38:21.7N 21:25.5E

Thursday 22 May Early start to get thro Rion narrows and make some westerlies, to familiar Messolonghi

Depart Trizonia 0730

Arrive Messolonghi town quay 1630 38nm 9hrsM

Sunny, but cold air temp out in Gulf, hot ashore

Early start. Oily calm again. Call up Rion Traffic for permission to go thro bridge – this time they are “towers” not “pillars”, so three to port, one to starboard, at 1100. Adverse current – speed over ground drops from a comfy 4.7 to 3.2. VHF and txts to hail Bootlegger who are relieved to be at sea (first day out after wintering in Messolonghi) heading E. No afternoon breeze (would have been on the nose anyway) so don’t bother to hoist even main. Highlight of afternoon – attractive red dragonfly drops in mid gulf for a rest. Tie up on Messolonghi town quay. Brompton out for shopping and showers. All the sea front tavernas are now busy early evening onwards. Hot ashore; feels more like Greek summer. Visit familiar marina taverna for after supper beer. Old crowd have all set sail; new lot in.