Thursday 14 June
Galaxidhi, Gulf of Corinth

We left Patras on Tuesday by about noon.  We had enjoyed our three days there and were entertained by Greek dancing in a small ampitheatre just across from the boat and watching all the hundreds of students drinking endless cups of frappé in all the cafes that surrounded us, accompanied every now and then by pungent wafts of sewage.  We were joined on our last night by the very big boat that had made such a mess of mooring in Ay Efimia.  In fact it managed to take up the whole of the other side of the pontoon on which we were on.

Patras from the Fort at the top of (about) 300 steps

We headed for the Gulf of Corinth and a small island called Trizonia which had been recommended to us as being a 'lovely spot'.  I am beginning, belatedly, to get quite suspicious about other peoples' idea of a 'lovely spot'.  We knew that there would be no electricity or water but had no idea that the place was more like a boat graveyard.  The whole marina basin looked like it had been deserted, although there were other boats like us in transit spending the night, and I was very disconcerted to see two masts sticking out of the water from a yacht that had sunk over three years ago now, right in the middle of the basin, and then we were told there were another three that had sunk but were not visible. here was a number of other abandoned boats which must have been there for years and shamefully more than a few had British port names on them. But then surprisingly just on the other side of the island was a lovely little bay with pretty tavernas so the situation was salvaged a little.  

Trizonia

We beat a hasty retreat from there early on Wednesday morning to head for Galaxidhi, where we are now, which is a huge improvement. We were, however, moved off a perfect spot we chose for ourselves as we were told that a large 30M boat was expected - we feel like we are being followed now.  But it is so hot - at the least 36 degrees, possibly 40 and it is impossible to move without being drenched in perspiration. It is also impossible to escape the football as the Greeks love it and it is on in every bar, cafe, taverna.  I was persuaded by the Captain to watch The Netherlands -v- Germany last night in a very modern, trendy bar across from the boat with Frank Sinatra crooning and a large Mojito cocktail - unfortunately the music changed to house/garage/you wouldnt want it in your shed music, Germany won and if I had had another Mojito I would have fallen off the bar stall.

 

Today, despite the heat, we have been to Delphi - the centre of the world according to Greek mythology.  About half an hour away in a taxi from Galaxidhi and not to be missed. Overwhelming - and overwhelmed by American tourists.

The theatre at Delphi with the Temple of Apollo

Tomorrow, finally, we set off for the Corinth Canal and the Aegean Sea.  We have been watching the weather forecast and think we are about to experience our first Meltemi but hope to find somewhere reasonable to sit it out before heading for our final destination just east of Athens before heading home on 27 June.