The Gulf of Patras and Town of Navpaxtos.-----4th June. 38:23.48N 021:49.87E
Tioram 4
Tina & Tony
Sun 5 Jun 2011 08:47
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
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