Tuesday 20^th July – Órmos Kirí, Nísos Zákinthos – Messolonghi

38:21.686N 21:25.020E

We were up in time to see the sunrise over the hills to the east, bathing the bay with an orange glow.  Shortly after, we weighed anchor and were the third boat heading out of the anchorage at that time.

About 15 minutes after sunrise a light NE breeze filled in a across the bay and we were actually able to sail peacefully out across Kólpos Lagana for half an hour or so before the wind dropped again and we had to put the engine on.

We had to motorsail the rest of the morning as we headed around Ák Yerakas, up the east coast of Zákinthos and across to Nisís Kavikalidha on the NW corner of the Peloponnese before crossing the Gulf of Patras back to Messolonghi.

Early afternoon the wind filled in again gently to a F3 - 4 and we were able to sail the rest of the way on a pleasant beam reach.  Part way across we were visited by a small pod of dolphins who played briefly by the bows but then decided we weren’t going fast enough to keep them entertained.

We arrived off the entrance to the canal just before 5pm, dropped the main and sailed up the canal to the marina on the genoa.  As we came into the marina a turtle appeared directly in front of the bow so we had to stop and wait for it to dive out of our way.

Tonight we are moored stern-to the wall just down from our regular berth.  Developments have continued whilst we have been away; the new pontoons are all in place now with tailed lines and most are full with yachts staying here over the summer.  We will explore more tomorrow.

Órmos Kirí - Messolonghi

© Pyxis 2010