38:34.1N 20:56.6E

 

29 Aug Long day. Check out Levkas marina for poss winter berth then good sail S to return to Kastos, an old favourite when we chartered Good News

Depart Preveza 1030

Arrive Kastos 1930 35nm

E f2/3, then NWf3

 

29 Aug Motor out thro Preveza entrance channel, up sails and wind builds to give good fetch 5nm down to Levkas canal. Anchor in pool above floating bridge.It is the only access to Levkas Island and opens on the hour to let boats thro. Chat to adjacent Brit and discover he winters at Messolongi, and recommends. We have already been in email contact, sowill bear in mind. Get thro at 1300, and ask for an hour “franchise” in smart looking Levkas marina. Find they have good rates for winter afloat, but little room on hard. Could fit in D`fly, for 3,000 euros, but sleeping on board not allowed. Decide no good for us. Try chandlery for 60m floating line. Not in stock. Head down rest of canal (dredged channel) sail with genoa for most. Get abuse from angry oncoming cat for sailing. All under control, a gentle 3knts keeping well to stbd so can’t see the problem Hoist main on exit at 1500 and good sail all the way to S leaving Islands of Kalmos and Kastos to port, around S tip of Kastos (needed motor to round as lost wind) and sail3nm NNE to Kastos. Busy. Find slot close inshore dropping kedge, lifting keel. Friendly Brits take our long line ashore from bows. Most have 2, to stop yawing. Get warning from adjacent Brit that we may have fouled his bow anchor as he dropped at big angle (upwind), so in “our” gap. Why don’t all drop straight out? Then no problems, and won’t look silly if wind direction changes. Swim with snorklenmask shows we are clean as have dropped further inshore (and he has actually been fouled by a boat from the other side!) Decide beeroclock and supper aboard after long day, so don’t inflate duck for pilgrimage to windmill restaurant, we last visited for Jane’s 50 (just over 7 years ago!). We’ll be back. Want to crack on and have a look at Messolongi tomorrow, well in to Gulf of Patras.