38:56.911N 20:45.758E

Wednesday 20th Aug.

Day started quite early....well 2.30am to be exact, when from a flat calm the wind suddenly got up from the East and started blowing at 20 knots, pretty much straight onto the quay. In no time this increased to 30 knots and there was a lot of activity as boats started dragging anchors and backing into the quay etc. We held firm (we had a lot of scope out) and sat and watched as boats were milling round in the area in front of us, looking for a spot to drop their anchors again. By 3.30am the wind had died completely and so it was back to bed, unfortunately this was the cue for the bar behind us to start playing very loud music, which did not stop until 5.00am.

Lefkas in only an island because of the canal which separates it from the Greek mainland. There is a floating bridge that opens (swings across to one side) on the hour every hour to let boats pass. The current canal was actually only built around 1900 by the Greek government, but earlier canals have been dug here by the Corinthians around 7th century BC and by Augustus during the Roman occupation, and there are remains of a Turkish/Venetian bridge. Both ends of the canal have the remains of Venetian forts guarding them. The town itself was extensively damaged in the 1953 earthquake, but unlike some of the other large towns on the other islands, Lefkas was not rebuilt to any conscious plan and is still a strange jumble of corrugated iron and brick houses leaning over narrow streets. Sarah was inspired to go off with the camera to capture some of this, but as you will see at www.rhbell.com came back with a comprehensive collection of bell towers! She also managed to arrange to get her hair cut which was a relief to her as she has been struggling to find anywhere suitable.

Joe and Robin Charlton, joined us for drinks in the evening. Joe arrived slightly late as he had to go out to sea to rescue a yacht with a failed engine,(he runs a couple of marine businesses, Contract Yacht Services and Yacht Assist) which he towed in and parked in the space next to us! We spent the next few hours catching up on all the news of old friends from our flotilla days etc.

Thursday 21st Aug.

Left Lefkas Town in time to catch the 10.00am bridge opening and passed through the narrow and shallow Northern entrance to the canal and headed for Preveza, which lies in the entrance to the Gulf of Amvrakia. This area is has a multitude of ancient sites, but is probably best known for being the site of the Battle of Actium, when Octavian defeated Anthony, the result of which determined the course of the Roman empire.

The main reason for coming here today was to visit the three boatyards on the Aktion side of the entrance to the gulf, with a view to arranging wintering Serafina here. The one which was recommended to us was already fully booked, so time is perhaps running out. The biggest yard, suitably named Cleopatra seems fine and is not too far from Corfu for getting a flight home. We moored up for the night in the brand new marina also run by the Cleopatra boatyard and went out for a meal in the only taverna for several miles. Here we met an English couple who are just laying their boat up this week and they were able to give us loads of advice, both about laying up in Greece and some ideas for places to visit over the next few days in the gulf.

This afternoon, we watched as a huge fire took hold on the far side of the entrance, behind the town of Previza. The size of the fire was quite staggering and fanned by the onshore wind, it seemed to be spreading very quickly. Eventually it began to die down, but we were then treated to a display by a fire fighting plane, which was a elderly seaplane which scoops up a large volume of sea water and then 'bombs' the fire by flying low and dumping the water in one hit. (Picture at www.rhbell.com )

Sorry, but due to an absence of wi-fi around here, the new photos will not be posted for a few days.

Anyone wishing to call us or text us might like to note that we now have a Greek mobile phone number which is 0030 695 606 5601.