We agreed to meet up with them at another point and so whilst Laerke went back to sort out their problem in Nidri we made our way down to Kastos island to wait for them. The best about today is that we have been able to sail for nearly 4 hours.
We had visited this island when we had been out on the charter boat with the family and really wanted to go back there. However by the time we arrived the small harbour was full of Italians so we anchored outside the harbour in clear water. After dinner we took the dinghy into the quay and wandered around the small hamlet.

This morning we left Nidri once again to make our way over to Meganisi where we were invited out to dinner to celebrate Neils’ birthday We anchored in Port Atheni at lunch time and then spent the afternoon making a birthday cake. Cakes are not something we make very often on board so we were taking a chance but it turned out to be edible and looked very good with its chocolate icing and silver decoration. We enjoyed a typical Greek meal in a local tavern overlooking the bay.
Unfortunately by the time we got back to the respective boats the flotilla members were having a disco night at one of the other restaurants (opposite the boat) so it was a little noisy. We only had to listen to the music until 1am so we were able to get a good night sleep in the end.
We decided not to spend a second night in this bay so made our way round to Abelike Bay where it was not too crowded and there was peace and quiet. We also took advantage of getting some washing done.
On the way round to the bay the calibration tests were carried out on “Laerke” and we then discovered that there was an additional problem so that they would have to return to Nidri to get it sorted out.

On Monday morning we left Vonitsa harbour to make our way to Nidri. Thistime we saw some dolphins but they were not very playful. Turtles were more rare although we did see some whilst in Vonitsa harbor but we were never quick enough to film them as they stayed on the surface for very long – their heads appeared only twice to take breath and then they were gone.
Once through the entrance to Preveza we were able to sail for half and hour and managed to make our way into the canal entrance in time for the opening of the bridge. Once in the queue we discovered that the bridge would not open for another hour so we dropped our anchor and waited patiently unlike some of the other nationalities also waiting to go through. Eventually we got through and we were in luck for once the wind was in the right direction so we were able to hoist all the sails and sail through the Lefkada canal and nearly down to Nidri. It was only on the last stretch that we had to start the engine. It was a very pleasant sail and nice to give them an airing. We moored on the Nielsen quay in the later afternoon as we needed electricity for Svein to carry out the installation work on “Laerke”.
We have now been back in Nidri for three nights. Not long after our arrival we witnessed a motor boat burning in the bay. I truly hope that we will never need the services of the fire brigade here as they took a very long time in coming. The boat burned for at least three hours and in the end sunk. We were plagued by the toxic fumes but it seemed more of an attraction to the locals and in the end the ferry boat and one of the tourist boats were spraying the burning vessel with water. What was the cause of the fire is still unknown.
The auto pilot is now installed on “Laerke” and we have also been able to change the windlass battery which also gave up on us and repair the shower pump that had been leaking.
We shall leave Nidri tomorrow morning for Meganisi and our journey further south.
We have now been travelling for 3 months of which 2 have been spent in the Ionian Sea. We have seen a great deal of interesting places and met many travelers over the course of this time. We are looking forward to the next few months where we shall see a new area of Greece and hopefully have many new adventures.

After a second undisturbed night we started on our way back with the intention of stopping in Vonitsa – the large town at the entrance to the Gulf. We anchored outside the harbour late morning and took the dinghy into town to explore. Again this is not a tourist town but has a very nice harbour and a lovely beach that we were able to swim off after we had explored the town. Lots of different shops and restaurants that cater for the locals and again a town that livens up in the evening when people seem to come from far and wide for a evening out strolling along the sea promenade.
Once the strong wind dropped in the evening we decided to move into the harbour and found a nice spot beside a Wharram catamaran. This was of interest to Svein as in his youth he had built a small one and started a bigger one that never got finished.
Vonitsa is dominated by the Venetian castle (as many other towns and ports in the area) and its history is closely linked to the power struggle The castle was built in the 13th century and was under the control of the different rulers (Angevins, Orsini, Tocci, Dukes of Leece and Knights of Rhodes) before coming under the Ottomans and the Ventians. It finally came into the hands of Ali Pasha of Ioannina before it was incorporated into the Greek state in 1829.
We decided to stay here for the weekend and on Sunday afternoon we were joined by “Laerke” who had come from Preveza. They had ordered a new auto pilot system that was waiting for them in Nidri.

Bright and early we left the quay in Preveza and wended our way into the Gulf of Amvrakia. This is a reputed natural reserve and we are hoping to see the dolphins and turtles as well as the other wild life that is abounding in this area. The first thing that is of consequence is the numerous fish farms dotted along the coast. We ignore the first town and decide to go into the end of the Gulf and then work our way back to Preveza. After a long morning we arrive at the bay of Sparto and realise that we have not seen another sailboat and even better we are all alone in the bay – Bliss. The first day we spend on the boat just winding down and swimming. However the next we decide to face civilization and go into the beach where there is a tavern. Unfortunately the food was not very good but in the later afternoon we took the dinghy and after mooring it in one of the small bays we followed the winding road to see if it led us to a town. After a very steep climb we arrived in a small village that had at least 4 taverns. We found a small supermarket but not much else. A pity that such a hard climb was not more rewarding except for a big thirst and a long way down again when we were ready. After a well deserved drink in one of the taverns when the locals could stop playing cards we wandered back the way we had come and were able to enjoy the view over the olive groves and the bay in general.