Hi Everyone,

 

We left our overnight anchorage at Ormos Oxia, mainland and headed east into the Gulf of Patras and Corinth. The gulfs almost split the mainland in half, horizontally, west to east.

The wind funnels through the gulfs and is often accelerated. The normal prevailing wind for this region of Greece is NW but through the gulfs it runs East or West but predominantly West.

 

So we were  looking forward to a nice sail running with the wind behind us for 100 miles. NO it was easterly on the nose--- and will probably be westerly on the nose coming back in Sept !!

So we motored for 40 n miles into a pleasant but occasionally lumpy sea---- normally quite calm.

 

The bridge which spans the narrow one mile channel between Andirrion and Rion was built in 2004 and is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world at 2,252m and an air height of 25-45m.

With our 24 m high rig I was giving Tony ear ache about going through the right gap between pylons.  Poor thing, my experienced skipper has a lot to put up with !!!

We radioed ahead and were directed by channel officials to the correct gap in the pylons.

 

Spectacular experience, once the nerves calmed down--- photos say it all.

 

On then to Navpaxtos on the north shore and a great anchorage outside the tiny medieval harbour for the night. The Venetian castle and the fortifications, on the hill above the harbour are quite something with the walls stretching down to the sea—walls not unlike the feel of the great wall of China.

The medieval harbour is so tiny only about 100m across inside. It is well worth a visit.

 

Photos of----------

The Bridge

Navpaxtos---The Venetian castle and fortifications from the sea, the medieval harbour and of Tioram anchored in the bay day and night taken from the castle.

 

Love to all

 

Tina and Tony x x