37:30.10N 23:27.26E Poros

Ariel of Hamble
Jim and Valerie SHURVELL
Wed 10 Jul 2019 16:37

Friday 5th July, 2019.

We left Ermioni after a cold coffee with ice-cream in our favourite little cafe.

The breeze was quite strong and although we had to motor sail the main was giving us quite a lift and Jim was able to gain some help from it and he managed to tack all the way up the channel to the two small islands Spathi and Skilli where we lost the breeze.

At one point I was making lunch when I was told to stop as the breeze was getting up so once we were safely out of the breeze it was back to making lunch and serving it.

The quay was empty and we think it is because now the Greek cruising tax for us is over 110 euros a month and the charges on the quays has been put up more people are anchoring out.  It does have a knock on effect as cruisers are eating more on board and therefore not spending in the restaurants like they use to.  We don’t mind paying for what we use but none of the authorities charge the same and some charge for two nights on arrival even if you are only staying one night. In the Cyclades the usual price was 20 to 24 euros with catamarans being charged 1 ½ times due to their width. The big super yachts are being charged more like70 euros or more whereas they have never paid which did cause a lot of shouting and some even left.  The charterers were being charged the same as us which seems fair as with 6, 8 or 10 on board they have more cash in their pockets to pay the harbour fees. Now back at Poros all private boats are being charged two nights on arrival, catamarans the same as a yacht and the charterers are paying 5 euros with the super yachts not paying.  This is a silly situation as the charterers on the super yachts eat on board and may wander to the ice-cream shop or look in the boutiques but don’t shop in the supermarkets or buy fuel. It makes it a little upsetting that they charge a retired couple more rather than sit down and think about the way forward as some will leave Greece and others will be choosier on where they sail.

We had covered 22.6 miles from Ermioni to Poros.

We had a super meal at the Steak House and fabulous wine.  It was a lovely evening eating and watching the sunset.

Saturday 6th July, 2019.

Being Angie and Nicki’s last day with us we started the day with breakfast at the Skipper Cafe before climbing up to the clock tower and taking in the views.

With the fast cat tickets booked for 15.35 we walked to the beach before lunch.  After the clock tower walk a swim was needed.

It was with a heavy heart we had to say goodbye to Nicki and Angie who were off to an AirB&B in Athens for two nights. We have had a great few days and they both know they are welcome to come anytime.

 

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