Khalkis to Karavos
Gillyb
Mon 22 Aug 2011 12:15
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Position: 38:23.5N
24:02.8E
Hello from Karavos.
We are staying here while a meltemi blows itself
out. We decided that as we had the forecast of the meltemi we would
get through the bridge while it was calm. We went south between the
island of Evia and the mainland as before and had a lunch stop and swim at
Limni. We couldn't stay there because it was full so after lunch we
continued down to a bay just north of Khalkis. (see pic of nice calm
sunset). The next day we went round to Khalkis town and rafted up on
the wall in front of all the tavernas and hotels and in sight of the
bridge. This is the bridge which slides back under the road and only
opens at night and not at the weekend. You may remember the
discription of our passage through it on the way up. This time it
was easier and we were prepared for the antics of the port control and had the
right money at the right time and sat and awaited the opening chatting to the
people we were rafted up with. (Israelies on the inside and a german
couple we'd met before on the outside). Because it was just past
springs (full moon tides) we were let through the bridge at 11 pm.
This time also there were only a few of us and it was very orderly!
On the other side we went into the yacht harbour as
before and in the pitch dark reversed stern to on a pontoon with
lazy-line! Not bad for two old-uns!! Next day we went back
shopping in Khalkis town - it was really very hot but Graham needed a haircut
and found an excellent barber/hairdresser and had his hair washed, then cut,
then washed again! then blow dried plus lots of pampering from two ladies.
It cost him 20 Euros!! Pic no.3 is of a caique with the lights on it
- sometimes called a light boat or a gi gi boat!? They float the lights
out at night and catch squid - its fairly labour intensive and there were about
8 people on this boat.
We set off again the next day and headed for
Karavos as the meltemi was coming and we needed a safe haven. The
meltemi is the hot, dry, north easterly wind that blows at Force 6/7 or even 8
in the summer here. When we first arrived in Karavos we had to
anchor in the harbour as there was already a yacht on the wall but they left so
we quickly took their place! This bay is perfectly sheltered and is
the one where the concrete towers on the other side spoil the view but we don't
really mind and the wall we are on is the pretty side. (See Pic
no.4)
Another boat came in later and for one night it was
stern to beside us - the skipper was english but his crew were
american. But he brought out his bed cover to air and it was a lovely blue
quilt. When I commented on it he said it was made for the previous owners
and had the boat name hidden in it (Scube). It has light houses and
flags and knots all appliqued on to it. (CCC and 'Sew
Together' please note!!).
It made me quite home sick!!
The last pic is Graham's favourite. We
keep seeing old rotor-vators used as transport so Graham fancies having one to
use round Woodbridge! (This one was quite smart).
Now the meltemi has started in earnest and its
quite wearing. Also there are eucalyptus trees nearby and the boat is
covered in bark and tree bits and the dust is amazing too. The
wind will last a good five or six days so we are staying here but at least we
have water, a beach, shops and a nearby town with Liddle and Carre
Four. Almost civilised. And today we walked into Aliverion
again (we were there on Sat and enjoyed the large fruit and veg market)
and this time I got a hair cut. Just a wash/trim/blow-dry and no
pampering.....15 Euros!!! Also, Graham got our tatty flag (red
ensign that is now more pink!) re -sewn/hemmed by a little old lady with an
even older treadle machine. She spoke no english and wouldn't
take any money for it (but we left her 5 Euros)
We seem to be the only English 'tourists' here -
lots of Greek holiday makers and families who all come here in the evenings and
occasionally chat to us. With the wind howling (but the sky is blue
and sun hot) I will sign off and hope you are all well and enjoying calm
weather?
Regards
Gilly B
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