38:42.1N 20:42.8E

 

4 October – Motor down thro Levkas Canal, and into headwind, then frees for shifty fetch into enclosed bay off Vlikho, and back to anchor in Tranquil Bay

Depart Levkas Marina 1030

Arrive Tranquil Bay 1430 16nm

More clouds about. f2/3 headwind funnelling up narrows, but frees to give enough E in it to just about fetch down to Nidri

 

Get fresh bread, blogs off whilst morning coffee ashore (bat still not working – USB malfunction),stow Brompton and motor down Levkas Canal. Just enough cool headwind to require Tshirt dress code. Motor sail from 1130; just sails from 1245 as wind goes from SSE to SE, ESE. Can’t lay Nidri to start, so a couple of short tacks out on stbd. Very shifty. Much trimming of sails. Passing along E coast of mountainous Nisos Levkas. Spot Nisos charters base – no boats in today. Many boats tied up side by side afloat and propped up at yards ashore in Nidri and on W side of totally enclose bay Ormos Vlikho. Most yards haul out with winch pulling wood sledge on timber slats/roller. Have to motor for a few mins thro the 100yard wide entrance into Ormos Vlikho. Sail out and return to Tranquil Bay ( a mile or so back) to anchor in 26ft. Usually go shallower as only 40m chain (but plenty of just in case warp thereafter), but can’t do so here as wrecks and shoals to E and S, and need to put out sternline in close to N. 44 other boats in bay. Some look moored well in for winter with lines ashore. Dozy afternoon. Jane gets frustrated by a medium su doku. Remove Tshirt.  Light wind in here Motor ashore in duck. Nidri High St runs in one block and parallel to prom. High St is not attractive! but functional. Long run of shops, and more shops. Can’t walk pavement as obstructed by goods on display. Some interesting chandleries. Prom is a delight. Stop at Piperi taverna for a beer and wifi forecast. Some wet days ahead. Loads of wind coming up from S but seems to be block on it getting N of Gulf of Patras. The browns and yellows just fall off, like the contours of a steep high mountain. Will need to check regularly as want to keep clear of 6s/and 7s as we head for Mesolongi. In front of us wind has died to dead flat calm for night.  Eat on board, down below. Getting v cool. Will need to hunt for HWB if this continues. No swell. No wash from ferries. Feels odd not to be rolling or pitching at all Aptly named bay.