37:35.59N 23:20.32E Vathi, Methana Peninsula

Ariel of Hamble
Jim and Valerie SHURVELL
Sun 7 Jul 2013 10:32

 Tuesday, 2nd July, 2013.

 

We left the harbour of Epidhavros and motored around the headland to the beach area to find the sunken city.  We thought we had it sorted as we knew it was not in the corner but in the middle of the bay about 100 yards off the land.  We anchored just a little too far for us to all swim so Jim returned and got the dinghy and gave Sue and I a ride.  Frank got some good shots of the pots underwater and enjoyed snorkelling around the area.  Sue and I enjoyed swimming in warm water and discovering the walls underwater and the experience.

 

After approximately 90 minutes we decided we would return to Ariel and make our way over to Vathi for the night.  There was not a lot of wind so we motored the 10 miles and were very lucky to find a space on the wall.  We were the first boat on the wall at the entrance so we had the uninterrupted view around the bay to the mountains.  A catamaran managed to come in and squeeze up the other end where it is a quite a bit shallower.  

 

Frank went for a long walk up and down the mountains and Sue and I went the other way to the beach for a swim.  On the way back we stopped at a Shirley Valentine taverna overlooking the water. We sat for a few minutes before I decided to go in and ask for some beer.  An old gentleman asked me if I wanted water and then pointed me to a big upright fridge.  Beers in hand back I go to him and ask for glasses.  He points me in the direction of the kitchen and said sink.  On the sink drying on kitchen roll were glasses all very clean.   Beer, glasses but how am I going to open them?  The gentleman pointed me in the direction of the kitchen again when I indicated to him I needed to open them.  Luckily inside the kitchen, no door was a stand with 3 openers.  I was now set and off to find Sue enjoying the scenery across the water. 

 

After enjoying what we called our Shirley Valentine time we went inside to pay.  The old chap pointed us to the kitchen where his equally elderly wife was talking on the phone while a couple of large pots were being heated up over a large gas flame.  I indicated I want to pay for the beers to her and she got out lots of paper notes and then change and charged us 4 euros for two large beer bottles.  Best price ever!  The lady never stopped talking on the phone and waved us good bye.  We smiled and waved to the old chap and off we went back to Ariel to get ready for dinner.

 

Vathi is a small harbour with several fishing boats and seven restaurants in a very small area.  After Pimms we went off to investigate which was the busiest restaurant.  The restaurant in the centre of the bay which serves lots of fish dishes got our vote.  Inside were the pots, bones and rocks found by the family when they go diving.  The boys went off to view the fish for the evening and we were not disappointed with our food at all.  My fish was beautifully cooked and presented and we all had a great meal in beautiful surroundings with just a few yards to our beds.

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