Having read the lastest pilot book we knew we had little chance of finding a berth in Fiskardo, but we stuck our nose in just to have a wee look. It was bunged. We could’ve possibly squeezed in but to be honest both of us just looked at one another and said “Anchor”.
So that’s what we did in Palaiokaravo Cove, just south of Fiscardo. It took us 3 attempts with all our 55 metres of chain out. A peaceful night with a friendly French yacht for company.
We had been to Assos by car before and had said if we are ever lucky enough to sail here in our own boat we should visit it. It is a fairly exposed sail down the West coast of Kephalonia and the anchorage wouldn’t be to clever in a blow, but it was settled weather wasn’t it ?
Assos itself was beautiful, we dinghied ashore for dinner. We got talking to a German guy who’s dream was to do what we are doing so he picked our brains while his wife went to pack !
Now Assos bay is not the largest you will find but still plenty of space for everyone so goodness knows why this Ass from the Cruising Association had to anchor only half a boat in front of us when he swung . He dragged his anchor once and had to reset it , where? in the same place. We then had to listen to his soulmate cackling louder and louder until 02:00 in the morning, lucky white heather.
During the night the boat began rocking from side to side quite violently with the swell and I was worried about his anchor (and ours ) holding. This meant bad weather outside.
We left at 08:00 waiting until his boat had begun to swing out the way so we could retrieve our anchor. Outside the bay we were met with a 3 m swell, 30 knot winds and a lee shore. We had originallly intended to head down the west coast to Argostoli , but we binned that idea and headed back across towards the Megannissi channel and good old Vlikho. It was a bit fresh and with only a small reefed genoa we were doing 6+ knots. After 5 hours we were back at anchor in Vlikho . We had little provisions and I’ve noted in the log book . Louise will need some magic to rustle something up, but she did. And there was of course wine.
The next day we took the dinghy into Nidri for some shopping and I went fishing with my feet.
We have been struggling where to winter and we had heard Kalamatta in the Peloponese was an option. Its about another 150 miles or so south so we have decided to cruise down Kepahalonia , Zakynthos and the mainland of the Peloponese to have a look. If we dont fancy it ther should still be time to cross back to Sicily our other option.
Yesterday we had a fantastic sail all the way down passed Ithaca and as we rounded the cape at the South we we hit with 30 -35 knot winds for our hour and a half or so crossing to Ay Euphemia. It was fun getting the main down but eventually managed it and dropped anchor in the winday anchorage in Ay Euphemia, with some colourful gear on show !
Today we moved onto the harbour wall where we have electricity , water , supermarkets and laundry. Seems like 5 star !
Tonight was the 1st night since Preveza Louise has managed to use a hairdrier or straightners. I wondered who the woman was that emerged from the cabin.
We headed round the corner a bit from the main town for our meal and a bit of piece and quiet before going back to the boat to be seranaded by the usual Greek music from the harbourside tavernas till the wee small hours.
Ay Euphimia front and our anchorage of the previous night
Anyway that’s the blog upto date next stop possibly Zakynthos.
