Farewell Kalamata – Hello Nicolas – Elafonisos – Monemvassia

Whilst I was in Scotland Gordon had been “On holiday”. He hired a bike, well bought a bike then would sell it back, cost him 30 Euros for 6 weeks or so.

 

The rented bike & Miki holding Holly’s Kittens

He also did his rounds for dinner on Bob & Andrea’s boat, Penny & Sandy’s boat and tried out Paul’s new BBQ. He didn’t starve.

Back home Iain helped me power hose the decking on the house before we went for lunch up town in Glasgow.

Harry, Diane & I went to Largs and I had a day out with the girls & Billy & Jayne

 

When I returned to Kalamata there were a round of final farewells with a lovely night on Claudio and Connies boat where we were treated to delicious Italian meats, cheeses and wine. Such a nice change from the Greek food and wine.

We were also treated to dinner and drinks on Penny and Sandy’s boat. Poor souls, they can’t get going till Sandy gets test results from the hospital so they don’t know when they’ll get away. Penny also gave me one of her lovely necklaces she makes, I can’t remember what it’s called but it all done with tiny beads and is very intricate work, a really nice gift.

Next on the list before leaving was waiting for Nicolas to arrive. He had given us gas last year and one of his diesel jerry cans which we were to return to him in Siracuse….however, as you know, we didn’t get there. He is coming up to Kalamata to drop off his cousin Olivier who has been out for a holiday & to check out Kalamata for the winter, so we can return them then.

We had a nice night and were treated to dinner again on Nicolas’s boat this time we had Confit Duck…yummy!

Having said all our goodbyes we left with very heavy hearts after putting wee Tiger off the boat and feeding him one last time. It broke our hearts.

Camira and Syeni left on 10 May for the first sail of the season to Porto Kaio where we anchored for the night. Next morning we left for Frangos Bay on Elafonisos. We are having a few problems with starting the engine, Gordon thinks it loose wiring in the loom.

We had a visitor along for a wee rest.

We had our first swim of the season in Frangos Bay, the water is crystal clear if not still a tad chilly, but it’s so beautiful here you just can’t resist it. Nicolas came over for dinner and we made plans to depart next morning to round Cape Malea for Monemvassia. I did mention that my weather report was showing somewhat stronger winds than Nicolas’ but we decided to go next morning anyway.

   

Yep! mine was correct. As we headed to Cape Malea we had a good sail in about 15-20 knots, however, as we neared the Cape we were hit with stronger winds and gusts of 40 knots. So much so that Nicolas’ second foresail ripped at the clew as he was hit by a gust. We could see something was going on as he was in fromt of us but too far to offer any help. However, he got things under control and we all reached Monemvasia in one piece, well… that is except the foresail.

When we arrived in Monemvasia who was moored up but Roberto and Michaela from Kalamata. We had a lovely few days here visiting the old Citadel for dinner

    

and having a wee night on Camira with Roberto, Michaela and of course Kino their cat.

There was another boat, an Oyster 56 from Kalamata. We didn’t actually get to speak with the people on this boat in Kalamata but we got chatting to them here in Monemvasia. He was the Royal Apothecary before retiring, it’s quite amazing the different people you meet on this journey, “Mi Lud”

If you look carefully in the 1st picture from Gordon up the mast you can see the turtle that lives in the bay.

Monenvasia Birth Control

I’ve just run through these first few places as we’ve been to them all before just at the end of last season so don’t want to be repeating myself too much.