Thursday 15^th July – Kiparissia, Peloponnese – Katakólon, Peloponnese

37:39.039N 21:19.428E

This morning, just after sunrise, we said goodbye to Kiparissia and headed north-west, deciding to bank some miles against the prevailing wind before it perked up.  Just as we left the harbour, we headed straight into quite a bit of swell with no wind.  Luckily the swell was on the nose and we pitched rather than rolled which is a tad more comfortable.

As we progressed, the swell eased and the wind increased slowly, but on the nose.  Eventually it came onto a close haul and we were able to motorsail but by then we were approaching Katakólon.  We arrived around 12.30 and the mailsail went away. 

We went into the harbour to look at the town quay but as the wind was now perking up for the afternoon, I didn’t fancy tackling it stern-to with the anchor.  We decided to go to the anchorage and joined three French yachts who had made the same decision.

Later this afternoon, once the afternoon wind showed signs of easing, we rigged the dinghy and went ashore to have a look around town and say hello to Albert and Ineka on Joshua who are already on the quay. 

Having looked around, we have decided to stay in the anchorage tonight.  The harbour area feels strange, about an acre of concrete comprising a coach park for the regular visits of cruise ships (Katakólon is the nearest port for visiting Olympia) and feels rather desolate when one isn’t in – which is the case today, apparently three were in yesterday.  The town is a bit disappointing too as it is closed today, again because there are no cruise ships in – can’t help feeling I’ll regret this complaint tomorrow when two are due!  

Early evening we have seen a large number of yachts arrive, including a flotilla, our first sighting for some time, and so it is now looking quite busy on the quay; three of the arrivals have joined us in the anchorage this evening but it is still relatively peaceful – apart from some entertainment being provided by three sea planes practicing their fire fighting drills; they are picking up sea water and then dive bombing some poor local fisherman out in the bay with sea water – well that is what is looked like from here.

This evening we fired up the BBQ in the cockpit and enjoyed the fresh fish given to us by the fishermen yesterday for dinner whilst watching the sunset over the hill.

Kiparissia

Katakólon

© Pyxis 2010