As the weather forecast for the next day promised strong NW winds we decided to leave our little haven and make for the NE corner of the island. This proved to be a mistake. The strong winds never appeared but when we entered the port of Fiskardho we discovered a very small harbour full of charter boats and not much room to manoeuvre. As part of the quays was blocked off so everybody was turning in circles trying to find somewhere to go. No harbour authorities but eventually someone shouted to us that the ferry was about to leave and that we could moor in his place. Then the fun started. C’est la Vie is heavy to manoeuvre particularly in a NE which was blowing us away from the quay. Our Bruce anchor would not take and although we got lines ashore we were constantly being blowing against the quay and to top it all there were underwater rocks jutting out quite far so we were worried for the rudder. Svein does not give up and he rowed out to place a second anchor. This took but as it was on a rope with just a small amount of chain we continued to hit the quay. Eventually after several hours and attempts to secure the boat we decided to leave the harbour and find a quiet anchorage.
We continued down the East coast of the island and after a short time found an empty bay and a deserted quay. Here there was no problem with the wind and we tied up alongside using chains to protect the ropes against chafing. A quiet bay with clear blue water and peace and quiet – until the next morning when the tourist boats started visiting the anchorage and explaining that at the bottom of the bay against the quay was a 30m wooden boat that had sunk!
We stayed here for another day and then left to make the crossing to Lefkas Island. After a couple of hours (motoring) as there was no wind we came to the harbour of Sivota. Here we found a mooring against the quay and this time all went well.

It was time to move and start our approach to Nidri. We left Argostoli late morning with the intention of sailing up the West coast of Cephalonia to anchor off a small place called Asso. Luck was with us and we had the right wind so we sailed up the coast and for the first time our sailing hours exceeded our engine hours for the day. However around 17h00 the wind dropped and as we were near a bay called Atheras we decided to anchor there for the night. Bliss after the busy harbour and the sightseers. No other boat, a few fishermen going about their business and the goats on the hills. We were able to take a leisurely swim in clear blue water.

Here we start the next stage of our adventure This is a busy tourist town (mainly English) with lots of bars and shops and pedestrians walking along the harbour front, so it is a little like being in a goldfish bowl as the boat is examined and commented on and even used as a background for the “folks back home” despite the fact that we are on board!!! The shops are well equipped and everything that is needed can be found to hand.

The Authorities are also very helpful. We went to register and a uniformed coast guard told us that as it was Friday and the tax office (where one of the payments has to be made) was closed until Monday he had not seen us and we should wait until we arrived in the next island to register. We wholly agreed and took ourselves off to explore the town and sort out the eternal problem of a phone card from yet another country and to get hold of internet to catch up on emails. We also treated ourselves to a Greek lunch for the costly sum of 18.00 euros for 2 including drinks!!!!!!!

We have now officially registered the boat in Greek waters and it took us just 3 hours and visiting 3 different offices.  

Yesterday afternoon we experienced an unexpected Easterly wind that gave us gusts of 35knots in the harbour so there was fun and games with anchor chains and extra springs to ensure that everybody was safely moored and not in any danger.

We shall stay here until we get our plans clear as we still have two weeks before we need to be in Nidri for the celebration.