After relaxing days in the Gulf we returned to Preveza
anchored off Cleopatra Marina to collect a small water pump service kit we had
ordered. There was busy action
everywhere but Thomas warned us that today (Monday) is a public holiday and
Orthodox Feast day, and that Levkas town in particular would be really busy. We
moved back across the water to anchor near to the Margarona Boatyard and there
was indeed a holiday. The office was closed and we could not have the keys to
the car to go shopping for provisions. With three months afloat one day is not
important so we returned next day to stock up with fresh fruit and vegetables, Greek
yogurt and petrol for the outboard.
Finally on Wednesday we left Preveza and it’s facilities and
passed out of the long channel to the open sea, noticing that the water was
ebbing past the marker buoys and helping us on our way.
A little further south is the entrance to the Levkas Canal,
and shallow wetlands which separate the island of Levkas (Levkada) from the
mainland. We passed through the open floating bridge (opens once an hour) and
motored to the south end where we anchored in shallow water for a lunch and
swim stop before continuing south under sail for a new (to us) anchorage, Vahti
Vali for the night on the mainland side.
Four days in the large enclosed bay of Vlihko, Levkas,
allowed us to relax, top up with water and inflate the stand-up paddle board
for the first time. What a pleasure to use it.
I was also reading which I don’t usually find time for….
Homer – Iliad to catch up on Greek history.
It felt like time to move on so we went over to Port Atheni
on Meganissi using some wind to sail. We had been there last year and were
surprised how many more boats were in there this time. Night brought constant
NE wind with swell and was uncomfortable.
We motored west to the Levkas – Meganissi channel and
anchored to swim
on the Meganissi side before continuing under power to Sivota,
Levkas.
Without prior booking (recommended) we came to the wall in
front of Ionion Taverna where Vassilli helped us to secure using their mooring
lines.
Water and electricity and mooring are free for taverna guests so we took
dinner there for two nights whilst the batteries were slowly charging.
Our new solar panels are on order so we take every
possibility to maintain the fridge without adequate input.
The wind was good to cross the “gap” in the outer islands to
Cephalonia to the popular town of Fiskado, unaffected by the 1953 earthquake,
has charm and the “Chelsea set” and high
prices.
We anchored with lines ashore in Foki Bay just to the south. Foki
translates to seal and this coast is a last have of the Mediterranean Monk Seal.
We were lucky to see one later off the south coast of Ithaka, whiskers and full
face.
The lovely Polis Bay
on Ithaka’s west coast gave us a good
night before crossing that channel again for a brief meeting with Pit on the
Wharram Pahi 63 LARGYALO.
We motored south along that Channel coast to see some sweet
anchorages before passing the south of Ithaka and revisiting a favourite spot
from last summer. No clothes needed in those crystal clear waters.
It was a plan this year to find new anchorages and on this
whole three week trip we anchored in more new places than repeat ones.
Vahti Town provided self-service laundry with wi-fi at the
best price we have found, also a chance to buy some fresh produce. With strong
afternoon wind gusting into that shall anchorage we chose to come out and
anchored in a nearby bay almost in a pine tree, to which we tied a shore line.
One turtle showed himself next day, not an uncommon sight around
here, but always welcome.
We took the afternoon wind, genoa only, to Kastos island and
decided to revisit Astakos town on the mainland and use the free electricity
and water at the quay, topping up the batteries again. Another water melon was
cut up and put to the fridge. We almost live off them in the summer heat.
Ian and Lorraine Cuthbertson invited us for a drink on their
Mahe 36 catamaran and we spoke of people we had both know in multihull sailing
in past years.
Next was a delightful swim stop on the NE side of
mountainous Kalamos Island, and ooohhh.. tourist boats and small rental motor
boats reminding us of the busier places.
We were heading back to Preveza for the solar panel, and
replacement back card so planned to make a few more miles towards the north
west but found once out of the lee of Kalamos the stron afternoon wind pressing
hard in a not favourable direction so sailed across to the mainland where a few
yachts were anchored, Mitika.
The land and fishing port provided some shelter but swell came
from different directions as the wind changed or motor boats rush past a little
distance away.
Next morning we anchored for a swim stop further north, then
sailed to the south end of Levkas channel where we spent a lovely evening
before
passing through the canal next morning, on to Preveza and collecting the
package and mail.
This little adventure took us three weeks and not so many
miles, but to some beautiful places. We had used just 36 litres of petrol, some
just to keep the fridge working. To preserve battery power for the fridge we
used almost no lights nor navigation equipment and the fridge stayed cool (off
at night).
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