Friday 24^th July – Argostoli, Kefalonia

38:10.704N 20:29.378E

This morning Richard was up and out early to the Tax Office before the heat of the day took its toll.  Having tracked down the right office (room 13), he managed to get the appropriate paperwork and pay the due fee at the cashiers office (room 12).  He then headed back to the Port Police office where he was able to get us officially checked in and our Depka issued J  The lady officer there doing the paperwork was apparently very friendly and helpful but in any case he wasn’t going to argue as she had a revolver strapped to her waist belt.

This turned out to be just in time – whilst he was away the Port Police visited the quay and instructed some neighbouring boats to go and get their paperwork sorted, one had been just about to leave for Italy and was stopped until it had completed the necessary paperwork and paid. 

Today we have carried on working through those various domestic tasks yachties need to perform - running the generator to top up the batteries, sourcing more fuel for the boat and the generator, finding a local SIM for the mobile, tracking down taramasalata and Greek wine at the local store, finding a new inner tube for Richard’s bike, making sure the boat next door doesn’t pull up our anchor as it leaves...

As we were having dinner there was some drama when one of the boats arriving this evening managed to hook its anchor around the anchor chain of one of the boats already moored.  Nigel went to the rescue in his dinghy and helped them free the two chains and then take a long rope ashore where a team from the other yachts pulled the stern of the boat in to the quay and helped tie it off.

This evening we were invited for a drink aboard Arwen by Jacky and Rob along with their friends Steve and June on Piper who arrived today.  Arwen crossed here from Roccella Ionica on Monday, we crossed on Tuesday and Piper crossed on Wednesday.  Arwen and Piper were both in Lagos last winter and Piper was there the winter we were there.

After a drink we all walked up to the main square for a look at this evening’s festivities.  There were the same stalls as last night, so the chance to try some more wine and local food, and the dancing had been replaced by a shadow puppet show for the kids.

We had a good wander around and then returned to Pyxis where we were surprised to find the boat just up from us preparing to sail.  Fortunately they managed to get out in the dark without catching our anchor and so we settled down in the cockpit to watch the world promenade past on the quay.

Kefalonia:  Argostoli

© Pyxis 2009