Messolonghi (Ayiagáthi Fair, Etoliko)

Pyxis
Karen & Richard
Mon 23 Aug 2010 22:58

Monday 23rd August – Messolonghi (Ayiagáthi Fair, Etoliko)

38:21.668N 21:25.004E

 

This morning Electric Monk and Serenity finally managed to get away just after dawn as there was a lull in the strong easterly.  Soon after Electric Monk had gone the marina decided to make the most of their empty space by the quay; the crane, tractor and trailer arrived and they spent the day hoisting a few yachts out beside us.  The crane driver is quite impressive to watch, he seems to manage in some very tight spaces.

 

Messolonghi:  Yachts being lifted beside us

 

After breakfast, we went into town to the local bus stand to try and sort out some bus times for the evening; fortunately the marina office had given us a crib sheet for how to ask in Greek.

 

When we got back we went round to Blue Elephant, moved the yacht back towards the pontoon and fitted the passerelle as we were expecting Kath and Gavin back today from the UK.  They arrived late afternoon and it was great to see them again - we last met back in Gibraltar.  After saying hello, we left them to sort themselves out and we went and showered before heading off to Etoliko with Russell for the last day of the Ayiagáthi Fair.

 

Etoliko is a small village about 11km from Messolonghi in the middle of the salt lagoons.  It sits on a small island with a causeway either side linking it to the mainland.  It has a small traditional boatyard where they haul and repair the wooden fishing boats.

 

The fair was a pleasant surprise.  It celebrates the start of the fight against the Turks which it is claimed was initiated in Etoliko.  The fair has been held since 1830.  There was a small parade by soldiers firing rifles (v. loud) followed by a procession of riders on horseback, and then dancing in the square.  We watched from the comfort of a bar by the side of the road and the view was really good.  We knew we would be close to the action when they said they needed to take our table inside out of the path of the horses.  Afterwards they were putting out tables throughout the town for food and an all night party.

 

After the procession we headed back for the last bus.  The lady at the bus station in Messolonghi had said the last bus was at 10.00pm, maybe 10.20pm, but the bus driver on the way out had said the last bus was at 9.30pm maybe 9.40pm.  We decided not to take any chances and arrived ready for 9.30pm, the bus duly turned up at 10.20pm just as we were about to give up on it. 

 

As we didn’t have tickets, the bus driver indicated for us to sit down as he didn’t sell them onboard.  We noticed he made a call on his mobile as we motored along.  As we stopped at a junction, he indicated to Richard towards a ticket booth and Richard said the lady was waiting for him with three tickets all ready for him.  The transaction completed, we carried on to Messolonghi – we were impressed with the service.

 

When we arrived, we called in at a bar and enjoyed a couple of beers with meze before heading back to the marina and feeding Lucky who thankfully was not sulking at dinner being a few hours late.

 

Etoliko: Causeway

 

Etoliko

 

Etoliko: Ayiagáthi Fair

© Pyxis 2010