A visit to the supermarkets was in order as well as a trip to the Singer sewing machine shop to stock up on a good supply of needles for thick material. Whilst there we took the opportunity of visiting the old quarter of Kalamata with its quaint streets. It was quiet as it comes alive at night.

With everything put away we were ready to leave and decided to take a gentle trip to the other side of the bay to test things out. We motored across to have lunch with Annette and Jean Marie. We anchored off the beach and went ashore where we were treated to produce fresh from their garden. After lunch we relaxed and took a well earned swim. We left them so that they could watch the football whilst we went back to the boat and enjoyed the sunset.

The next morning on a calm sea we motored off heading for the tip. All was well until we reached the swell brought about by the strong West wind that had blown up. Suddenly the engine died and again there was a fuel starvation. Svein managed to rig up the auxiliary system again and we limped into Gerolimin. We anchored with difficulty in very strong winds and kept an anchor watch all night even having to re-anchor 3 times. We left there in the morning before the wind got up and rounded the tip (Agios Tianaron) and came into calmer waters.

We headed for Gytheion where we eventually managed to get a berth. There is no marina or harbour and the little there is is taken up with fishing boats and a hugh construction project for a quay for cruise ships. We contacted the mechanic from Kalamata and he came out the next day to see what he could do. Unfortunate to say but the BP station refused to admit that they had given us bad fuel so a sample will be going back to them with the mechanic. He worked for over 2 hours on the engine and installed a new fuel pump and also altered the feeding system from the tank. A really good team who have done all they could to help us and everything a a very reasonable cost. All would appear to be well again but only time will tell.

As well as repairing the engine Svein has also put the time to good use by reinstalling the fuel pump in the engine room, altering the ventilator fan in the engine room to blow in cold air instead of extracting hot and by making a seat for the bowspit

We have explored the town and are now ready to move on. Tomorrow we shall go to Elafonisos to wait for the right wind for rounding the 3rd tip and heading for Monemvasia.

We have experienced really high temperatures here and the first day the wind was blowing hot so there was no relief. We are anxious to get out on the water to be able to cool down. We are very happy with the sea water pump for the anchor which also serves as a shower when at sea so that we can cool down!!

Not sure where the next blog will come from but hopefully from somewhere in the Cyclades.