From a damp & cool Athens
jenna
Jim / Elaine Soens
Sat 26 Sep 2009 20:16
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37.55N 23.39E
Seems a long time since Kefalonia (on reflection it
was a week ago today - must be why it seems a long time ago) We all
enjoyed the shower after tying up on the quay which is on the roadside
all along the main street. J & E were pleased to see their Albanian friend
and his English wife who were just trying to get their cafe business off the
ground (straight across the road from where we were tied up) the last time they
were here 4 years ago. They are doing well and give a good service to
the boating folks. Had a very good meal in a nice local restaurant and
then a coffee on board and retired to a flat and still bed & a welcome early
night very Happy Bunnies. Spent the next two days tidying up and doing
some food shopping and walking around this charming little town.
Left on Monday and had a beautiful calm and warm
day for our sail to Ithaca and the quaint main town of Vathi where we anchored
in the bay which is surrounded by the town. Dingy ashore for a walk round
the town (hardly more than a village) and dinner. While chomping on a piece of
bread I managed to break a sizable piece of a tooth. Asked the waiter
about a dentist and he offered me a container with toothpicks. Had to
explain it was a tooth Dr. I needed. Fortunately one about 100mtrs down
the road and was open at 19.45hrs Waited 50 mins to have him tell me all
he could do that night was a 2 min. grinding job to take away the sharpness of
the break and was relieved of €40. Thought dental in the UK was
expensive!! Returned to the restaurant to find that my sardines
(whitebait) and chips had been delivered to the table 5 mins. after I
left. Returned it to the kitchen to have it heated and it returned
microwaved! Yuck! but couldn't be bothered having any more agro at that time of
night. The others had a bad meal too so we are not doing the best with
restaurants!!
Left the lovely Ithaca early the following morning
with nice calm sea and warm morning. Lasted for about an hour and Yes, you've
guessed it, all hell broke loose again. Banging and crashing through the waves
all the way to the very impressive Rion Bridge at the entrance to the Gulf of
Corinth. Anchored in a thankfully, peaceful bay for the night.
Following day, Wed. 23rd. completed the sail to the Corinth Canal arriving in
much calmer seas and warm weather at 16.00. Only waited 30 mins for our
turn to transit the canal. Traffic is one way so sometimes there is a long
wait if you miss the slot in the direction which you are traveling. We were
quite impressed with the canal, which is quite short (3 miles) but steep
sided. The cost for this short trip is an unbelievable €200. Anchored
on the south side for the night and the following morning set off for Piraeus
the port of Athens. Arrived here in Marina Zea at 12.00noon. Very
large marina with some amazing boats tied up. Some like small liners and
the height of luxury. Elaine flew back to the UK on Thursday night for the
funeral of her nephew who very sadly died suddenly last week. She returns
tomorrow night, Sunday, and we will start the last leg of the trip through the
islands to Turkey on Monday, weather permitting. In the meantime Jim is
nursing a very sore knee which he damaged again yesterday so is only able for
light duties. D & I have been taking the advantage of the unexpected
stop in Athens to check out the city, which we have never been to before,
and it's history. Visited the Acropolis and
some of the old temples yesterday. Weather has cooled down a lot and a bit
showry today. Just our luck but the forecast is not good for Monday.
Oh well, will let you know next time.
From the Happy Wanderers
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