Yacht Fiona Blog Update

After a fraught overnight stop in the tiny bay of Ay Nicholas on Zachinthos, we arrived at Katakolon in the Peloponnese. We were charged only €10 per night here on the town quay, including electricity and rather murky water. Katakolon is a charming place and it was from here that we had a very cheap and interesting day out to the spectacular ruins of ancient Olympia with our friends John and Clare from Yacht Caryanda. We also found a small holding in Katakolon where we were able to buy fruit, vegetables, wine and olive oil straight from the local producer. The climb to their place at the very top of the hill overlooking the bay, meeting the family and tasting the wine, was a memorable occasion.

Next stop was Pilos where the town quay was hot and airless but free and without any facilities. We were however able to take on fuel from a mobile diesel tanker. The huge anchorage here was much more pleasant as we could escape the heat of the day by frequent dips in the clear, blue sea.

The anchorage at Methoni

Other fascinating ports along this coast were Methoni and Koroni, with spectacular twin forts, the “eyes” of the Peoponnese. Yithion, the ancient port of Sparta was our safe harbour for visiting the town of Sparti and the glorious ruins of the Byzantine town of Mystra – another interesting and cheap day out with John and Clare, this time travelling by bus through the dramatic Greek mountains.

Mystra - yes we did climb to the top and the views were fantastic!

We spent a few nights in the beautiful anchorages of Nisos Elafonisos, swimming in the turquoise seas with turtles and barracuda whilst waiting for favourable wind to round Cape Maleas.

The fortified town of Monemvasia ( ancient Minoa), is an amazing sight from seaward, perched on a shear rock face and connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway.

We has intended to sail due east from Monemvasia to Milos in the Southern Cyclades but with an impending Meltemi forecast, we decided to head for the safety of Porto Kheli.

 Leaving Monemvasia