Week with Malcolm and Val plus Rick, Blue & Swiss Roll

We had a lovely lazy week while our friends Malcolm and Val were here. We only did 60 miles the whole week and some of the places we went to (such as Meganissi) were repeats - but beautiful nevertheless.
A couple of nights we chose wild anchorages – far away from everything. Both were magical although the bay just outside Vathi (Ithaca) was quite hairy. It took 4 goes to get the anchor to hold and although it seemed firm, it didn’t inspire confidence. M and L took 2 lines ashore from the stern which seemed ok until the wind started blowing hard, broadside on putting a nasty strain on the anchor. We decided to put another line ashore from the bow to an up-wind rock on the edge of the bay. After a windy but secure night, the rock we were attached to exploded into fragments. We were safe, but I’m glad it didn’t happen in the dark or continuous anchor-watches would have been necessary.

We also stayed a more peaceful night in One House Bay on uninhabited Astakos - Lovely clear cool water and nobody for miles except for 2 other small boats in the same bay. In the morning, a herd of goats, complete with bells, delicately picked their way over the beach and along the steep cliffs. A kid got separated from his mother and when she finally answered his frantic bleating ran at break-neck speed across rocks and cliffs to get to her. Terrifying to watch and we all heaved a sigh of relief when he made it.
The other places we visited were places that M & V wanted to revisit when they were last here a few years ago on a charter. Vathi on Ithaca had reasonable shopping and a safe harbour with loads of space to moor and to anchor but a bit swelly.


Kioni a short hop north was just lovely. It’s a classical village with amazingly clear water, lovely tavernas and friendly bread and veg vans. We had breakfast under a Gum tree.





















We finished up at Nidri. Had a wonderful Dinner ant Elena's courtesy of M & V. Next day we went up to the Town Quay early in the morning and lurked till someone left. The hoped-for bus connection to Preveza Airport didn’t materialise so a taxi had to be organised at short notice – very stressful as changeover for the huge flotilla fleet is Sunday too. Book your taxi ahead if you are planning the same.
Despite the taxi, Nidri is a much more convenient and congenial place for meeting planes. The anchorage is enormous and completely safe. The quay is lumpy with ferry wash but safe enough with excellent holding for the anchor. It’s very crowded but if you anchor the night before then lurk off the quay next morning till someone leaves, it is easy enough to get a space. Water is good quality and 5 Euros a fill.


We met up with Rick, Blue and the Swiss Roll crowd for another excellent meal in the Rose Garden in Vathi (Meganissi) and then sadly waved goodbye as they set off for home and we continued our journey to nowhere in particular.