tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82171178367800009762024-03-05T20:25:03.070-08:00Austral Sailing David and Anne lymnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557146308529777168noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-29103857288943665962016-05-19T05:23:00.000-07:002016-05-19T05:23:04.522-07:00Sailing down to SYVOTA and PREVEZA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leaving the security and romance of Corfu is always a difficult decision but after 4 days we decided to make the break and head south to Syvota and Preveza. Lots of calm seas, no wind and an opportune chance to check the motor.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Port Syvota from above</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Syvota is like an old friend. Once you settle in, all the good (and not so good) memories come flooding back. The great tavernas, ice-cream and pita shops and the occasional <u>very</u> uncomfortable mooring on the town quay. Still, we come back year after year!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sailing to Preveza was a very different experience. Although we motored, the wind was good and we sat on about 7.5kts all the way. A great start to our sailing! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our previous experiences in Preveza give us reason not to tie up at the town wharf. The rolling swell that heads into the channel, lifts side-moored boats like matchsticks on a wave and that along with the pumped up music till the early hours of the morning make it pretty awful.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The main Syvota wharf, early afternoon.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We headed for the more isolated Syvota Marina further in, paid our 15Euro and settled in for 4 very peaceful nights. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFA1QlWz0Qyn7h7zUbUDSoiRP7bVjJvWF4Vx0g-fir5txNXPuk4QzJrMBthOywSolFQlivjrwJBqFW-lCr90XXAK_GlT9iztwLkpHT5JG2uaO8Bewp8Mx3TaRmMeIEZYDoVhrvjGHpMGg/s1600/DSC04485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFA1QlWz0Qyn7h7zUbUDSoiRP7bVjJvWF4Vx0g-fir5txNXPuk4QzJrMBthOywSolFQlivjrwJBqFW-lCr90XXAK_GlT9iztwLkpHT5JG2uaO8Bewp8Mx3TaRmMeIEZYDoVhrvjGHpMGg/s400/DSC04485.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The marina is in the process of being upgraded and improved, new offices and amenities blocks built.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From the condition of the Stamatis Yachting and Travel caravan, they certainly need upgrading!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As with much of the Ionian in May, streets are pretty quiet, tavernas are desperate for business and surprisingly the weather is perfect for just a little sailing and lots of relaxing.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tables ready for customers</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We found many posters all over Preveza reminding us of the the suffering of those caught up in the Syrian conflict.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This shook us both and gave us more reason to not understand our own nations response.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nearby we found the opposite. Children and families together in the council playground, enjoying the beginning of holidays.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Everywhere you walk it seems that gardens are an important part of peoples lives. The nursery shops are to die for, most big plants selling for between 1 and 5Euros</span><br />
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<br />Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-35848873147290520432016-05-09T02:02:00.000-07:002016-05-09T02:02:18.788-07:00BACK IN THE IONIAN 2016This year we decided to fly the quickest route possible to our boat in Corfu. Emirates took a total of 18 hours and then another 2 hours to Corfu with Aegean. No jetlag, just a little tired.<br />
Our boat had been delivered and moored at Naok marina ready for us to settle in for a good nights sleep. For some reason the sails had not been put on which was a little disappointing. This was just one of the problems sent to test us!<br />
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Next morning we set about getting the sails on and busied ourselves with checking water, unpacking (of course we brought too much AGAIN!) and solving 'small' issues. First we discovered that the winch motor had jammed, then that the 3 year old battery was all but useless. Fun times and a lot of Euros later, everything was fixed.<br />
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Corfu is a delightful city to be in. We love coming back each year just to wander through the streets, to discover more quaint shops and tavernas.<br />
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We made a couple of forays to the local market to pick up fruit and vegetables and once again we were amazed at the prices and quality. Strawberries are to die for!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saskia would love it here! ($2.20 punnet)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many olives 2E /500g</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xa8ezwPwhS-abaa1jDpqAUY7mTgcd7LUAy26XkLZt3vwBF-6zbLvVvDWLENUUB5Z82nfL0hMiJAed7s0z76ptFVZTqjv5_g1rtlQRqF8CW8-_hM3QBuv55-QBEpXF7OQIYNaGMAzIuc/s1600/DSC04455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xa8ezwPwhS-abaa1jDpqAUY7mTgcd7LUAy26XkLZt3vwBF-6zbLvVvDWLENUUB5Z82nfL0hMiJAed7s0z76ptFVZTqjv5_g1rtlQRqF8CW8-_hM3QBuv55-QBEpXF7OQIYNaGMAzIuc/s400/DSC04455.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The plants were soooo cheap - wish they were at home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Mothers day was memorable as 100s of men, women and children marched through the town, carrying balloons and pushing prams. Should happen at home maybe?<br />
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We thought we were seasoned travellers but our one experience at an out of the way taverna showed how gullible we are. Next time we'll check the menu more closely!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAevwQzoVZxJiR8_XKmkDs2fxlNJiNvRblc7VzdaWgiunLoIC4gz8EDpjZDn1fFeER7CsDZRJuP8ASG72YAuWK3o5yzLYDpROr63H3vgoUaJnysOoTSsH133KMOnLvclR6vJTDr3p174/s1600/DSC04445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAevwQzoVZxJiR8_XKmkDs2fxlNJiNvRblc7VzdaWgiunLoIC4gz8EDpjZDn1fFeER7CsDZRJuP8ASG72YAuWK3o5yzLYDpROr63H3vgoUaJnysOoTSsH133KMOnLvclR6vJTDr3p174/s400/DSC04445.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the children come out on Sundays</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-69895184439644600942016-04-30T16:41:00.000-07:002016-04-30T16:41:10.207-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />David and Anne lymnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557146308529777168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-89016917857928784432016-04-24T04:48:00.000-07:002016-04-24T04:48:46.264-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />David and Anne lymnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557146308529777168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-31242089481684061672015-06-05T06:13:00.004-07:002015-06-05T06:16:20.774-07:00CEPHALONIA ISLANDEUFIMIA<br />
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After our rather disappointing stay on Nisis Ithaki, we decided to sail around the southern tip and head for Eufimia on the larger Nisis Cephalonia (Island). As luck would have it we motored much of the way with the wind in our face hoping that our return journey through the channel separating the two islands would be easier. It wasn't.<br />
Eufimia was delightful, large enough to satisfy our shopping and food supply needs and with good tavernas and more importantly power and water (11E).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The square with the HUGE olive tree root!</td></tr>
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The houses are beautifully maintained and as usual there are bougainvillas everywhere. It appears to be a very 'twee' sort of marina port, with streets very clean and tidy. Although costs were about the same as everywhere else, it seems the locals are very conscious about impressing the tourists!<br />
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Our boat moored right next to the promenade wharf which made the whole experience fairly pleasant.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night time along the promenade</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austral sitting very comfortably</td></tr>
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Some greek communities really know how to keep the visitors happy - this city even has an official sign indicating where to buy Gyros! Amazing!<br />
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FISKHADO<br />
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From Eufimia we tried to sail up the island to Fiskhado but had to settle for motoring once again.<br />
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Here we found a very up-market kind of marina and port but without the pleasantness of Eufimia with costs much higher and more touristy.<br />
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We moored up against the promenade and discovered that no power or water was available and that the power bollards were taped up and out of order. Pity, we might have stayed longer!<br />
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Perhaps the many fishing boats had greater priority.<br />
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As with every place we visit, cats are ever present, in shop windows, on streets, seated in restaurants and generally tolerated as part of everyday life.<br />
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From Fiskhado we left next morning for Nidri on Nisis Levkas.Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-67687531475789322202015-05-24T09:05:00.001-07:002015-05-24T09:05:29.807-07:00VATHI (ITHACA)We'd heard many stories about the island of Ithaca and how Homer's Odyssey attributed many of Odysseus' voyages to this area. There are many references to both Homer and Odysseus (Ulysses) around the island although it's hard to know exactly which are authentic or just myths. We decided to hire a car and travel up the narrow mountain roads past Stavros at Exogi to visit Homer's school (or the crumbling remains of it).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a well in the ruins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1DDWoDNKK3QXYV6R9y6R4p7KmSzXmu0Av9DIqRmWA8Nvyk-9QK5s2vPnfQn00-pkaaQLl7jG7gL7hQ44ZZ9PwG1LrZytgmt0leAQrw1gbwnkiRwU9i0c7ozmI7WGiLV_-aAwPPJzgps/s1600/DSC04066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1DDWoDNKK3QXYV6R9y6R4p7KmSzXmu0Av9DIqRmWA8Nvyk-9QK5s2vPnfQn00-pkaaQLl7jG7gL7hQ44ZZ9PwG1LrZytgmt0leAQrw1gbwnkiRwU9i0c7ozmI7WGiLV_-aAwPPJzgps/s400/DSC04066.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the ancient site (although these looked like they were more recent add-ons)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ruins of Homer's school</td></tr>
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The ruins were just that, although some areas where the huge stones remain appear to have withstood some 3000 yrs of neglect and looked very believable. Behind the School's ruins was the beginning of a stone path that headed up the mountain. We followed it up and<br />
felt fairly impressed with our efforts to climb a 700 ft rocky path to nearly the top. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYsbb0DZ2HxYL2DlFAdytnFBgUOvCZ1VT-_4OKImeqx6iw1ow6q3KBGMbG682SVYS5TKz1eLXMmadlTVgdKmaa4KgjouNSEpMAk4kQRCe5w5-gyjDmZjS1ElVXcuehyazwEkIZgUABoI/s1600/DSC04071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYsbb0DZ2HxYL2DlFAdytnFBgUOvCZ1VT-_4OKImeqx6iw1ow6q3KBGMbG682SVYS5TKz1eLXMmadlTVgdKmaa4KgjouNSEpMAk4kQRCe5w5-gyjDmZjS1ElVXcuehyazwEkIZgUABoI/s400/DSC04071.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ancient rocky steps</td></tr>
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From the top of the mountain steps you could see across the bay and beyond. It's a pity that Greek tourism has not made more of these sites. They seem to just be forgotten.<br />
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We did not really enjoy our time in Vathi marina. It is a large port that services the island and does not appear to concentrate on tourism. No water or power made our choice of just a couple of days easy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vathi</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking across to Cephalonia</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main street of Stavros</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frikes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The plaques commemorating the resistance in 1944</td></tr>
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We enjoyed our car trip to the rest of Ithaca especially Frikes and a small village in the centre of the island, Stavros.<br />
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Frikes is a quaint marina tucked in a bay on the north coast and appears to serve mostly local boats.<br />
It was also a sight where during WW2 local Greek citizens made a valiant attempt to protect the town from the invading German forces who at first were repelled and who then later captured the town, killing those who resisted.<br />
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<br />Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-67043751202232736272015-05-24T07:34:00.001-07:002015-05-24T07:34:26.614-07:00SIVOTA on LEVKASSivota is a delightful port. Located at the southern part of Levkas Island, the port is a perfect spot to stay for more than a day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken, Greek salad and grilled sardines</td></tr>
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We moored at Stavros' landing and were pleasantly surprised by the assistance given by the local taverna. Power and water is provided free by the restaurant in return we dine there at night. This simple solution is terrific, both parties gain.<br />
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The meals were very enjoyable and good value for money.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stavros Taverna</td></tr>
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The bay is utterly beautiful. From the restaurant we could see the entire bay full of boats and local restaurants.The local tavernas are covered in pelargoniums, roses and so many brightly coloured bougainvillias.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The amazing rubber tree growing across the ceiling of Stavros' restaurant</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our boat on the left with the bright blue bimini.</td></tr>
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It appears that Sivota is the main base for the Sailing Holidays flotilla. There were about 50 of these when we arrived and we've made a point of NOT going where they plan to sail!<br />
Most left the next day and the bars and restaurants were again quietly pleasant.<br />
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Our next stop is the Vathi, on the island of Ithaca, some 20 miles south.<br />
<br />Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-7887924670441997472015-05-18T05:05:00.001-07:002015-05-18T05:05:38.102-07:00MITIKAS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dVzhslUEtAPpErk_hq_OveeLYUgkgNUqxMSHCY25gSbsHus7tBf5dF93fuh72V8R1xKhxpygEx07pqySrHANaNvFOrCrmrt2eBvzaSIbwK0pIi54cV0fvRhjpQyE5Z3grvaOR51RpJ8/s1600/DSC04023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dVzhslUEtAPpErk_hq_OveeLYUgkgNUqxMSHCY25gSbsHus7tBf5dF93fuh72V8R1xKhxpygEx07pqySrHANaNvFOrCrmrt2eBvzaSIbwK0pIi54cV0fvRhjpQyE5Z3grvaOR51RpJ8/s400/DSC04023.jpg" width="225" /></a>From Spartakhori to Mitikas is around 9 miles and so we set out in the morning to reach the town on the other side of the bay by lunchtime. The trip was amazing. We seem to be rediscovering the fun and excitement in sailing each time we venture out.<br />
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With the gennaker out we managed to get 6.5kts from the same amount of wind.<br />
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The boat slid effortlessly through the water with the wind on a beam reach. There's always something satisfying about sailing with such a beautifully coloured sail. It's as though the wind is whispering gently yet at the same time pushing and pulling hard.<br />
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We motored the last mile into the small port of Mitikas and moored at the rather empty wharf. Still there is no water or power which is a real pity as the town itself has so much potential but cannot attract boats to visit and help fund the local businesses. Lunchtime, as with most Mediterranean ports, meant that the streets were deserted except for the odd taverna and cafes. We explored a little then settled back in the boat for our siesta.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The newly painted Orthodox Church</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Towards the Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sign says NO tractors, bikes or cars !!!!!!</td></tr>
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After a few hours David and I decided to find George, the ex-Canadian we met last year and who had returned 13 years ago to restart his family's small cafe. If only the rest of the population had his belief and determination for the town's future; perhaps they are happy to keep it as it is.<br />
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Once again we spent an hour discussing the Greek political situation, how it's hurting everyone and how the EU cannot provide solutions to the national disaster that's happening.<br />
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Our last coffee was overlooking the beautiful Inland Sea with mist gently hovering above the mirrored water. So beautiful!<br />
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Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-30815056724396893872015-05-16T00:52:00.001-07:002015-05-18T03:58:08.744-07:00SPARTAKHORIOur sail down to the Lefkas Channel was spectacular. 6kts all the way on a beam reach, with the sun above and the new sail behaving beautifully. The trip seemed to go much quicker than expected and so we reached the channel with half and hour to spare. As the rotating bridge only opens on the hour we sailed around the bay and then waited patiently to get through. The passage to Lefkas and to the the end of the narrow channel was much easier this year as the dredging was very effective. Boats need to motor though within a 20m channel and this year a poor unsuspecting yachtie decided to go around the dredge. Being stuck in the mud is not a pretty look! Been there, done that!<br />
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Once out into the Inland Sea everything felt like we'd never left. The sun shone, the sea rippled and the sails went up. Dave totally enjoyed the feeling of freedom on the water. He could not stop smiling.<br />
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That night we headed for Spartakhori, a small bay on Meganisi Island. We were surprised to see the old fingers nearly empty and the main wharf free to use (with water and electricity). The Porto Spilia restaurant provides all this for nothing and in return we dine at his place. A great service we really appreciated. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spartakhori Bay from the town above Porto Spilia</td></tr>
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The nights on the water are quiet, and still with usually a cool breeze to help sleeping although this will definitely change once the June summer days kick in.<br />
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We stayed for two nights then sailed up to Nidri and then across the Inland sea to Mitikas, some 9 miles away. Dave was pretty pleased with himself (although I a little less so) as we hit 7.4kts on a beam reach with both main and a reef in the headsail. He was quite amazed.Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-34066776491146769462015-05-14T03:08:00.003-07:002015-05-14T04:09:57.069-07:00PARGA and PREVEZAAfter leaving Corfu, we sailed to Parga and anchored in the Valtou Bay for the night. We love this spot as it's usually calm with a sandy bottom, excellent for anchoring. Surprisingly there was not one other boat in the bay as about 12 flotilla boats had berthed on the sandy shore. We felt a little lonely, but, as the weather was good we looked forward to a very pleasant night, gently rocking.<br />
Next morning we headed off to Preveza some 27miles south. We motored most of the way as the breeze was slight and we need to be in port before dark. Still, a very pleasant trip.<br />
Once into Preveza we berthed at the marina (never again alongside the main wharf after my tumble 2 yrs ago) and settled in for a couple of days.<br />
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We fell in love all over again with the city. It has all the charm of the small ports but also all the services of a large city. Lots of walking is necessary to discover all that it has to offer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main wharf (lined with bottlebrush)</td></tr>
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The tavernas, supermarkets, hardware stores and even a sewing shop are just off the main road. As we had plenty of 'jobs' to do on the boat, we spent hours keeping very busy on and off the boat. As usual, however we love spending time enjoying the small cafes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKF8IPBK8_rLyIZ-FmwoBcOlzgvwXviSHDWhA-jYqL2vUmgB_pMaRy-J3F1QZVYtwiF5uPRzQvOLlw1vq8YrpG8pP2DHbmxWXEMQxuAAJmpT_LvE8FrQ5XBEleyMOB_uxTaiWjmoi3l1Q/s1600/DSC04010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKF8IPBK8_rLyIZ-FmwoBcOlzgvwXviSHDWhA-jYqL2vUmgB_pMaRy-J3F1QZVYtwiF5uPRzQvOLlw1vq8YrpG8pP2DHbmxWXEMQxuAAJmpT_LvE8FrQ5XBEleyMOB_uxTaiWjmoi3l1Q/s320/DSC04010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical coffee stop - total 4 Euro</td></tr>
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The Ionian area is really quite small and sooner or later you come across someone you might have met days, weeks or even years ago. We received an email from a couple, Tim and Georgina, who were berthed just two piers down from us. They've spent the last 4 years travelling around the Aegean and have only now entered the Ionian area.<br />
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We met them first at the mouth of the Rhone, enjoyed their company, shared a meal and kept in touch. We met up and shared another excellent meal in a small taverna. So good to make contact again!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3820M6e7xzZ7XeVGE4ksLrBkooCVDUtMOvEH8-SWS_3ONDbK99jdhyphenhypheniTnoNnSIX3SqaLl80CCvtA48bYpn1w2rQBM4AYQrd21BQl9ZhEp66Sll7DP2IyTcESZG9nl3BoJybwef1Lcjpo/s1600/DSC04005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3820M6e7xzZ7XeVGE4ksLrBkooCVDUtMOvEH8-SWS_3ONDbK99jdhyphenhypheniTnoNnSIX3SqaLl80CCvtA48bYpn1w2rQBM4AYQrd21BQl9ZhEp66Sll7DP2IyTcESZG9nl3BoJybwef1Lcjpo/s400/DSC04005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim and Georgina</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ez0yKBUM7D3u5pupv_V_QzNW_5p35ovh7qoXd81bJMBsdfF7Aa6nga_8AawZMYq_iXnXSvs-b3Yt9PsfsigA3BIegIvO_kDJXE3kBh0atytbpC64BqE7xVppBBsF6thSZ2pWPigMyss/s1600/DSC04007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ez0yKBUM7D3u5pupv_V_QzNW_5p35ovh7qoXd81bJMBsdfF7Aa6nga_8AawZMYq_iXnXSvs-b3Yt9PsfsigA3BIegIvO_kDJXE3kBh0atytbpC64BqE7xVppBBsF6thSZ2pWPigMyss/s320/DSC04007.jpg" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">waiting for coffee</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmcwNIE7keVMsohfbXliYN9tufGuF04CIVAErGkkvlCPEvZ55LpRbHSuTObJsiIPXW3WRciTBlT7XYzDBstzxFXwYXCiXV145onZQ7CSVdp8XfG5oIsPrd8PtyBE6bkwI0YIvEhYaDgo/s1600/DSC03992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmcwNIE7keVMsohfbXliYN9tufGuF04CIVAErGkkvlCPEvZ55LpRbHSuTObJsiIPXW3WRciTBlT7XYzDBstzxFXwYXCiXV145onZQ7CSVdp8XfG5oIsPrd8PtyBE6bkwI0YIvEhYaDgo/s320/DSC03992.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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One of the things we have not done is explore the many ruins, so we
hired a small car and headed of to see Nikopolos, the ancient city built
by Octavius after his victory over Anthony and Cleopatra at Aktion. The
city was once huge with palaces, aqueducts and temples spread across
many kilometres. It is hard to imagine 180,000 men and 900 ships were
fighting here. Eventually Anthony fled with Cleopatra to Egypt where
they both committed suicide (someone should make a movie of it!!) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6gtq8RhxBpBoIhByC9kcK_Uhv_OPZWESybE228tQX_TyK2UNoT4hHEoU0y6hGl_louqz16SxlT8V0PHwTmid0j-8CV8GgCMCFGiQLcbxVvwAsxZMw4O_TJHF7_Dkyn3B4XG5ENbHYyw/s1600/DSC03997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6gtq8RhxBpBoIhByC9kcK_Uhv_OPZWESybE228tQX_TyK2UNoT4hHEoU0y6hGl_louqz16SxlT8V0PHwTmid0j-8CV8GgCMCFGiQLcbxVvwAsxZMw4O_TJHF7_Dkyn3B4XG5ENbHYyw/s320/DSC03997.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7rYcIicsCxr3eY82edhTQlYGbc16Ka2UgvkZ57WyQVF57N4eE_6Dz6N27ZK2Q4yhPFbobhTx19k2x-l5XahDpYDII2dYGAsw1UT0Lzq0X4UGQMhEPnFhPFk8fXtqNoCVwNU65HRfY9A/s1600/DSC04000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7rYcIicsCxr3eY82edhTQlYGbc16Ka2UgvkZ57WyQVF57N4eE_6Dz6N27ZK2Q4yhPFbobhTx19k2x-l5XahDpYDII2dYGAsw1UT0Lzq0X4UGQMhEPnFhPFk8fXtqNoCVwNU65HRfY9A/s320/DSC04000.jpg" width="180" /></a>We ventured further on to Kamarina and then to the monastery on top of the mountain. From here we could see the monument to the women of Souli.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Q41HpzQZ6NJWbyb-ZgHtVyacs-acuuTYde7wPG_pSx_q-fTxabWFqUxQD4StV8vKjmRNi2eP58NJZ-4pJOaP98fG5GDnrS1aie8kF5EjrIdUxuiEd9hrqnfAgFZF4Owq_uBC0dF_TOM/s1600/DSC03998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Q41HpzQZ6NJWbyb-ZgHtVyacs-acuuTYde7wPG_pSx_q-fTxabWFqUxQD4StV8vKjmRNi2eP58NJZ-4pJOaP98fG5GDnrS1aie8kF5EjrIdUxuiEd9hrqnfAgFZF4Owq_uBC0dF_TOM/s400/DSC03998.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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The monument of the
sculptor Zogolopoulos, which represents the "dance of Zalogos", is situated on
the rock from where the women of Souli fell down with their children, chased by the men of
the Turk Ali Pasha, who set aside his promise and persecuted the people of Souli in
December of 1803. The Soulians, in order to avoid the Albanian fighters of
Ali Pasha who were chasing them, were fortified in the monastery on the top, where they
resisted for two days. They stayed
in the monastery and were captured, while 57 women ran away. When they arrived on a rock, at
the top named Stefani, in order not to be captured by the Albanians, they threw their
children in the precipice of Acherontas river and then they commited suicide falling
themselves too. According to the tradition, they fell into the precipice dancing, one
after the other.<br />
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The afternoon came quickly and so we headed back to the marina. As luck would have it, the only day it decided to pour buckets of rain we were heading home hoping we hadn't left the windows open and the boat wouldn't be drenched. It was, just a little bit!!<br />
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The sun appeared as quickly as the rain had come, so after some quick drying all was back to normal again.<br />
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The next morning we sailed of once again, this time to the inland sea and Meganisi <br />
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<br />Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-36540657615145808122015-05-10T03:57:00.000-07:002015-05-10T03:57:08.832-07:00GAIOSWe headed off to the island of Gaios early next morning and had a pleasant sail for a couple of hours. The new genoa worked beautifully but we had to turn on the motor in order to reach the harbor before the flotilla arrived. Gaios was just as pretty as last year with winding streets full of shops and restaurants.<br />
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The locals are always friendly but also keen for business. A small baby we admired last year in a restaurant had now grown into a laughing toddler. Very cute!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYub1XXzOiol1YxU7StahfgRGpEJ-E1e53ot6Vj_zrNgxCx6qvLrMURQsNxwldpPYwHY9vUF6udfy5y3EegfnNpz2RNj0vtZ66TM-BJkd6H8ofqRenOY4xn3cTOR-3xNlhO5cX5hQSbBg/s1600/DSC03943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYub1XXzOiol1YxU7StahfgRGpEJ-E1e53ot6Vj_zrNgxCx6qvLrMURQsNxwldpPYwHY9vUF6udfy5y3EegfnNpz2RNj0vtZ66TM-BJkd6H8ofqRenOY4xn3cTOR-3xNlhO5cX5hQSbBg/s320/DSC03943.jpg" width="180" /></a> The relaxed nature of the locals easily entices you to take things easy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vWodjrGgWhJW9o-cbELr1qRWhqLOksiVs27JQAvvyCrlg9csCAvlKMRPQIxf1_GahtbtmFu5OiUd4gVa7lGHQSbjkt6X9S83rek5f-M3_q6N-b9T4e_aDkNSGasM5vhyphenhyphenirZzvbTZnT8/s1600/DSC03946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vWodjrGgWhJW9o-cbELr1qRWhqLOksiVs27JQAvvyCrlg9csCAvlKMRPQIxf1_GahtbtmFu5OiUd4gVa7lGHQSbjkt6X9S83rek5f-M3_q6N-b9T4e_aDkNSGasM5vhyphenhyphenirZzvbTZnT8/s320/DSC03946.JPG" width="320" /></a>Night-times are wonderful as the centre of town comes alive with happy tourists and playing children. We always feel very welcome in these small towns.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJVWCCSVYLvRUzWb1OdcAXFDKIBGtG9DTaX-ixGAGoqwt-IESEZpyBkDZjUXv_WB_5j7H864r1oIWFLBTvLN7UGrtk4L69RLblTG-Be7Fk32MEdaM_8z5RQru0LuteNVy-sfMI1ZhJGM/s1600/DSC03953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJVWCCSVYLvRUzWb1OdcAXFDKIBGtG9DTaX-ixGAGoqwt-IESEZpyBkDZjUXv_WB_5j7H864r1oIWFLBTvLN7UGrtk4L69RLblTG-Be7Fk32MEdaM_8z5RQru0LuteNVy-sfMI1ZhJGM/s320/DSC03953.jpg" width="210" /></a><br />
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We slept well , woken by a noisy gaggle of geese on the wharf and then headed off to Naok marina on Corfu where we would be saying goodbye to Petri.<br />
<br />Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-29597217107913195332015-05-09T05:10:00.001-07:002015-05-09T05:10:15.054-07:00IONINNANext morning we set off for Ionnina some 90km away from Sivota on an amazing new highway. We passed mountains, forests and blossoming cherry trees. There was even a toll of 2.40E.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow covered mountains in the distance</td></tr>
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The city is large with many facilities and although we were there to explore, we barely had time to enjoy the coffee by the lake and wander around the busy streets. Once again our tourist skills are not that fantastic, we have the best intentions but seem to always succumb to the yiros and coffee shops.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpatB707QJxoseJ78Klf1m51veLPL69PvG2EDWwsZzmZF0iOlx2OM3PK-HjS9Vv8cPkpIxJzoPczVLOV_CXOBijk4aG6RkAEwHkrk-Drh7xJuZ931GKmcocvxLESLB0zzryrbq4WyzA1k/s1600/DSC03931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpatB707QJxoseJ78Klf1m51veLPL69PvG2EDWwsZzmZF0iOlx2OM3PK-HjS9Vv8cPkpIxJzoPczVLOV_CXOBijk4aG6RkAEwHkrk-Drh7xJuZ931GKmcocvxLESLB0zzryrbq4WyzA1k/s320/DSC03931.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the ambience </td></tr>
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The renovated old buildings are coming back to life in the most striking way. The shop below shows how an old ruin can be modernised.<br />
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We headed back to beautiful Sivota and spent the rest of the evening relaxing by the water.<br />
<br />Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-67986605283812574332015-05-08T03:56:00.003-07:002015-05-08T10:14:33.151-07:00SAGHIADA and SIVOTA<style>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">SAGHIADA</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">The trip across
to Sagdiada was everything you could ask for. The boat behaved perfectly, catching
the light winds and slight swell with ease. Although the information we had
suggested the small marina could be too shallow, we had no problems. It was
surprisingly empty, making it a pleasure to be in. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">The restaurants
had a good range of seafood on offer and after an excellent meal we settled in
for a comfortable night in the marina. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Next morning we
set off south for Sivota, just past the ports of Igoumenitsa and Plataria.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">SIVOTA</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Sivota is one of
our favourite places to stop at on the mainland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The local authority has made an enormous effort to improve
the facilities and environment for visiting boats. There is power and water
available for an incredibly low charge (8E) and every effort has been made to
welcome visitors to the port. Shops are just starting to gear up for the summer
crowds so although it was still a little quiet, the atmosphere felt amazing. It
seemed as though the shops and houses had all had a new coat of paint, flowers
were everywhere and the locals were happily getting everything ready. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">A large flotilla
of charter boats came into port as we did making the wharf fairly crowded with
novice sailors from all over. Thank goodness the night was relatively quiet
with most of the music and merriment finishing by about midnight. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">We needed to pick
up our Transit Log and register our entrance to Greek waters in Igoumenitsa so
we decided to hire a car and do some touring around the countryside as well.
Last year we’d heard about an amazing café called Katies Cakes some 20 kms
inland. This worked out perfectly as we would also be picking up our hire car
there, so after a short bus trip the three of us arrived in Perdika.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyTD95qNkFuGqFmy_C-R12f1prXCqt2vhx3jOUK-_TORJGXbup7-QtPZt1RwjASGeKGnuLNmw_YzKFpDPfrb1NUCPEhP0WP3N563Qxr8-NZp3ZYbLy3ndufKdFRN5JJkZhtbOW67HARA/s1600/DSC03919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyTD95qNkFuGqFmy_C-R12f1prXCqt2vhx3jOUK-_TORJGXbup7-QtPZt1RwjASGeKGnuLNmw_YzKFpDPfrb1NUCPEhP0WP3N563Qxr8-NZp3ZYbLy3ndufKdFRN5JJkZhtbOW67HARA/s320/DSC03919.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Sadly the café was not yet open for the
season but we found an equally brilliant restaurant on the square and as usual
struck up an interesting conversation with the young owner regarding every
aspect of Greek politics and the sad state of the economy.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0T7lOO4UmL7mPX8Gae3fBXThdZLXT-SH0LsvHl5YqTlmZYyKNv3vTBHsCmb-YxE7_fjhmYGhHmo1AEnI5dyzpr6hgggr0xWdDp9y5HpJcIiQzK4ozJ4xuEWVRb0ytpYVSHZ6n7ben28M/s1600/DSC03926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0T7lOO4UmL7mPX8Gae3fBXThdZLXT-SH0LsvHl5YqTlmZYyKNv3vTBHsCmb-YxE7_fjhmYGhHmo1AEnI5dyzpr6hgggr0xWdDp9y5HpJcIiQzK4ozJ4xuEWVRb0ytpYVSHZ6n7ben28M/s320/DSC03926.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mega Amos Bay</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Our drive back
included a stop at Mega Amos, a most idyllic beach cove just north of Sivota. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_En2pTZJzGp5-iHhzCPLiOiqyzMPHQbmUKA16Cy83pdRCsYZ6QVf_G8KTMw5vj2nnthMARo6OTDdjNI0blbc7i6JQ8qJUZbNA3RTtGjYcXgjuywyvy0QCYaZ3J0yqY34OJ8z_qZM_KzU/s1600/DSC03922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_En2pTZJzGp5-iHhzCPLiOiqyzMPHQbmUKA16Cy83pdRCsYZ6QVf_G8KTMw5vj2nnthMARo6OTDdjNI0blbc7i6JQ8qJUZbNA3RTtGjYcXgjuywyvy0QCYaZ3J0yqY34OJ8z_qZM_KzU/s320/DSC03922.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlooking the beach</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">The beach at Mega Amos <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">is surrounded by a couple of family restaurants that run the beach chairs and provide great service. During the height of summer there are usually plenty of German and northern European scantily clad tourists sunbaking the shallows. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">In May it's fairly empty but beautiful. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuGjNOkfCeN2LlF39TNEQBQ9yGTRms1milGZ6EKC0YnfdzIyoyafmYuaz5YBhvLdbie3Wv8XaT_VfAkyYXf7tG2hibSybzumpp0vsn649FTf5EVhBOpgd4Gqs4QbqOBHmJsAtdvc8nUI/s1600/DSC03921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuGjNOkfCeN2LlF39TNEQBQ9yGTRms1milGZ6EKC0YnfdzIyoyafmYuaz5YBhvLdbie3Wv8XaT_VfAkyYXf7tG2hibSybzumpp0vsn649FTf5EVhBOpgd4Gqs4QbqOBHmJsAtdvc8nUI/s320/DSC03921.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petri enjoying the sun at Mega Amos</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">It was hard to leave the peacefulness of the bay but we needed to fill up with provisions so back we drove to Sivota.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Our next stop was Igoumenitsa where we needed to lodge our boat papers with the Port Police and the Customs office.</span></div>
Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-20050468539949128282015-05-08T00:43:00.004-07:002015-05-08T00:43:55.429-07:00CORFUWe arrived without fuss in Corfu with 70+ kg of 'very important' boat stuff. A quick taxi trip to the Naok marina and we were at last on our boat. We found our new renovated bathroom excellent and all was just as we had hoped.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5myJsXf0lBqQhNsQrFnuPmL9rT9WP2eHPC0U7G8lANVFPZ3D9QkRhghnXNdMdYYpPHuFLyJ7PSxD07ap-ZGtSwVozmOBWGspUaPsq4yRAdZoYlM1blCNyG8klJNpQWVMH3z9i3_6TV7I/s1600/DSC03916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5myJsXf0lBqQhNsQrFnuPmL9rT9WP2eHPC0U7G8lANVFPZ3D9QkRhghnXNdMdYYpPHuFLyJ7PSxD07ap-ZGtSwVozmOBWGspUaPsq4yRAdZoYlM1blCNyG8klJNpQWVMH3z9i3_6TV7I/s320/DSC03916.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new bathroom</td></tr>
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The weather was superb, warm, not too hot, a slight breeze and a beautiful city to explore on foot.<br />
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The marina is close to the main centre and so a quick walk to the nearest 2E pitta shop and all was good!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDz5zbk542uLYb6NdvrolQ4bZ7gnDftKVnlGqDfeWGWhmZehjltd_ihk91azNDT1ImK0g1e7axKWjKpCuLRPX7GoUE7jpCrr3ip_GBdajlgRhBbwy93yQi8ZMayR87rSrv03uJikoNxIs/s1600/DSC03914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDz5zbk542uLYb6NdvrolQ4bZ7gnDftKVnlGqDfeWGWhmZehjltd_ihk91azNDT1ImK0g1e7axKWjKpCuLRPX7GoUE7jpCrr3ip_GBdajlgRhBbwy93yQi8ZMayR87rSrv03uJikoNxIs/s320/DSC03914.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corfu children learning about sailing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUPlNSjO0A4gwoCCxwFjz-cb-1qtLi1-eZ3p0yokv8bHvvRDR3MTXiY8G3wPWaR9fCddK2TdbMgbzNQsVh5WEGUO3IxIu7ApY8DqUp6D62PHdU1jVeWhVaDxjGkta7XhQHpBBv1PYKD4/s1600/DSC03911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUPlNSjO0A4gwoCCxwFjz-cb-1qtLi1-eZ3p0yokv8bHvvRDR3MTXiY8G3wPWaR9fCddK2TdbMgbzNQsVh5WEGUO3IxIu7ApY8DqUp6D62PHdU1jVeWhVaDxjGkta7XhQHpBBv1PYKD4/s320/DSC03911.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Naok marina from above</td></tr>
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Corfu town is a delightful city to visit, especially in the early season, as the crowds are small and the streets are full of excellent restaurants. An added bonus is the amazing cost of eating the local dishes. We find the Greek people genuine and helpful even though our 'kalimeras' and 'efkaristos' are probably hopeless.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheF4hYhaCa4tThcV3b9RLgO0KGW0nvnnBoOvEFTu8E2u7EZSAUqdRrLbsmKOul0XWOK-o5gOuMX1n2sQd8-_tkg-a-MhUy9u2YN63EPGCVu5EcloZKBQ5DOMoxeNkg1crWOtuT6r1-0FY/s1600/DSC03908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheF4hYhaCa4tThcV3b9RLgO0KGW0nvnnBoOvEFTu8E2u7EZSAUqdRrLbsmKOul0XWOK-o5gOuMX1n2sQd8-_tkg-a-MhUy9u2YN63EPGCVu5EcloZKBQ5DOMoxeNkg1crWOtuT6r1-0FY/s320/DSC03908.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greek pastries!</td></tr>
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We feel very comfortable in Corfu town and could possibly spend a lot more time there and moving around the island. <br />
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Too much time can definitely be spent drinking coffee and Amstels lounging around looking at the ocean. <br />
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Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-45778277904737795852015-05-08T00:13:00.002-07:002015-05-08T00:13:44.916-07:00ADELAIDE - AMSTERDAM - WEERTAfter 24 gruelling hours flying we arrived at Schipol airport surprisingly refreshed. Petri had sent us a rail card and so the journey to Weert was very simple.<br />
Weert was so beautifully organised with so much history. Petri showed us around the town, we drank local beer and spent the rest of the night exploring the streets and squares.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SgyDT5hyJexIuyLNJlzKBj8PcMWf4mNGffYNPLu5zF_W2jgbHIIScEJk_nvC8tP296dt39KjR1o7lWBIM_858RWqu9TfDj16Kv4EWelILD_7eH9MRKP84vKGeMaR3PrgseeUj9V7qQE/s1600/DSC03900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SgyDT5hyJexIuyLNJlzKBj8PcMWf4mNGffYNPLu5zF_W2jgbHIIScEJk_nvC8tP296dt39KjR1o7lWBIM_858RWqu9TfDj16Kv4EWelILD_7eH9MRKP84vKGeMaR3PrgseeUj9V7qQE/s320/DSC03900.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical street in Weert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUt_YySzW4PBG8PcAE1YRlhvPoAEPZ2gpq3oVmZKTKX41bFKwXJ2ztVPtoWESgGIcIo2uc3IwZjk46b-6vW_72fkLTZy8cWDEQQ6FKplRiQEkW7TC6L4JWipEWU2dB_OWVWeFlrRelw4/s1600/DSC03902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUt_YySzW4PBG8PcAE1YRlhvPoAEPZ2gpq3oVmZKTKX41bFKwXJ2ztVPtoWESgGIcIo2uc3IwZjk46b-6vW_72fkLTZy8cWDEQQ6FKplRiQEkW7TC6L4JWipEWU2dB_OWVWeFlrRelw4/s320/DSC03902.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petri in front of the house she was born in</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SUIaFp2EfaKj-rTPtSFldlOPxe_iSveix5zEp-8yhX9snJsWrt2pKFyGa_7IgxIcRaHy0IiPNRoGOkUc8XEBU4F-8whkPlkNzQ5VFuuc4bxN1XpfFVQyHx-rLGv16FEt01Y9IInIxWA/s1600/DSC03903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SUIaFp2EfaKj-rTPtSFldlOPxe_iSveix5zEp-8yhX9snJsWrt2pKFyGa_7IgxIcRaHy0IiPNRoGOkUc8XEBU4F-8whkPlkNzQ5VFuuc4bxN1XpfFVQyHx-rLGv16FEt01Y9IInIxWA/s320/DSC03903.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unbelievable - doggie strollers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkorllo10BRWdZ9nJWRseC2jeCqrEMbWGDC7g_2uqqMZEeAo0ec6GkfRwI98PblFnFbsO3Hgf9PSAAug6UygxsQ7OAtMT5kVKI9wwsy3C7lb3uwcIHXwQ7AlYJEG0TtWmHABPYDvwo_w/s1600/DSC03906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkorllo10BRWdZ9nJWRseC2jeCqrEMbWGDC7g_2uqqMZEeAo0ec6GkfRwI98PblFnFbsO3Hgf9PSAAug6UygxsQ7OAtMT5kVKI9wwsy3C7lb3uwcIHXwQ7AlYJEG0TtWmHABPYDvwo_w/s320/DSC03906.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheese, cheese, cheese.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYmFwhBWTEGMdJzoV8SsjeQ_sJ1OKh6-esy-qGucw5Iebu1wwgWmAS34BNU_0WNXPl4HAtEeRGMTYNe_NcQCk8U-13DYZNONwGq62ZEXjmk1MGflb7t2OS_lyjuwilcg9EsjWPjHRu2I/s1600/DSC03910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYmFwhBWTEGMdJzoV8SsjeQ_sJ1OKh6-esy-qGucw5Iebu1wwgWmAS34BNU_0WNXPl4HAtEeRGMTYNe_NcQCk8U-13DYZNONwGq62ZEXjmk1MGflb7t2OS_lyjuwilcg9EsjWPjHRu2I/s320/DSC03910.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Town square</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next morning we headed off to Eindhoven to catch the Ryanair flight to Corfu. So simple!Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-4761164937016587782015-02-05T02:02:00.001-08:002015-02-05T02:02:04.310-08:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGusAGaD_8GOlgnyAgpEopFCiGMCHPwMn71SCJ1jrIJ6ENoo1xoSXVw9cZ1f3m0-qwqonMEBQgiDBvvYc6hRC1ukCJqHNTxI2QN9v04z6mqdXOycJ1Thulzt7dNv-JosLSwuD_7lzgJI-v/s1600/3946104-3x2-940x627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGusAGaD_8GOlgnyAgpEopFCiGMCHPwMn71SCJ1jrIJ6ENoo1xoSXVw9cZ1f3m0-qwqonMEBQgiDBvvYc6hRC1ukCJqHNTxI2QN9v04z6mqdXOycJ1Thulzt7dNv-JosLSwuD_7lzgJI-v/s1600/3946104-3x2-940x627.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bags all packed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />David and Anne lymnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557146308529777168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-64689338849161889192015-02-05T01:54:00.002-08:002015-02-05T01:54:32.764-08:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wHPqxreNipiKn9mG8efI7RULrfxx7i39LhVizRGYG1alfmLMc72B9EIdCWorVSwZgVFeG8I4j_YZMFjdVK9g5v_e1FN4AuMeeWrJbVCtticqy01yXUXoYV-C4tBLWkA0tDhqubPXXaoC/s1600/extreme-ironing-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wHPqxreNipiKn9mG8efI7RULrfxx7i39LhVizRGYG1alfmLMc72B9EIdCWorVSwZgVFeG8I4j_YZMFjdVK9g5v_e1FN4AuMeeWrJbVCtticqy01yXUXoYV-C4tBLWkA0tDhqubPXXaoC/s1600/extreme-ironing-3.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne doing the chores</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />David and Anne lymnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557146308529777168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-28292321878772231122014-06-18T09:52:00.003-07:002014-06-19T11:14:26.508-07:00AGNI BAY<span style="font-size: small;">We left Benitses without any sentiment; it was not a place we want to love. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The
trip up the Corfu coast was pleasantly diverting as we pondered the
stories behind the occasional tunnel dug into the cliff face, the
history of the Achilleon palace whose gardens come down to the
shoreline, the new fort at Corfu, 'Mon Repos' the huge mansion where
Phil the Greek was born, and so on. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGF-l23nRRQvb4_hrclKUZs9z0x_y8qL3ahowl-8mqkZUcc-ZX0LfKu-M4Wgw61DAKeSKI7LObI4rn0503VshuZVZ0rvj2eMEJaivxP37PwwdIsRnKvTQFdV-advb1yCsIpWHPnp_s3Y/s1600/CORFU+CASTLE.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGF-l23nRRQvb4_hrclKUZs9z0x_y8qL3ahowl-8mqkZUcc-ZX0LfKu-M4Wgw61DAKeSKI7LObI4rn0503VshuZVZ0rvj2eMEJaivxP37PwwdIsRnKvTQFdV-advb1yCsIpWHPnp_s3Y/s1600/CORFU+CASTLE.jpg" height="290" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The fort at Corfu Town</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDS5Ui-tDBB3AD0x_CV6zW7xGAqlUQTzUQLfZ1MIzG4zAkkBho-WIS_g38kAvzAOsAiSiKlT3gmOkC8SLDSJM84zZIDByXEIP_hvJV6lsp3vfYI03RFcXGfjl784PMCN1BlSMXVjVbm4/s1600/PHIL'S+HOUSE.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDS5Ui-tDBB3AD0x_CV6zW7xGAqlUQTzUQLfZ1MIzG4zAkkBho-WIS_g38kAvzAOsAiSiKlT3gmOkC8SLDSJM84zZIDByXEIP_hvJV6lsp3vfYI03RFcXGfjl784PMCN1BlSMXVjVbm4/s1600/PHIL'S+HOUSE.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mon Repos - Prince Phillip's birthplace</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgiqoRGssWB5UKTv0VhxPUHdfEo_n_VEFjSBbfNgsNC0u8D5pweols9m2rn0mqMeNQKXOtZkmLAt8yBzTG97BonnbrhibRmRGzCqflrK7crBWJn6PDcSNOq4B2XfgsaXfNTJAc_5zAAs/s1600/DSC03260.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgiqoRGssWB5UKTv0VhxPUHdfEo_n_VEFjSBbfNgsNC0u8D5pweols9m2rn0mqMeNQKXOtZkmLAt8yBzTG97BonnbrhibRmRGzCqflrK7crBWJn6PDcSNOq4B2XfgsaXfNTJAc_5zAAs/s1600/DSC03260.jpg" height="348" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our boat at the end of the small jetty</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Soon we dropped anchor in Agni Bay and at the beckoning of the tavern staff, tied up at the end of the jetty at Taverna Nikolas.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">We knew we were expected to lunch there and so forewent
Toula’s to have whitebait cooked by Nikolas’ wife, Voula (absolutely
true).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lCVwp0H1960N8QLp2ljZ8delnhRhfNlB9xEcRQf_nsWtw9GBGOMHnJ4ZmrlJs5Xp3cZFQDdlXM_r2dQoA5FQilTczSf_wUowyaFqtWHkfd_Nj2AhCC2RdZTGqcqyuvdrUrI09BbEo5c/s1600/DSC03265.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lCVwp0H1960N8QLp2ljZ8delnhRhfNlB9xEcRQf_nsWtw9GBGOMHnJ4ZmrlJs5Xp3cZFQDdlXM_r2dQoA5FQilTczSf_wUowyaFqtWHkfd_Nj2AhCC2RdZTGqcqyuvdrUrI09BbEo5c/s1600/DSC03265.jpg" height="321" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">the bay</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8D-mLRohow6fDDdpvcuiudyw-rsFpM08W4ODWqyYrPftOX_j3-cSWixfOZfMHZZIk86tq_XHUmWM77RoG4aD1PEHIEbYAnRGAYFCHN9ntHdld794RbkpDKFmuQX3hYCLVkKHl-KVJrg/s1600/DSC03266.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8D-mLRohow6fDDdpvcuiudyw-rsFpM08W4ODWqyYrPftOX_j3-cSWixfOZfMHZZIk86tq_XHUmWM77RoG4aD1PEHIEbYAnRGAYFCHN9ntHdld794RbkpDKFmuQX3hYCLVkKHl-KVJrg/s1600/DSC03266.jpg" height="356" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Boats anchored in Agni bay</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3G0FyzHtVgWXLncjOdpTCo-i31Ea3ZHWOX_wTosdnPuqHARwfrz6Cm7djqdt0xBiv-v6TMLMfj8mSsvYIP7UQqZKVBEArvyEKxr44Bp_zYG5bt1tLRM-YxxhOnaqRHhb9_EAOfEVEpN0/s1600/DSC03268.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3G0FyzHtVgWXLncjOdpTCo-i31Ea3ZHWOX_wTosdnPuqHARwfrz6Cm7djqdt0xBiv-v6TMLMfj8mSsvYIP7UQqZKVBEArvyEKxr44Bp_zYG5bt1tLRM-YxxhOnaqRHhb9_EAOfEVEpN0/s1600/DSC03268.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Children playing by the taverna</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Lrpg3T05JXXm6MvA5Gqwfy6geeWxn6cLR3_LSCwXWlUsCI1Pby8QOATP0mHUL5koTw-5VGQO0ZJHXZK-0bN3cPm6b0D3WgwzrRm-axBnRSahdHIqpUIp76OZncz7Xpot8HE_vV7wAu0/s1600/DSC03269.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Lrpg3T05JXXm6MvA5Gqwfy6geeWxn6cLR3_LSCwXWlUsCI1Pby8QOATP0mHUL5koTw-5VGQO0ZJHXZK-0bN3cPm6b0D3WgwzrRm-axBnRSahdHIqpUIp76OZncz7Xpot8HE_vV7wAu0/s1600/DSC03269.jpg" height="232" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Toula's taverna</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPjF2uZAIzZaieP2W4BZgMFhuEsGjnlLsnH5kZ60ycmuULqNQKCM9-anu3t10M1eUeUiVoUabedU5vtaaZFZOr0cpmTOLoZmjhrSVleSpNLRlOL5wQk2F0PAuHY_MVBoueJvjRDuNkDA/s1600/DSC03267.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPjF2uZAIzZaieP2W4BZgMFhuEsGjnlLsnH5kZ60ycmuULqNQKCM9-anu3t10M1eUeUiVoUabedU5vtaaZFZOr0cpmTOLoZmjhrSVleSpNLRlOL5wQk2F0PAuHY_MVBoueJvjRDuNkDA/s1600/DSC03267.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">We spent the afternoon resting, Anne went for a swim, and then we did as little as possible in the heat of the day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Agni Bay is very pretty. The hills all
around are covered in conifers and olives. There is a sprinkling of
villas, but the bay appears to be quite isolated. However, around the
corners but out of sight are large hotels. Nikolas is smart enough to
offer a free boat taxi to both of them and so his taverna was full for
lunch and dinner. The tourists are mostly British and there seems to be a
tradition of remembering Nikolas and his family as he remembers the
tourists and their family; very twee, but somehow nice.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Now at dusk, the sea is calm apart from the roll of wake
from passing boats every now and then. The chatter of diners drifts
across the water, swallows twitter and fend off cats near the tavernas,
Greek music is playing in the background. The 6 sailing boats including 2
large Lagoons drift around their anchor chains and the mistiness over
the Albanian hills is starting to obscure the town opposite us, some 10
miles away.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">We are relaxed, renewed and resolved to live this life for as long as we can lift the sails.</span>Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-81113861835600650012014-06-18T09:47:00.003-07:002014-06-19T11:19:33.581-07:00BENITSES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We had heard many stories about the small port of Benitses, just south of Corfu Town and so decided to visit for a day or two. It was disappointing to say the least - no power,no water, fairly grubby and a rather difficult harbour to moor in. Apparently the local authority (govt,council etc) decided not to finish the marina, and so everything is in place but nothing works. As well most of the power units are broken.<br />
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Many of the boats around us were very poorly kept, some looked like they permanently parked there. Perhaps the lack of good facilities, ie free, mooring attracts poorly kept boats. Anyway, the stay was very ordinary.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0rBvZY3HpMHjm8_6HAb_YhCBasl2VD6G4EkyYjFtZwA3yB_ccebbRPpvPXHcqCpe2NRbLq9_AliwgclkKaUzKgmS9Y8VinXI3nFrrIydOu7DGdzCVeQbseZGpo1J_FMsGHL6mwxug5M/s1600/MARINA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0rBvZY3HpMHjm8_6HAb_YhCBasl2VD6G4EkyYjFtZwA3yB_ccebbRPpvPXHcqCpe2NRbLq9_AliwgclkKaUzKgmS9Y8VinXI3nFrrIydOu7DGdzCVeQbseZGpo1J_FMsGHL6mwxug5M/s1600/MARINA.jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The marina</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHPvNBzSUBnd6Z3lsdHKa9OBeBy82RoHtccsCo17rNXRk5ez2oJ-m8EuitD8E3VBUZFAiS7rJGwoQN7gMYvyKhFkFxaSBeMjNG-DgocPps1Dr4NqNsgzdjRV5u7Q5ntoAOPpvHhQtllY/s1600/FRUIT+TRUCK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHPvNBzSUBnd6Z3lsdHKa9OBeBy82RoHtccsCo17rNXRk5ez2oJ-m8EuitD8E3VBUZFAiS7rJGwoQN7gMYvyKhFkFxaSBeMjNG-DgocPps1Dr4NqNsgzdjRV5u7Q5ntoAOPpvHhQtllY/s1600/FRUIT+TRUCK.jpg" height="233" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One saving grace - the fruit and vegs are great</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The town square</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QftnVML-i2LyCleuOTjSawNP6J6sYsWIioVMcNrzSiO6Xypzx-sR-1dSw4SReEGsg-8yVUDdDFqligH6nAOS4JVI9R6s5sWcKIX9WkD7yAvvxGsWYeoq-R1A-F29sePUbPcLd8KjAJ4/s1600/AGIOS+GORDIOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QftnVML-i2LyCleuOTjSawNP6J6sYsWIioVMcNrzSiO6Xypzx-sR-1dSw4SReEGsg-8yVUDdDFqligH6nAOS4JVI9R6s5sWcKIX9WkD7yAvvxGsWYeoq-R1A-F29sePUbPcLd8KjAJ4/s1600/AGIOS+GORDIOS.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9c6zHwl6zLEdCoFxGK_iuFMlMGpux7xZHeneUhrlAVceFN-QppoYXdHTb1dmiW9Vz9sflI9GPNrqDQX84F8YFZR1P9zFLHvZSnHTBkHpnuT7t7anwhnuE0rvMeA_P_LYFwQ_pLpRUUOU/s1600/AG+UMBRELLAS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9c6zHwl6zLEdCoFxGK_iuFMlMGpux7xZHeneUhrlAVceFN-QppoYXdHTb1dmiW9Vz9sflI9GPNrqDQX84F8YFZR1P9zFLHvZSnHTBkHpnuT7t7anwhnuE0rvMeA_P_LYFwQ_pLpRUUOU/s1600/AG+UMBRELLAS.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a>We hired a bike again and took off into the mountains and villages surrounding Benitses.<br />
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Travelling through the countryside beyond the east cost was amazing. Small plots of land and picturesque farms dotted the valleys. It was easy to see how you could fall in love with the rural lifestyle.<br />
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We continued on to the west side of Corfu, down to the rather touristy beaches, had a bite to eat and left feeling a little overwhelmed by the 'beach' culture - a bit too commercially developed! <br />
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Our last memories of Benitses were not so positive. Our chain was caught on another boat's anchor and after an embarrassing lift we were able to motor out of the marina on our way to hopefully happier times at Agni further north.Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-57300787544697130752014-06-15T00:29:00.000-07:002014-06-15T00:29:04.780-07:00PARGA revisitedParga and Valtos Bay always brings back great memories and so we decided to drop in on our homeward journey. Anchoring was perfect, the sea was calm and the weather quite warm.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our boat (2nd from right)</td></tr>
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One thing we've learned about this part of Greece is the potential for sudden changes of weather. Sure enough, just as we had finished eating, a massive summer storm hit the bay. Boats dragged their anchors, one collided with another (both were very brand new), rain poured down and generally things were a bit scary. The storm lasted about 1 hour then disappeared as quickly as it it came. Our boat just stood firm, the anchor as solid a rock and no harm was done. An interesting experience!Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-43219589904127427092014-06-09T08:26:00.002-07:002014-06-09T08:26:46.425-07:00SPILIA<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">We had checked out Spilia while riding
around Meganisi and decided it was a rather beautiful spot to visit after Mitikas
and so, we sailed into the small privately run marina and settled in for the
night. We had heard that mooring, electricity and water were free at the port
as long as you bought a meal at the restaurant. We did so and had a brilliant,
relatively inexpensive meal (20 Euro for two). We would have had dinner at the
restaurant anyway so this was a good solution. David had Greek lamb casserole
baked in an alfoil packet that was utterly heavenly. Mine was the tastiest
stuffed aubergine.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our boat at the dock</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"> We decided to stay another day, and catch up with the second
lot of curtain making and generally take it easy. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The excellent marina restaurant</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">After 2 nights we decided to spend a day
just sailing across the inland sea catching as much wind as possible from
Meganisi to Nidri and then back to Spilia. We sailed and sailed, touching 6.5
kts in the most beautiful beam reach conditions. Once again David was a happy,
happy boy!!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rather large 'Wally' next to our boat</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Late in the afternoon we headed back to
Spilia, moored at the next wharf (cost 5 Euro electricity and water) and settled
in for the night By 6pm the seas had turned and we experienced a massive storm,
raging 30kt winds and generally unpleasant conditions. Thank goodness we were
safely tucked up in the marina!</span></span></div>
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<br />Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-73121777112716781032014-06-08T00:50:00.001-07:002014-06-08T00:50:15.651-07:00MITIKAS and KALAMOSFor some time, we've been fantasising about buying a house in Greece. Mitikas seemed to be a small port that might fit the bill and so, after locating a couple of places for sale on the internet, we sailed over to Mitikas to check out the real estate. It's a lovely, quiet little town, very much undiscovered in the Ionian area (no one seemed to know much about it) and perhaps for good reason. Apparently it's very popular with locals from the inland towns during summer and the tiny marina becomes unavailable to any visiting yachts. As it was, there was limited space, no electricity or water and the town is positioned at the end of fierce north westerly winds that blow all summer. Probably not such a good place to be!<br />
The sea level is about 20cms below land. I cant imagine how global warming will eventually affect the town.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTl_NxyS8nBZ15KOK_F4u-rDrPygLAWg87XPtFv1IzFNFF-PDrYo62RyP3jhhWbZ9ThbKEBKlhcv3EPCvQtRChvcB9t__uuBmRB080PZSsgyFyd4zMbSup_56s4n5jZNRw6gtZz6x3Wc/s1600/DSC03183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTl_NxyS8nBZ15KOK_F4u-rDrPygLAWg87XPtFv1IzFNFF-PDrYo62RyP3jhhWbZ9ThbKEBKlhcv3EPCvQtRChvcB9t__uuBmRB080PZSsgyFyd4zMbSup_56s4n5jZNRw6gtZz6x3Wc/s1600/DSC03183.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The small restaurants were excellent. Many seemed to concentrate on traditional dishes and were delicious.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkRJ_LF94tCyezvLDtgj3PlO4tv6aMJYp_y1DbO-QmirttF5hbWMRUONwzkoHZeEZBWcByKIfXm5fLwmkXyCPpsulB0Q0pEZvnJDHER_06fBdRef0MQyFMkOIgzWHXQOVkCx5SN5Nd44/s1600/DSC03184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkRJ_LF94tCyezvLDtgj3PlO4tv6aMJYp_y1DbO-QmirttF5hbWMRUONwzkoHZeEZBWcByKIfXm5fLwmkXyCPpsulB0Q0pEZvnJDHER_06fBdRef0MQyFMkOIgzWHXQOVkCx5SN5Nd44/s1600/DSC03184.jpg" height="187" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />We spent some time chatting with the locals, who felt there town was missing out on the tourist progress being made in the Ionian because of too much complacency and bureaucracy.<br />
<br />
KALAMOS <br />
<br />
We had a brilliant sail to Kalamos where we took refuge from a summer gale that covered the boat in brown dust apparently brought on the winds from Africa. We walked up the steep roads above the marina to explore the town, but realised how difficult it would be to organise and carry every piece of wood and nail from the mainland.<br />
That night we went to the marina restaurant for dinner but were told that they have no mastercard facilities. This would not be a problem as we could pay next time or even next year! Imagine this happening in Australia.<br />
<br />
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</div>
<br />Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-35876716158791082892014-06-07T23:49:00.000-07:002014-06-07T23:55:34.884-07:00NIDRIOur experiences in Nidri last year left us feeling that this was a port we could miss visiting in the future. Our visit had been during the hottest weather, tourists were everywhere and more importantly, our boat was berthed at a pontoon that ponged with sewerage outfall. We didn't expect great times this year.<br />
How wrong we were. The weather was perfect (so no need for the air-con), the tourists were light on the ground and there was no sewerage to be seen. We stayed for 3 days with access to electricity and water and had a brilliant time enjoying the gyros(pita), coffee and spanikopita.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadRQpMeR8QoQGU3NcfKqM1DQNgZ66AWxa8jYND0vWQXUPsoIzmEgXw3Lhm2t-ZftDFB4Rcm-u_jm_PqArjGeKZgHnAJSwbGqEZC6fKnIx49V-JuCZfC0wuuHYeoQEbgg5iEXPvWJ2XkY/s1600/DSC03190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadRQpMeR8QoQGU3NcfKqM1DQNgZ66AWxa8jYND0vWQXUPsoIzmEgXw3Lhm2t-ZftDFB4Rcm-u_jm_PqArjGeKZgHnAJSwbGqEZC6fKnIx49V-JuCZfC0wuuHYeoQEbgg5iEXPvWJ2XkY/s1600/DSC03190.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every morning, the flowers were swept.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YONAKhp-1-cOtGEcyD6mD54rNYVF6ayPZ-GcSEagiUY_PhHuA-YEaSUax3bDI4p5mnQsjncZr40ybMJtTTyYgTw83Uj_s8Id8onhyphenhyphen2HKaPmrTJosZkLKyEbrNFGCMfPf5aDll223Kqg/s1600/DSC03191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YONAKhp-1-cOtGEcyD6mD54rNYVF6ayPZ-GcSEagiUY_PhHuA-YEaSUax3bDI4p5mnQsjncZr40ybMJtTTyYgTw83Uj_s8Id8onhyphenhyphen2HKaPmrTJosZkLKyEbrNFGCMfPf5aDll223Kqg/s1600/DSC03191.jpg" height="400" width="367" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing strawberries!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Neilson pontoon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Out came my trusty sewing machine and the cabin curtains started to take shape. The original press-stud covers have always looked old and scrappy so now we <u>nearly</u> have blue full length blockouts (courtesy of Spotlight), perfectly sliding tracks and above all sun protection and privacy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKDx6Gz-xw91JZYhDo-LkwUbpQZWLDwRC0VzlnC984bclXbCL8y22GSxh1ZnjUKTyLZ-fo1r5Q8SGR_S7hU5AkevD327rivXij-aI73nyesa4s4VDGLWV5APbYsKOyliUR-UuMwcycOs/s1600/DSC03202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKDx6Gz-xw91JZYhDo-LkwUbpQZWLDwRC0VzlnC984bclXbCL8y22GSxh1ZnjUKTyLZ-fo1r5Q8SGR_S7hU5AkevD327rivXij-aI73nyesa4s4VDGLWV5APbYsKOyliUR-UuMwcycOs/s1600/DSC03202.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Our first experiences with bike hiring in Vathi were incredibly positive, so another scooter later, we ventured to Lefkas,13 kms north. In the past, walking for hours always takes the joy out of exploring towns during the heat of the day. Riding is invigorating and gives you access to places beyond the immediate area you happen to land in.<br />
<br />
<br />
From Nidri we sailed in perfect conditions to Mitika, a small port on the mainland.Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-21958464157738233382014-06-05T05:39:00.000-07:002014-06-08T00:20:59.326-07:00TECHIES' CORNER<style>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">THE BATTERY MONITOR SAGA</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_Yr5oiHsKtgAIcd4ng8zVVymJ2_FTL8e41M_U2FYDPypuh_S8v9RN2cSjf0ZiadRQGDTicgYslpAMCHUtc4HvwlAmNVzbmy-zd61mwJCYu2c6KCQWovDDV3SWxqkVlOj0QzKupoQdIY/s1600/product_4830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_Yr5oiHsKtgAIcd4ng8zVVymJ2_FTL8e41M_U2FYDPypuh_S8v9RN2cSjf0ZiadRQGDTicgYslpAMCHUtc4HvwlAmNVzbmy-zd61mwJCYu2c6KCQWovDDV3SWxqkVlOj0QzKupoQdIY/s1600/product_4830.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">When we bought the boat, the battery monitor
didn’t work.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"> “Never mind,” I said. “It won’t make
any difference.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Three deep cycle batteries later I decided to try
to fix it. I noticed that a small variable resistor was corroded and had fallen to
pieces. I was able to get an identical one from Jaycar and solder it into
the printed circuit. It worked. Back on board the boat I installed it and
happpily went about charging batteries and keeping an eye on them so that they
didn’t overcharge (the cause of our defunct deep cycle batteries which was
caused by our smart charger losing massive quantities of smartness)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">I wasn’t entirely pleased with the crude and
uncalibrated display and so searched aliexpress for voltmeters. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Here’s an
example: </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.aliexpress.com/item/R1B1-Portable-Digital-Voltmeter-DC0-100V-Red-Light-LED-Panel-Voltage-Meter/1243447711.html"><span style="color: #1b429c; text-decoration: none;">http://www.aliexpress.com/item/R1B1-Portable-Digital-Voltmeter-DC0-100V-Red-Light-LED-Panel-Voltage-Meter/1243447711.html</span></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Total cost US$2.74. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">I bought three and housed
them in a little box. Each one goes to a
different battery and I have put a switch on the common negative lead so that I
can turn easily turn them off. They are great. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFW5OJq7FDDitUhs6OB-zUGW3Wt7dvcm7kEVRCBSWnAT3u3YU7kWQQcQmu9z3VK2gdKUVhTZ3_5zJPFfbMj5TwS3-8HT-QOEi0padjZuqClPh1vocwwU_RsprGLUY4a9NTjenOfA4YkqY/s1600/DSC03186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFW5OJq7FDDitUhs6OB-zUGW3Wt7dvcm7kEVRCBSWnAT3u3YU7kWQQcQmu9z3VK2gdKUVhTZ3_5zJPFfbMj5TwS3-8HT-QOEi0padjZuqClPh1vocwwU_RsprGLUY4a9NTjenOfA4YkqY/s1600/DSC03186.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">We can see how the
motor alternators are working (see the Alternator saga), check how the wind
generator is working and manage the dumb charger so that the batteries are kept
in good condition.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">All up less than $20 and a very happy outcome</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">THE ALTERNATOR SAGA</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Last year our service battery alternator stopped
working. Unfortunately, we could only buy a replacement as the place we
were in didn’t have anyone that could repair it. This year we set out, but soon
noticed that the batteries weren’t getting charged (see the Battery Monitor
Saga). </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">So miles from nowhere and with the motor running, I took off the engine
covers to have a look. All OK, but just to make sure, I pulled on each wire to
see whether it was firm. The active lead, which had a difficult-to-see
terminal, was hanging loose. The nut had fallen off (vibration).
Touching the wire on to the possible terminal created a strong spark on one and
nothing on the other. I took a punt that the alternator was working and
that I wasn’t shorting it out. The new meters helped here too. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">So all I needed
was a new nut. All the nuts in my little supply were too big, too small or
imperial thread instead of metric. I scoured the boat and eventually
found a nut on a camera mount that worked. Off with the motor and on with the
lead and nut. The nut was tight because my sparking tests had damaged the
thread, A gentle spannering solved that. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Fingers crossed, motor on 13.5 volts
on the voltmeters, an alternator purring away and batteries getting happy
again. </span></span></span></div>
Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217117836780000976.post-46082528375318247722014-06-02T23:38:00.002-07:002014-06-02T23:38:51.607-07:00VATHI
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">We left Preveza
early Friday morning and headed for one of our favourite ports, Vathi, on Meganisi
Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our impressions from last
July were not changed. The town is a picturesque sanctuary for boats, protected
from the strong northerlies with all the services and amenities you could wish
for. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFJxWsohXC-4r4mOjhBTJXkC1L3cRp7zM0Aj__2jPKKT2lAcbifSmRxA0DWf4iEUS5kggMuej6gRst8s2UDSbb0PgNAfd2m3vFvdbiAbsgnwN2LfAkfrQ9mobJh36lqLwMZAwyyXBTHY/s1600/DSC03150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFJxWsohXC-4r4mOjhBTJXkC1L3cRp7zM0Aj__2jPKKT2lAcbifSmRxA0DWf4iEUS5kggMuej6gRst8s2UDSbb0PgNAfd2m3vFvdbiAbsgnwN2LfAkfrQ9mobJh36lqLwMZAwyyXBTHY/s1600/DSC03150.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The esplanade near the boat</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">It was
disappointing to discover the electricity had been discontinued because of an
unpleasant dispute between the private ‘Odysseus’ marina and the local
community. Apparently the town marina’s provision of electricity and water at a
very reasonable price 5E-10E as opposed to the 40E charged at Odysseus was
uncompetitive.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The solution,
close down the town wharf!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Hopefully they’ll
sort things out before we return next year.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">This trip has
been far less stressful than any other years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather has been kinder, the wind more able to be
enjoyed (not blowing in our face all the time) and we’ve had more adventures in
the small towns adjacent to the ports. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3B5XYYILvP3WizZJ8DYOD1EHSEXHmrc7kMDtGP__iZDt8KJUjE-QWs-YDNbta0xqvBnAaT7lpcdj3Gag3gqGBkU_Z7smobHjagPyIFaeugzlHdG02b1mhv5cpScKDsv40UEWXAiQsIi8/s1600/DSC03175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3B5XYYILvP3WizZJ8DYOD1EHSEXHmrc7kMDtGP__iZDt8KJUjE-QWs-YDNbta0xqvBnAaT7lpcdj3Gag3gqGBkU_Z7smobHjagPyIFaeugzlHdG02b1mhv5cpScKDsv40UEWXAiQsIi8/s1600/DSC03175.jpg" height="297" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Hiring a motor scooter was a real plus.
We zoomed up and down the valleys and mountains like a couple of teenagers,
wind in the face, sharing the country lanes with mountain goats. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcr8KUOLlPG60TfLTbVb7MykQnUwV74miBWhjaNb_PmgFDFGc4X2DP52fA3wl_-U108LYARXsjXgeN7uILF9Lb2wDIRhR76v8ZCH_f_eb8evlFhYVKZ9Sc_Nv125Yq3JEYCyrhSx8Tf7o/s1600/AT+SPARTAKORI+BEACH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcr8KUOLlPG60TfLTbVb7MykQnUwV74miBWhjaNb_PmgFDFGc4X2DP52fA3wl_-U108LYARXsjXgeN7uILF9Lb2wDIRhR76v8ZCH_f_eb8evlFhYVKZ9Sc_Nv125Yq3JEYCyrhSx8Tf7o/s1600/AT+SPARTAKORI+BEACH.jpg" height="379" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spartakori harbour</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzfbGoZlqlbWx-Qs2_dSTGjvMBN-fHFS9-Dea0Z8_qfThq83j0R6pmTuBo-8C67rbiKzSGSuyBsV-bP-VUrYZ7PYm5F7wyzmYTAo9Hgl20MbWqQQLOkpzfYJdU8lGARSOxQ67wBFdNbE/s1600/CHURCH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzfbGoZlqlbWx-Qs2_dSTGjvMBN-fHFS9-Dea0Z8_qfThq83j0R6pmTuBo-8C67rbiKzSGSuyBsV-bP-VUrYZ7PYm5F7wyzmYTAo9Hgl20MbWqQQLOkpzfYJdU8lGARSOxQ67wBFdNbE/s1600/CHURCH.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tiny church in the middle of nowhere</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Our road trips took us through the small lanes and villages of the island. You still find old women dressed in black, walking the streets carrying shopping or even sitting weaving and spinning. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Although probably for tourists, the images and experiences were wonderful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Meganisi is an
absolutely beautiful island, yet to be exploited and spoiled by rampant
tourism. The only problem for this and many of the islands in the Ionian is the
temptation to allow the kitsch culture to take over. </span></div>
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Magnac Lavalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07823085596480710712noreply@blogger.com0