Friday 18^th September – Messolonghi (Mesolóngion) – Nisís Trizónia

38:22.166N 22:04.490E

This morning before breakfast Richard checked the weather forecast and, yippee, it was due to be a westerly.  We set off down the canal and, as previously, found a total lack of wind.  However, today, even after we passed the southerly cardinal 4nm out, where the wind had kicked in against us previously, it was still quiet.

We were not complaining, we were happy to motor along, not getting a battering and enjoying the sunshine.  We were heading towards the Ríon – Andírrion suspension bridge which spans the narrow strait one mile wide between the Greek mainland and the Peloponnese; according to the pilot book it is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world and I must say it was quite impressive.

I called the nice people at Ríon Traffic on the VHF when we were 5nm from the bridge and off we went to the duly appointed archway for east going yachts (three columns to port and one to starboard), and confirmed again at 1nm.  What was even better was that we had the current with us so we were speeding along quite fast.  As we approached the bridge, we watched anxiously to see that there was space above the mast, but we passed under the bridge with plenty of clearance. 

The wind had been creeping up gradually as we approached the bridge but was still quite light.  Once through, just as I was serving lunch, the wind filled in from behind and we had a rather rapid genoa run for the rest of our trip to Trizónia.  Running straight downwind most of the way, we had the genoa reefed with winds in the mid twenties for most of the trip; with the swell and current from behind, we were doing at least 6-6.5 knots the whole way.  At times the wind was getting quite lively and gusting strongly, our maximum recorded wind speed was 34.5 knots.

It was still blowing hard when we arrived at this ‘sheltered’ marina on the lee side of the island of Trizónia.  The wind was still whistling across the bay and, as Richard set the fenders, we could hardly hear each other speak.  The marina was quite busy but we managed to find a spot on the inside of the breakwater and a couple of folk from nearby yachts came to help with our lines, which was really appreciated.  Luckily I was berthing head into the wind and by keeping the motor in ahead, managed to stem the wind and keep Pyxis in one place as she ‘ferry-glided’ onto the berth.

The wind continued to howl this afternoon but has abated slightly this evening.