From Corfu to Preveza, mainland Greece 16 September 2013
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16092013
38:57.39N 20:45.23E Corfu to Preveza Marina, Mainland Greece ( 70nm ) Fuel 600 litres. Water 1000 litres. Gas 1 bottle Crew: Frank and Jackie Filled up tank (374 liters at 1.56
Euro/liter, the least expensive fuel so far) at Gouvia
Marina 39:38.80N 19:51.31E and went to see the sail
maker to obtain samples for a new canopy. 15:00 h Departed Gouvia Marina and headed for anchorage south of Mourtos on mainland Greece, some 15 nm southeast of Corfu. Wind westerly 2, later 3 to 4 allowing for 7.5 kn just with genny and mizzen. 16:10 h A large Norwegian NCL cruise liner passes us. Anchored and ready to go ashore in bay
south of Mourtos Harbour at 19:00 h.
Landed the dinghy on a pretty beach overlooked by a
brand new hotel. Had a beer, appetizer and glass of
wine and got the password to their WiFi, the purpose
of our visit.
17092013 39:24.31N 20:14.005E 07:00 We raise our anchor from the beautiful clear water of this lovely bay. The very heavy dew on deck predicts a weather change and we know that the depression situated east of Sardinia and Sicily will soon be with us. Distance to Preveza 37 nm. We motor sail, the SE wind on the nose is very weak, but the swell from the SW very notable, an indication of strong winds SW of us. 09:30 on arriving off Parga we consider stopping off. A big cruise ship is anchored off the coast and we are tempted to take a quick glance at the fortress. We decide to press on as the swell from the SW does not make the journey very comfortable and poor weather is forecast. We pull out the genny on several occasions and end up getting a steady NW 3-4 to help the engine in this swell. Noon position: 39:02.48"N 20:36.59E 13:50 - Some 10 nm later we reach the entrance to the canal leading to Preveza. We follow the buoyed access and use genny and engine to reach the town of Preveza. 14:30 38:57.27.31N 20:51.30.91E
Preveza Tied up alongside town quay. We spend three nights here, enjoying for
a change, a typical Greek town that is not so focused
on tourism. We find a shoe
repair, have our curtains modified, find many fruit
and vegetable shops as well as a big supermarket, all
in walking distance of Bootlegger. The town
quay has numerous cafes with WiFi and we
achieve a connection from the boat, once the password
of the cafe across the quay is known. We are lucky. Most
sailors who stop here complain about the loud music.
As we are in the middle of the week and reaching the
end of September,
We say good-bye to Birgitta once more, who need to follow the America’s Cup with a stable WiFi connection. Thursday 19 September 2013 We leave Preveza at 14:00 and enter the Ambracian Gulf with its many fish farms and rather murky waters. In spite of the difference in temperature, J is very much reminded of her sail to Castro the capital of Chiloé Island. The surroundings are picturesque and we slalom around the shallow patches marked by buoys. A nice NW 3 pushes us along with genny and mizzen only. We enjoy sailing with the sound of the wind in the sails. Bootlegger's anchor is dropped behind the small island that is connected by a pedestrian bridge to the mainland east of Vonitsa. We are well protected and can see the white horses on the other side of the island with its chapel and pine forest. A cow herd is being led up a road east of
our anchorage. The sunset allows for a wonderful sun
downer in the cockpit. As the orange sky slowly turns
the island into a black silhouette, the lighting of
the Venitian fort above Vonitsa goes on and we enjoy
every minute at this lovely anchorage, sharing it's
views and full moon in the company of
four other yachts.
Friday 20 September 2013 We are expected in Preveza Marina who have reserved a berth for Bootlegger for the week. Anchor up at 07:00 and we prepare breakfast as we sail back to Preveza under engine. J manoeuvres Bootlegger astern to berth alongside pontoon No 3 in Preveza Marina at 14:00. 38:57.39N 20:45.23E, where we will stay the next few days to undertake some works on the boat. Michael and Olga of Preveza Marina give us a warm welcome. We anticipate heading south on Thursday next week.
Saturday 21 September 2013 J has the stitches in her finger removed at Preveza hospital. The surgeon mutters that the one who did the stitches 12 days ago must have been angry as they were so tight that most of the knots were covered by the healed scar. J will certainly not forget the screaming and kicking of the wall surgeon in Corfu hospital. As she walks back from the hospital,
she stops by a small balcony where a woman in black
had shown her the directions to the hospital
earlier. J stops and shows her hand without bandage.
The lady invites her to have a Greek coffee. They
cannot chat much due to the language barrier, but J
shows her lovely host some pictures she has on her
phone and in turn the woman shows her the pictures
of her family as well as her small apartment. A nice
encounter and warm welcome!
An early morning bus trip to Lefkas where we hope to find the carpet we have been looking for to replace the one that was originally on the boat.
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