Friday 4^th June – Monemvasía

36:40.977N 23:02.356E

Today has also been a tad windy with the wind regularly gusting F6-7 through the harbour.  Taking advantage of the availability of water, I washed the towels and bedding this morning – it was all dry by lunchtime as it was a really hot day.

Richard noticed that my back tyre was flat yet again.  He had tried one last repair to see if it would stay up but it was time to give up on repairs so he replaced the inner tube.  After lunch we went out for a cycle ride to the other side of Yefira to see what was around.  There wasn’t a lot to see, just housing and a view of Monemvasía from the other side.

We cycled back and over the causeway to the old village of Monemvasía.  We went up to the top again and this time we trekked all the way up to the citadel at the summit.  It was a hot climb but as we approached the citadel at the top, clouds obscured the sun and it became pleasantly cool.  We walked around the large set of ruins and the views from the top were fabulous - it was well worth the walk.  As it was only half-light, with quite thick cloud building up, it felt quite eerie.

On the way back, we picked up a bottle of local wine at the butchers, apparently made by the family about 5km from here.  We invited Charlie from Star Dance and Nigel from Jolane over to help us test it – they arrived between showers as the clouds have brought a bit of rain with them.  The wine wasn’t bad and obviously we will now need to go back for some more as we finished it.

Whilst we were enjoying our drinks, a large new 54ft yacht arrived at the harbour entrance.  Next, a local shop owner appeared and suggested that it come alongside us (we think he had a friend on the crew).  In unison, given its size and the strong broadside winds, we all said ‘No – too big’ so instead he rafted the yacht on the slightly heavier fishing boat behind us (still not big enough), initially lining the sterns up so that the bow of the yacht over hung part way down Pyxis (no fenders at its bow) – I was self-appointed bad cop and went to tell them that the winds we are getting meant what they were doing was dangerous, and shared my low opinion of them until I felt better.  They are a delivery crew and I’m glad it’s not my yacht.

Shortly afterwards, when we were down below preparing dinner, there was an almighty argument outside – the owner of the fishing boat had arrived and was expressing his displeasure to the crew and shop owner.  He eventually settled on making them move the boat back so that it was evenly alongside him (and clear of Pyxis) and resetting their shore lines; it was by now dark so they didn’t leave, sadly (even though the old ferry quay on the other side of the causeway was clear). 

Monemvasía

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