Monday 28^th September – Galaxidhi – Messolonghi (Mesolóngion)

38:21.686N 21:25.005E

The wind finally dropped at about 3am, finally giving us a chance to get some sleep and the swell a chance to ease.  We were awake half an hour before dawn and, after a check of the latest weather forecast, we prepared Pyxis for sail and slipped our lines just after dawn. 

There were still strong easterlies forecast but they would be behind us and were due to drop during the day; by the time we were due to reach our destination late afternoon they were forecast to have become very light.  The next day the wind would be going west and so trying to get back would mean us having to donk down into the wind and swell.

We left Galaxidhi with a light breeze and motored towards the strait; looking behind us we realised that one of our other neighbours were on the move too and following us out.  As a town, we liked Galaxidhi, and enjoyed meeting the people we did, but the attitude of the self imposed ‘harbour-master’ makes the place oppressive – we would probably consider Itéa next time.

Gradually the wind built and once in the strait we were able to switch the engine off and run downwind on the genoa in F4/5 occ F6; we had a great sail back down to the bridge, the swell being generally comfortable due to us being in the confines of the strait.

As before, 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 west going yachts (three columns to port and one to starboard), and confirmed again at 1nm. 

We motor sailed just before the bridge as the wind eased but it soon built again and we were able to switch the engine off and sail through under the bridge.  The other side of the bridge the wind filled in to F5/6 and once again we had a great run downwind on just the genoa, ‘speeding’ along at 7-8 knots.

Shortly before the entrance to the canal up to the marina at Messolonghi the wind finally caught up with the forecast and remembered it was due to ease.  We motored up the canal to find that Yannis had our berth ready for us as promised and we were able to moor up in almost still airs.

Charlie and Anna from Star Dance were there to help catch lines and a little later we joined them for a drink and a catch-up.  Apparently it has been pretty wet and windy down here over the last few days.

On Passage

© Pyxis 2009