38:21.6N 21:250E

 

9 October Raining, so might as well get going early. Decide not to anchor out for night and make it all the way to Messolonghi Marina, where booked in ashore for winter

Depart Kastos 0745

Arrive Messolonghi 1720 42nm

Grey and grey – light rain first thing, and lighter rain as arrive Messolonghi. Cloudy but dry inbetween. ESEf3 then between f1&5!

 

Hear sound of rain on deck/hatch before dawn. No point in hanging about so both get togged up to lift kedge. Need several presses of start button to get starter motor to fire. Had intermittant issue for a month or so now, but has always fired on second press. Will get engineer to look at in  Messolonghi.First time leggings have been out since early June. Hoist main Jane heads below. Tight fetch to get to windward of tiny Nisos Preso.  4/5knts.  0900ish wind strengthens so stick in two reefs  and roll genny a bit. Still raining but stops soon.Wind frees too so ease sheets and can still head up towards Nisos Petalas. 1045 wind dies to f2 so motor sail. Decide making good progress and no point anchoring for night in good bay behind Petalas as grey skys and ominous black clouds to S. Also low on provisions. No tomatoes, fruit, bikis or chocky left. Many fishfarms on islands to stbd and inshore too Looking N see colourful cranes of what looks like container port, in middle of nowhere, without shipping. Roll in genny to motorsail dead into wind funnelling through channel to N and E of rugged mountainous Nisos Oxia which has jagged ridge running down spine. Shallows at mouth of Potamos Akhelos (River Achelos – the longest in Greece) extend much further than chartplotter says, or its positioning is way out. Nasty short seas (and short period of f5) as head S out into Gulf of Patras, and then E towards Messolonghi, so need engine power to keep up speed and pinch a bit and keep clear of sallows on N of Gulf. Get overtaken by racy 32fter with some of the kids onboard that came in to Kastos last night. Bit bumpy and has been frisky in Gulf so no sign of kids on deck – must be down below.They’re heading for Messolonghi too. Uneventful motorsail E for last couple of hours. Skip is damp and cold, whilst Jane below. Voyage ending similar to the canals at beginning. Goes dead calm with spots of rain as arrive Messolonghi fairway buoys 1645 for long (2nm) straight passage up dredged channel to Messolonghi port and marina.Brighter ahead, dark clouds behind. How appropriate. Some sadness after great adventure. That’s it for 2013. Proud of boat and crew. Friendly man to show us berth and help with lines. Stop engine, till spring She's done well too. Quite a few boats already in cradles ashore. Forecast says sun and heat return at weekend – needed to dry sails and clothes for winter. Get lifted out in 5 days time, fly home soon after. Have excellent grub at marina taverna. Food is brought to order from their restaurant in town. If needed they will provide car from marina to restaurant and back foc to eat there. Tired after long day.