Bente and Tove from Sandefjord. We left late morning and after a short 2 hour trip we moored again on Lefkada town quay.