We are back on the water! After a few days’ break in France and England, we flew back out to Corfu on the 4th of July. Waiting for us in the office at Gouvia marina were two shiny new stand-up paddle boards (SUPs), that we had ordered on the internet and had delivered to the marina. We couldn’t wait to try them out!
So, on the 5th, and still feeling tired after a late arrival into Corfu the night before, we set off to an anchorage. Just a few weeks before we had visited Iggy creek – a very sheltered spot on the mainland. This time we headed to a bay just on the Eastern side of Iggy creek, with clear water and perfect conditions to try out the boards. It is not as easy as it looks, and credit to Cate for getting a photo of me whilst I was still standing up, and not flying backwards into the water!
The bay was a lovely place to spend the night, but with slightly more swell forecast the next day, we moved round the corner and back to Iggy creek for a second night at anchor, and more opportunities to practice on the SUPs.
A little further south, and still on the mainland, is Syvota – a little town that used to be called Mourtos – apparently it was believed that the mouth of the river Hades originated here. There are pretty islands flanking the town and we moved here for a night and a chance to fill the water tanks, charge the batteries and dine out on pizza.
Back when we first arrived in Greece, our first port of call after Italy was Lakka bay on the northern tip of Paxos. It is a beautiful bay and well protected from bad weather, so was the obvious choice for us to return to on the 8th of July, with some strong winds forecast over the next couple of days. It was lovely to return, and was again a great place to swim (and this time also paddle board!), and to eat ashore at one of the numerous tavernas in the village. We wanted to spend a couple of nights there, but the winds turned to the North-East, and our sheltered spot became less sheltered, with a nasty swell rolling in. So, after just one night back in Lakka, we sailed out, crossing back to the mainland through some choppy seas, and on to more sheltered spots – Ag. Ioannis and the oddly named “Two rock bay” – odd because there are definitely more than two rocks in the bay, including a submerged one that we were careful to avoid.
Both anchorages were fabulous. The first, Ag. Ioannis, was the more remote – just us and two or three other boats at anchor in the bay, and well protected from the winds and swell. Great for swimming, and for peace and quiet. The second, Two rock bay, is more popular, and we counted about 20 other boats, as well as lots of people sunbathing on the beach. There is a great bar perched on cliffs just above the bay, playing (our version of) cool and relaxing music through the evening: Rolling Stones, Boney M, Pink Floyd…you get the idea! A perfect place for an evening beer.
After a couple of nights at Two rock bay, it was time to return to civilisation, and to continue our trip South. We were due to meet Richard and Juliette, my brother and sister-in-law, in Lefkas on the 13th, so had a quick stop in Preveza town on the 12th, stocking up on food and drink, as well as enjoying the town at close quarters: we moored on the town quay right in front of some noisy bars.
Finally, on the 13th we sailed on to Lefkas, negotiating the narrow canal that guards the northern approach, and the swing bridge that is meant to open on the hour – except that the lock keepers decided to stop for lunch on the hour that we arrived! Fortunately there was space in the canal approach to drop the anchor and enjoy our own lunch whilst we waited for the bridge to open.
Sadly, there has been one mini disaster. On the morning that Richard and Juliette were due to fly out to join us, we got word that their flight had been cancelled. This has been the bane of so many holiday makers this Summer with numerous cancellations and delayed flights. They booked onto a flight the next morning, but disaster struck again, as they were told, at the last minute, that their new flight was over-booked and they were denied boarding. They have now had to abandon plans for a week sailing with us. It is such a shame, and we had so many plans to take them around the southern Ionian islands, and immerse ourselves into the relaxed island life. Perhaps they can join us later in the Summer, or next.
