We have left Mesolonghi and started our visit of the Gulf of Corinth. We started out in bright sunshine and no wind and made our way towards the bridge spanning the entrance. After a couple of hours we picked up the current and passed under the bridge at a speed of 8,5 knots. After the bridge the wind blew up from the west and stayed with us until we reached the island of Trizonia. As usual it stayed with us until after we had moored but fortunately our friends on “Jespan” had arrived before us and were on hand to help as well as an Italian couple. Once safely to quay we set off to explore the island and made our way to the square where the taverns were to be found. This was also where we found a small supermarket and the taxi boat over to Hania on the mainland (10 minutes away). The atmosphere is friendly and the surroundings spectacular.

We have been spectators of a local wedding and crossed to the mainland to explore Hania although there was not much to see there. Since our arrival we have experienced strong East winds so have stayed tucked up in the harbour waiting for a change so that we can continue our exploration of the Gulf.

Galaxidhi

After our few days on the island of Trizonia we have continued our exploration of the Gulf of Corinth and have made our way to Galaxidhi, a delightful town that lies on the North coast of the Gulf near Itea. We were welcomed by the harbour personnel who helped us to moor. We also met up with “Jespan” who had left Mesolonghi at the same time and had also visited Trizonia. We felt that an evening out was in order so explored the town until we found a restaurant and had a typical Greek meal – Kleftiko.

The next day, under a warm sunshine, we went exploring the town looking for the different shops and generally getting a feel of the place.  Local produce was on sale in small shops in the streets and we managed to find everything we needed. A walk around the head on which the town is built brought us back to the harbour. We were unlucky with the weather the next day when it rained but were able to wander round the town again in the evening. Sunday brought strong winds so our depature was delayed but we were able to enjoy a long walk out to the entrance to the bay leading into Galaxidhi. Here we found an international statue dedicated to the wives of seafarers.

Monday dawned and bright and early we said goodbye to “Jespan” who was continuing on to the Corinth canal whilst we were heading back to Mesolonghi to start the work on the boat.

A fantastic day’s sailing where we reached 8.5 knots with only the genoa!!!! The right wind from the right direction and after nine hours we were moored again in Mesolonghi harbour where we will stay for the winter.  This was the perfect day to close our sailing for this year.

We like Mesolonghi! We are still here and have been doing some work on the boat and enjoying the town and its attractions.

As far as repairs go: The water tank that sprung a leak has been fixed, the engine has had an oil change, the toiler pump has been changed, the floor has been varnished and both the bicycles have been repaired (essential as the distance into town is a couple of kilometers). The ropes have also been washed, the stays all controlled and adjusted, the genoa repaired and the step behind the steering wheel has also been repaired. Svein has also been called upon to exercise some of his many skills amongst the boats coming here to winter or just passing through.

We have got to know the town a lot better and with the help of some locals have found a very good cheese shop, a laundry (again essential for washing bedding and towels) and some good eating places. We have also tried the local swimming areas and had a mud bath. The mud stank like rotten eggs but one became accustomed after a short time although whether it does any good waits to be seen.

We also were invited to the official opening of the marina complete with religious blessing and a party to follow.

It is very easy to get into a rhythm here as the weather is still very hot (over 30°) and quite humid but the harbour is free (so far) and we have electricity and water. There are a number of boats coming ashore for the winter and also boats coming through each day using the harbour as a stop before going either East or West. We have seen a variety of nationalities (French, Italian,German,English, and Greek) but everyone is very friendly and there is a good atmosphere.

The harbour is still being built up and has not reached its full capacity yet but as this is Greece things are going slowly. Since we have been here we have seen some showers and toilets opened, the water brought to some of the quays but we are still waiting for the electricity to come to the quays although the state electricity company surprised us all by installing 3 pylons, a transformer and connected them all up in just 2 days. It looks as though the next stage is for the harbour to bring it to the quays.

We had some excitement when a firefighting helicopter (looking like a wasp) scooped up water from the canal in order to fight a fire up in the hills. Later that night the fire engine came to the outer perimeter of the harbour as a fire had been started in the bushes but fortunately it was quicky under control and there was no danger to the harbour installation or the boats.

It is our intention now to visit the Corinthian Gulf before coming back here in October to start work on the deck.