Epidavros - Vathí (Methana)

Pyxis
Karen & Richard
Tue 10 May 2011 22:58

Tuesday 10th May – Epidavros – Vathí (Methana)

37:35.604N 23:20.344E

 

The night was not a comfortable one as the wind did not go round to the North as quickly as it was forecast to.  Around 12.30am we were woken by the wind strengthening.  The wind and swell were still coming in from the east but the stronger gusts were going north-east and we were becoming more sheltered by the headland.  Fortunately, after an hour or so, the wind eased again and we were able to get back to sleep.

 

When we awoke in the morning, we saw that the other boat at anchor had already left and that the fisherman had gathered his nets.  As we watched we saw all the boats that had remained on the quay in Epidavros leaving.  We decided to leave too and set off for the short hop to Vathí, a tiny fishing harbour on the Methana Peninsula offering better shelter, about 9 miles away.

 

When we arrived, another Nielson fleet was in, having diverted to Vathí from Epidavros when they saw the conditions last night!  Luckily one of the yachts left as we arrived and so we were able to go stern-to the wall in its place.  The other yacht from the anchorage was already here and they came to catch our lines.  Unfortunately the anchor didn’t set straight away so we have less chain out than we normally like; the anchor is solid though so we are leaving it for now.

 

The rest of the Nielson fleet gradually left to sail down to Poros during the morning, and shortly after we arrived a charter yacht came in alongside us, they had spent the night on the quay in Epidavros – it had not been pleasant! 

 

Also in the harbour was a catamaran we had first met in September 2009, at Galaxidhi, with Hans and Inge aboard; they had arrived yesterday.   During the afternoon, the wind built and the cross wind caused their anchor to start to slip, so we went to catch their lines for them while they went out to reset it.  Later we went for dinner at a local taverna and caught up with them and their travels.