Corinth Canal
Gillyb
Sat 4 Jun 2011 08:49
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Position: 37:54.9N 23:00.6E
Hello Family, Friends & Fans!
Following the visit to the island with the half
built marina and sunken yacht, we headed for the mainland again and went to
GALAXIDHI. Well thats how I'm spelling it - there seems to be twenty ways
to spell it and don't ask me how you pronounce it either!
The pictures speak for themselves - we were with
Naivasha stern to on the wall by the tavernas and right in front of a lovely
little grocery shop which had loads of local wine in plastic bottles (3.50
Euros) both red and white and sacks of various beans and dried grains all
beautifully displayed. The owner also got his wife to do our
laundry. (10 Euros per load - provide your own soap stuff)
We think they also ran a hotel in the town. The whole place was delightful
and friendly with a park and an ex naval college which is now a chef
school. Coach loads of people arrive to visit having been to Delphi as
well which is on the tourist trail.
After a couple of days on the wall at Galaxidhi
(with water and electrics) we were all set to go across towards the Corinth
Canal. We set off towards the area on the Monday and had phoned ahead so
we were told we could go through the canal at 0700 hrs on Tuesday. (It
usually shuts Tues for maintenance so we were wise to check). We
stopped about 8 miles from the canal Monday night and did overnight at a grim
place called Kiato. All a bit run down - it used to be a busy
port but now just a few ferries. It was noisy on the huge wall with
fishermen and motorbikes shouting and roaring past the boat till the early
hours. Luckily we were leaving at 0500 so we were not that
bothered.
Naivasha and Gilly B rushed to get to the entrance
before 0700 and calling control at about 0640 we were told to make 'all
speed' which we did and as soon as we arrived at the first bridge we were
told to turn round and go outside the little harbour and wait! We had to
wait for a small coaster which was going through ahead of us. The bridge
duly sank (!) only in Greece.. and we all passed over it and into the
canal.
It was a beautiful morning and slightly eerie being
so early and as the coaster and his pilot steamed ahead we slowed down and
enjoyed the experience Which is just as well as we then had to
tie up at the other end and pay 212 Euros for the privilege!
Slightly cheaper for Naivasha as its done on length and she is only 36
ft.
Still you can possibly see from the pictures that
it is an amazing place - only about 4 miles long but it cuts out going all round
the bottom of the Peloponnisos.
Thats all for now folks.
Gilly B
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