We have now left Corfu and Paxos behind and have arrived in
Preveza, mainland Greece, our last two weeks in Corfu were spent revisiting
visiting our favourite places and determining where we would take our friends
Rachel and Matt when they came to stay with us in July for a week.
Preveza, mainland Greece, our last two weeks in Corfu were spent revisiting
visiting our favourite places and determining where we would take our friends
Rachel and Matt when they came to stay with us in July for a week.
On the Saturday before Rachel and Matt were due out we met
up with our friends Russell and Sharon who were staying in a hotel in the next
bay to where we were moored in Gouvia. We took them out for a sail just up the
coast to a bay we had not been to before and moored stern too on a pontoon
immediately outside a restaurant.
up with our friends Russell and Sharon who were staying in a hotel in the next
bay to where we were moored in Gouvia. We took them out for a sail just up the
coast to a bay we had not been to before and moored stern too on a pontoon
immediately outside a restaurant.
Our meal there was great if not on the little expensive side,
and the service was slow, however we weren’t in a hurry, and the meal was
delicious. After our meal it was back on board and a gentle sail back to Gouvia
with a detour into the bay where Russell and Sharon were staying so they could
take photo’s of their hotel from the sea, with Sharon at the helm, must say it
didn’t take her long to get the hang of it.
and the service was slow, however we weren’t in a hurry, and the meal was
delicious. After our meal it was back on board and a gentle sail back to Gouvia
with a detour into the bay where Russell and Sharon were staying so they could
take photo’s of their hotel from the sea, with Sharon at the helm, must say it
didn’t take her long to get the hang of it.
That evening we stayed on the boat chilling out and having a
few drinks, all to soon it was time for Kevin to take them back to shore where
they could get a taxi back to their hotel, as they left in the dingy all I
could hear was Sharon giggling away, the wine had been free flowing.
few drinks, all to soon it was time for Kevin to take them back to shore where
they could get a taxi back to their hotel, as they left in the dingy all I
could hear was Sharon giggling away, the wine had been free flowing.
The following day we headed off to Corfu where we had
arranged to pick up Matt and Rachel, we anchored in the bay and headed off to
shore in the dingy. We decided to surprise them and meet them at the airport
instead of in the town centre, surprisingly the walk to the airport took less
time than had we walked into the town itself. Sure enough as they came through the arrivals
gate they were taken aback to see us standing there, I tried to take a photo as
they came through but as I clicked the camera somebody moved in front and so
spoilt the shot, how typical is that, however
one kind gentleman offered to take a photo of us all together.
arranged to pick up Matt and Rachel, we anchored in the bay and headed off to
shore in the dingy. We decided to surprise them and meet them at the airport
instead of in the town centre, surprisingly the walk to the airport took less
time than had we walked into the town itself. Sure enough as they came through the arrivals
gate they were taken aback to see us standing there, I tried to take a photo as
they came through but as I clicked the camera somebody moved in front and so
spoilt the shot, how typical is that, however
one kind gentleman offered to take a photo of us all together.
It was great to see them again and whilst Matt and Kevin
took the bags back to Miss Lilly, Rachel and I took the opportunity to catch up
at one of the nearby bars and partake in a well-earned glass of cold white wine
whilst waiting for Matt and Kevin to come back. It was then off to Corfu town
for a look round the shops (most of them were closed) and something to eat
before heading back to the boat and then off to Gouvia, as this provided us
with good all round shelter and a little
more peace and quiet, that is after the water skiers finished for the day.
took the bags back to Miss Lilly, Rachel and I took the opportunity to catch up
at one of the nearby bars and partake in a well-earned glass of cold white wine
whilst waiting for Matt and Kevin to come back. It was then off to Corfu town
for a look round the shops (most of them were closed) and something to eat
before heading back to the boat and then off to Gouvia, as this provided us
with good all round shelter and a little
more peace and quiet, that is after the water skiers finished for the day.
The next day we headed south to Petitri where we anchored to
the south of the village directly opposite Taverna Panarama, from the boat the
place looked lovely and so we decided to take the dingy and go ashore. With an
extra pair of strong hands on board Matt offered to assist Kevin in getting the
dingy of the front deck into the water. The next minute I heard a shout and
looked up to see that Matt had almost fallen over board, he was hanging on for
grim death with the guard rail in the crook of his knees and the dingy perched
on top of him. I shouted to Rachel to let her know and to bring the camera so
that we could capture the moment for posterity, but she just shouted back ok,
not really aware on what I had said re Matts predicament. We eventually managed
to get him back on board but he ended up with a very nasty bruise where the
guard rail had dug into his skin.
the south of the village directly opposite Taverna Panarama, from the boat the
place looked lovely and so we decided to take the dingy and go ashore. With an
extra pair of strong hands on board Matt offered to assist Kevin in getting the
dingy of the front deck into the water. The next minute I heard a shout and
looked up to see that Matt had almost fallen over board, he was hanging on for
grim death with the guard rail in the crook of his knees and the dingy perched
on top of him. I shouted to Rachel to let her know and to bring the camera so
that we could capture the moment for posterity, but she just shouted back ok,
not really aware on what I had said re Matts predicament. We eventually managed
to get him back on board but he ended up with a very nasty bruise where the
guard rail had dug into his skin.
Catastrophe averted we headed ashore, the taverna was even
better than it looked from the boat, the gardens were full of varying kinds of
flowers, and there were small hideaway places for you to sit and chill or swing
in one of the many hammocks hanging from the trees, Rachel even tried to sample
a grape from one of the hanging vines.
better than it looked from the boat, the gardens were full of varying kinds of
flowers, and there were small hideaway places for you to sit and chill or swing
in one of the many hammocks hanging from the trees, Rachel even tried to sample
a grape from one of the hanging vines.
The following day we headed off to Lakka on the island of
Paxos, where thankfully we had an uneventful day, other than the bay was packed
with boats and so we had to anchor near the shore and fasten off with a shore
line. It was then time for a dip in the sea which was lovely and warm before
heading to shore for a look round and a few drinks.
Paxos, where thankfully we had an uneventful day, other than the bay was packed
with boats and so we had to anchor near the shore and fasten off with a shore
line. It was then time for a dip in the sea which was lovely and warm before
heading to shore for a look round and a few drinks.
The next morning as we were having breakfast we were visited
by the coast guard who asked us to move as the restaurant owner was not happy
about us being moored so near the beach, and so after breakfast we headed off
to Gaios a few miles down the coast. On arrival we moored in our usual place in
the North Channel with a shore line to the small island and applied our home
made rat deterrents, then we headed ashore. Whilst Rachel and I hit the shops
Matt and Kevin found a nice bar, where we would meet them later. After we had decide
what we wanted to purchase when we came back that evening we met up with the
men, and after a few drinks headed back to the boat.
by the coast guard who asked us to move as the restaurant owner was not happy
about us being moored so near the beach, and so after breakfast we headed off
to Gaios a few miles down the coast. On arrival we moored in our usual place in
the North Channel with a shore line to the small island and applied our home
made rat deterrents, then we headed ashore. Whilst Rachel and I hit the shops
Matt and Kevin found a nice bar, where we would meet them later. After we had decide
what we wanted to purchase when we came back that evening we met up with the
men, and after a few drinks headed back to the boat.
Back on board Miss Lilly Kevin set up “The Plank” as a
diving board, where both men tried to show us their prowess at diving, in the
end the award went to Matt for his sideways dive into the water.
diving board, where both men tried to show us their prowess at diving, in the
end the award went to Matt for his sideways dive into the water.
That evening we decided to eat out and so we put our glad
rags on and hit the town, where Rachel and I completed our retail therapy
before finding somewhere to eat, after which we then found a bar with a big
television screen to watch the world cup semi-final. By the time the match had
ended it was past 2am, so headed back to Miss Lilly, as the dingy neared the
boat Matt shouted that he could see a rat running along the shore line in the
torch light, as soon as it saw us though it turned tail and ran back to shore,
a close shave we thought, as rats on board can cause havoc with the wiring.
rags on and hit the town, where Rachel and I completed our retail therapy
before finding somewhere to eat, after which we then found a bar with a big
television screen to watch the world cup semi-final. By the time the match had
ended it was past 2am, so headed back to Miss Lilly, as the dingy neared the
boat Matt shouted that he could see a rat running along the shore line in the
torch light, as soon as it saw us though it turned tail and ran back to shore,
a close shave we thought, as rats on board can cause havoc with the wiring.
As it was late we went straight to bed, however it wasn’t
long before Rachel was knocking on our cabin door to inform us there was
something scratching in their bedroom. It was soon obvious that a rat had
managed to get into their cabin and hide behind the back of the wardrobe. We
tried all different ways to try and coax it out to no avail, and so we decide
to let Rachel and Matt sleep in our Cabin, Kevin would sleep in the back cabin
and I would sleep on the sofa in the salon. Before Kevin went to bed however he
filled a pop bottle with some nuts and sultanas in an attempt to try and trap
the rat, which in some part did the trick as the rat eventually came out of its
hiding place, however instead of going into the pop bottle it made its escape off
the boat after hearing Kevin move to catch it.
long before Rachel was knocking on our cabin door to inform us there was
something scratching in their bedroom. It was soon obvious that a rat had
managed to get into their cabin and hide behind the back of the wardrobe. We
tried all different ways to try and coax it out to no avail, and so we decide
to let Rachel and Matt sleep in our Cabin, Kevin would sleep in the back cabin
and I would sleep on the sofa in the salon. Before Kevin went to bed however he
filled a pop bottle with some nuts and sultanas in an attempt to try and trap
the rat, which in some part did the trick as the rat eventually came out of its
hiding place, however instead of going into the pop bottle it made its escape off
the boat after hearing Kevin move to catch it.
Due to our late night and rat catching activities at four in
the morning we all slept in, and so by the time we left Gouvia it was nearly
lunch time. We decided to head to Emerald Bay on Anti Paxos, it was a place
that Kevin and I had not been to before, however when we got there every man
and his dog was there. Although the bay lived up to its name it was just so
busy with motor boats and tourist boats coming and going all the time creating
huge amounts of swell that we decided to stay for lunch and then start heading
back north to Petitri, where we spent a couple of nights before heading back to
Corfu.
the morning we all slept in, and so by the time we left Gouvia it was nearly
lunch time. We decided to head to Emerald Bay on Anti Paxos, it was a place
that Kevin and I had not been to before, however when we got there every man
and his dog was there. Although the bay lived up to its name it was just so
busy with motor boats and tourist boats coming and going all the time creating
huge amounts of swell that we decided to stay for lunch and then start heading
back north to Petitri, where we spent a couple of nights before heading back to
Corfu.
All too soon it was Rachel and Matts last night with us, the
week had flown by, that night we went ashore to have one last meal with them,
not before Rachel completed her retail therapy though, whilst the men took
refuge in one of the bars, shopping completed in very quick time, only three
shops visited, we headed off to the bar to meet the men.
week had flown by, that night we went ashore to have one last meal with them,
not before Rachel completed her retail therapy though, whilst the men took
refuge in one of the bars, shopping completed in very quick time, only three
shops visited, we headed off to the bar to meet the men.
Although it had been a late night we were up at 7am the
following morning to make sure Rachel and Matt got to the airport in time,
after a tearful goodbye we headed back to Miss Lilly and then onto Gouvia in
order to get the washing done purchase some provisions. We used the launderette
on the main road and I have to say I was very disappointed when I got the
washing back to the boat as it looked like all the soap hadn’t been rinsed out,
so would not recommend the place.
following morning to make sure Rachel and Matt got to the airport in time,
after a tearful goodbye we headed back to Miss Lilly and then onto Gouvia in
order to get the washing done purchase some provisions. We used the launderette
on the main road and I have to say I was very disappointed when I got the
washing back to the boat as it looked like all the soap hadn’t been rinsed out,
so would not recommend the place.
Before leaving Gouvia we met up with Sharon and Russell
again, it was their last night in Corfu before catching their flight back home.
On the way back to the marina we bumped into Cathy, John and Dennis, friends we
had made in Ragusa, it was a surprise to see them as we thought we were the
last of the Ragusa crowd still cruising around Corfu.
again, it was their last night in Corfu before catching their flight back home.
On the way back to the marina we bumped into Cathy, John and Dennis, friends we
had made in Ragusa, it was a surprise to see them as we thought we were the
last of the Ragusa crowd still cruising around Corfu.
As we headed south to Preveza we called in one last time to
Gaios, Kevin was adamant we were not anchoring in rat ally as he now called the
North Channel, and so we managed to moor up along the town quay, right in front
of the noisiest bar in Gaios, which we felt was far better than having a rat on
board. We were however a little shocked to be informed we had to pay 15 euros
mooring fee as all our friends who had moored on the town quay previously told
us it was free, but apparently from the 27th June they start
charging.
Gaios, Kevin was adamant we were not anchoring in rat ally as he now called the
North Channel, and so we managed to moor up along the town quay, right in front
of the noisiest bar in Gaios, which we felt was far better than having a rat on
board. We were however a little shocked to be informed we had to pay 15 euros
mooring fee as all our friends who had moored on the town quay previously told
us it was free, but apparently from the 27th June they start
charging.
The next morning we needed to have left our mooring before
10:00 as we were moored where the big tourist boats moor, as we started to
leave everyone decided to do the same and so it was a little chaotic, a French
boat had somehow managed to get its anchor stuck and was blocking the channel
making difficult for us to get out. Several boats exited using the south
entrance but as the water was shallow there and we have a draught of 2 metres
we didn’t dare risk going out that way, and so we eventually passed the French
boat on the inside, between him and a catamaran.
10:00 as we were moored where the big tourist boats moor, as we started to
leave everyone decided to do the same and so it was a little chaotic, a French
boat had somehow managed to get its anchor stuck and was blocking the channel
making difficult for us to get out. Several boats exited using the south
entrance but as the water was shallow there and we have a draught of 2 metres
we didn’t dare risk going out that way, and so we eventually passed the French
boat on the inside, between him and a catamaran.
For the first three hours to Preveza there was very little
wind and so we had to motor, then as the winds picked up we were able to sail
the remainder of the six hour journey. I am not sure what we expected to see on
our arrival, but the town looked very different to other places we have visited
around Corfu and Paxos. We anchored in Ormos Vathi, which is very peaceful, no
charter boats just mainly live-a-boards with lots of space.
wind and so we had to motor, then as the winds picked up we were able to sail
the remainder of the six hour journey. I am not sure what we expected to see on
our arrival, but the town looked very different to other places we have visited
around Corfu and Paxos. We anchored in Ormos Vathi, which is very peaceful, no
charter boats just mainly live-a-boards with lots of space.
After a very peaceful night we went ashore and changed our
initial opinion of Preveza, on first impressions it looked a sleepy town with
very little activity, but once ashore, there are shops a plenty along with
cafes, tavernas and restaurants. So we plan to spend another night here before
setting of to explore the inland sea of Amvrakikos Kolpos, then moving on to
Lefkas.
initial opinion of Preveza, on first impressions it looked a sleepy town with
very little activity, but once ashore, there are shops a plenty along with
cafes, tavernas and restaurants. So we plan to spend another night here before
setting of to explore the inland sea of Amvrakikos Kolpos, then moving on to
Lefkas.
Mileage 808
Cumulative Mileage 3346.43
Present Location: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@38.9654733,20.720364,13z
