Gulf of Corinth
Marita3
Mark & Helen Syrett
Mon 13 May 2013 13:13
Yesterday we said a sad farewell to Tom and family when they caught the 0740 hydrofoil to Athens en route back to Paris. We sailed for the Corinth Canal with the intention of overnighting at anchor at the eastern end of the Canal having been told that the transit fee was double on Sundays - a nautical myth! So we went through at 17.30 with the intention of anchoring at the Western end in one of the Pilot Book Anchorages. Unfortunately 8 knots of wind at the Eastern end turned into an unforecast WNW wind of 25 knots and a big sea at the western end. The anchorages were on a lee shore, therefore dangerous so we had two alternatives, to spend a night at sea in the prevailing conditions or find refuge in darkness on the northern shore of the Gulf. After about 6 hours, first motor sailing with a triple reefed main going west and then north, we anchored in the lee of the mountains at the village of Paralia,(Omos Ay Saranda)
After the remainder of a good nights sleep we left this morning at 1100 to move a few miles up the coast - 10 knots on the anchorage translated into 25-30 knots and heavy seas in the Gulf - we retreated back to the anchorage and here we lie, waiting for better weather although the grib files are not encouraging for the next few days!
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