Saturday 12^th September – Sivota, Levkas – Messolonghi (Mesolóngion)

38:21.637N 21:25.049E

This morning we were up at dawn, said goodbye to Cape and Cirrusly Blue, and set off for Messolonghi, 46NM away.  We want to explore the Gulf of Patras (Patraikos Kólpos) before the close of the season so we chose to head to Messolonghi for the weekend as the forecast is for very unsettled weather over the next couple of days.

We had a mixed bag of weather; we were able to sail well for parts of the passage, sometimes on a run, sometimes close-hauled, sometimes on the beam, but also had to motor when the wind came astern of us or fell away altogether.  At first there was some cloud and quite a bit of fetch compared to what we are used to around here, so there had been some wind overnight, but as we headed south the cloud burnt away and we had bright sunshine and flat seas.

We arrived late afternoon and berthed on the same pontoon that we had been on before, alongside but this time stern-out on the end so we have a lovely view out over the lagoon and mountains.

Yannis, the marina owner, came to say hello when he recognised the boat – he’s a really friendly guy and wanted to tell us how things are going with the development of the marina.  The marina is pretty full tonight – maybe they’ve all heard the forecast.

Early evening we were sitting quietly and suddenly had thirty three knots of wind rushing though the marina as the wind changed direction.  We didn’t move as we are held firm alongside; a yacht was just arriving and was thinking of coming in to berth but promptly changed its mind and went out to anchor instead – given the conditions at the time it was a wise decision.  Fortunately the wind soon settled again.

Tonight we are having a quiet night sitting in the cockpit as a pleasant breeze scoots through the marina.