37:38.90N
21:19.08E Katakolon
Monday, 20th August, 2012.
We were up early to check on the wind direction as the wind
is suppose to become very windy in the next day or two and we want to travel on. We had breakfast, fed our pussy cat friend
who was trying hard to tell us something which we could not understand. She had ginger markings which was probably
born in the spring but lives in the rocks of the harbour wall. Although we felt sorry for her there is no
way we could help her. We have met several
couples who have taken on kittens and puppies but there is no way we could as
it would play Jim’s asthma up. Hopefully another yacht will come along who can
give her a home. She definitely had the
looks of a lovely cat.
The wind was gusting across the harbour from the NE. We slipped the lines, took in the fenders and
raised the main with one reef in the ferry harbour before going out around the
wall and leaving the safe area. We were
soon sailing and off went the motor. Two
ferries passed by just outside the harbour and were both full of
passengers. Very soon we were at the
corner where we turned south heading for the next headland. Up went the genny
and we were making 7 and 8 knots. Along
the coastline were some very smart hotels and complexes with gazeboes on the
beach each with 4 chairs underneath.
This was near the town of Loutra.
We saw lots of Shearwaters all working the area and at least
two tuna which were pushing up the small fish for the Shearwaters to swoop down
on. The coast line was very beautiful
all the way and the castle we visited yesterday could be seen all the way down
to where we turned at the headland into Katakolon. We came hurtling around the headland with
both sails up to find a cruise liner just about to leave the harbour in front
of us. Of course, it had to sound its
hooter at us as we were taking down our sails.
It went off towards Malta and we came into a very quiet and calm water
harbour where it was like a different world.
We called Leon the quay organiser on the VHF on our way in
and he was ready to tell us where to moor and take our lines. Once Ariel was settled we sat and had lunch
looking out at our new surroundings.
>From here we are going to take the train to Olympia as it is only 25
miles away. Suddenly there was
screeching and braking and a new BMW had gone over the harbour wall and was
resting on a small day boat. Luckily,
for the lady driver and the small boy the boat had saved them from the water. A van tried to help pull the car back onto
the quay but no avail so it was left tied to the tow bar of the car until half
an hour later when a crane arrived and lifted the car back onto quay. The car has now rested rejected for several
hours before it was towed away. We looked at the boat later and there was no damage just tyre marks!
We topped out at 8.7 knots and covered 28 miles to the
lighthouse on the land near the harbour entrance. Ariel gave us both a very
comfortable ride all the way.
