Thursday 23^rd September – Messolonghi (Mutiny)

38:21.668N 21:25.004E

This morning there was a mutiny by the P’s as they declared a rest day; so much for the itinerary that Richard had planned.  We had a day on deck with books.  In the afternoon Richard bailed out the dinghy as it had filled with water during the recent rain and then I took Dad out on the dinghy down the small canal to see the nearby lagoon and fishing shacks.  I took the hand held VHF radio and he spoke to Mum on it on the way out and then he called Pyxis on our return to tell them we were on our way into the marina.

As we arrived back there was more drama.  Black smoke was rising up into the sky across the lagoon, the far side of Messolonghi – there was another fire.  Fortunately, this fire was much smaller than the last one and it was eventually put out, no sea planes this time.  The fresh easterly wind though brought the smoke over the marina and soon black ash was raining down on the boats – sending people racing on deck to bring their washing in.

This evening we went to the Sugar Café in town with Kath and Gavin (Blue Elephant) and Russell (Aqua Domus).  We decided the best way to handle the long walk was to let Richard drive us to the centre and then bring the car back and walk down with the others.  Whilst we were waiting I was able to show the P’s the town square and fountain and the small cobbled roads.

As we all sat drinking and enjoying the excellent meze which come with each drink we were joined by a succession of others from the marina and it was quite a party. 

We walked back late and full of meze – no space for a gyros tonight.