I’m typing this midmorning, under the shade of the bimini in the cockpit, as we slide under engine across mirror like seas.  We’re heading north west to Korfos on the Peloponnese mainland en-route towards the Corinth Canal.  Winds are less than 2 knots.  Warm as.

Yesterday we had our last relaxing lunch with Jude and Viv on the Poros waterfront, all fed the stray cats with our copious leftovers, and then lugged  bags along for the 15.20 fast cat over to Athens. 

By midnight both should be tucked up home in the UK.  After saying our goodbyes, we spent one last afternoon and night tied up in Poros on the new floating pontoon, and this morning loaded with water, got the mini tanker in to fuel us up, and set off. 

Exited Poros going west-about out through the wider channel to then turn north towards Korfos where we’ll spend ouyr last night in the Aegean.  The routes out of Poros are very pretty.  Lots of Italian style villas set close to sea level and well gardened with cypress trees.  Also lots of big ferry traffic charging in and out, but at least they break up the sea surface and we can only hope the created waves will help sink the assorted crap the spoils the whole effect by insisting on floating around.

Funny.  Of all the differences twix Turkey and Greece, the amount of floating rubbish on the seas and washed up on beaches is the one that has the most impact - on me at least.  From the general look of the mostly plastic garbage, I’m pretty sure most of it comes from fishing boats, and if so it’s a shame that the locals allow it, or that the authorities don’t do anything to help clean it up.

Two years back when in the Balearics it took us a while to recognise some small but scoop netted boats for what they were.  Surface cleaner.  Similar vessels chugging around daily with nets deployed to scoop up the crap should be something the Greeks could consider investing in.

We’re aiming for Korfos which is on the Peloponnese mainland, only 25 miles away and equally maybe a further 15 miles from the eastern entrance to the Corinth Canal.  Our plan is stopover in Korfos, either tied to one of the three shoreside restaurants that offer free moorings (in exchange for you using their restaurant) or anchored off in the bay.  We aim to get into the canal before midday tomorrow. 

If we can do that and we’re not held up by any opposing traffic, we should make it to one of the small towns tucked into the northern coast of the Gulf of Corinth before Saturday nightfall. 

Not sure yet which one we’ll choose – as Saturday is a charter boat changeover day so some of them will be full.  We’ll check ‘em out as we go, but the favourite looks to be Galaxidhiou.

Saturday 16^th June

Got into Korfos around 1500, and as it was super hot with no breeze, choose to seek some respite by anchoring off.  At least that way we could swim.

Took a walk ashore after sunset and a bit disappointed with the town.  Not just dusty and dirty, but bad smells from full sulo bins dotted on each street corner.

Decided to fire up the BBQ and by 2100 were scoffing New Forest farmhouse shop bangers with veggies on the boat.  Great late supper – and we toasted our thanks to Jude for bringing out a few deep frozen packs!

Departed Korfos at 0730 and butted into F4/5 headwinds along to the canal entry.  Tied up to pay our dues, and only had to wait another 30 minutes to clear east going traffic, and we were soon through and out the other side. 

Sadly winds are still straight on the nose, so we’re going to have to continue under engine to make Galaxidhou by late arvo.  Still using the same rationale when it’s a choice between longer sail or shorter motor – the motoring does keep the batteries charged and helps us top up our tanks from the watermaker.

Not sure if we’ll stop for long in Galaxidhou.  It’s a pretty village tucked into the north shore of the Gulf of Corinth and we visited it last year when going the other way, so we’ll decide once we get there.

But we are now firmly out of the Aegean, and feeling like we’re getting back more and more into Europe.  Not sure if that feels good, or bad. 

Pleased so far with boats performance.  She’s felt safe and stable in the stronger winds experienced on this leg, and apart from some minor adjustment issues on the engines clutch we’ve (touch wood) had no major boat issues.

Our route plan so far, where we first arced north across the eastern Aegean with the help of some needed southerly winds, and finally ending up sliding south west when the northerly strong meltemi kicked back in, worked well.

It certainly gave us chance to visit some smaller Cycladean islands we may well never have planned to visit, but also made for easier and more enjoyable sailing.

So won’t be long now before we’re entering the Ionian Sea and working our way north to Corfu.  Hopefully some travelling pals to meet on Kefallonia and Levkas, and a weeks R&R and boat maintenance based out of Corfu, before jumping off for Macedonia and Croatia………

All sounding quite good to me.

JOHN