Kate O Donovan's Blog – October 2011 Archive (8)

home from the sea and the hunter home from the hill! Cant remember who wrote that .. its from a poem that I learnt by heart a hundred years ago. I have always loved those lines. Arrived back last Sunday ...departed Corfu early in the morning ..flew to London Gatwick and then on to Cork in Ireland.There wasn't enough time in Greece to finish the blog so instead I am just going to mention a few highlights. 

I travelled back in time while we were in Frikes on Ithaca island! In a little…

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Force 6 quickly became Force 8 with higher gusts. We left Trizonia by 7.30am. All boats headed out together and went under the bridge in a line. After that ..the boats spead out and visibility quickly deteriorated. The wind rose to a strong Force 8 ..following ..so we were surfing down the waves with the rain whipping our backs as we went .. but what a ride! We needed the GPS to find the entrance channel to Messalongi ...2 boats experienced difficulties ..one engine failure and one sail…

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One of the last boats to arrive at the island we had a narrow berthing option ..so narrow ..that the tender pushed us on ..port-side-to ...all went well until someone came to tie alongside us and discovered that the yachts have no brakes! ...their anchor left a decorative mark along our bow! ..Have I drooled about the boat yet? a 44 Bavaria called 'Fanourios' ..a Greek Saint or a prayer or something ..very interesting story ..about St.Fanourios' mother ...seems she was a bit naughty but it…

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Lovely sunshine as we pulled up anchor in Galaxidi to head for Trizonia Island. Galaxidi was a favourite with all the crews and before we left we visited the local maritime museum. It gave a wonderful overview of the history of the area ...it was a ship- building town for many years ...if you are cruising in the locality ..its well worth a visit. The local food is hearty and wholesome but am a bit worried about my cholesterol levels after all the cheese and egg dishes! Managed a swim on a…

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Apologies retroactively and in advance for typos and bad grammar. All my posts are from Tavernas and obviously I cant just come in and use the wifi without ordering something! I have tried (unsuccessfully) to find a Greek beer that I like so I am forced to revert to my old staple of Heineken. Yesterday, we motored from Corinth to Galaxidi ..where I am now ..seated in a Taverna (where else?) looking across the road at all the flotilla boats. I have just discovered the 'joys' of flotilla…

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In fact there are as many Gods as flavours of ice cream in an American ice cream parlour!! A coach was provided for us to visit Delphi this morning. For many centuries, Delphi was the ancient and religious centre of the ancient Greek world. I couldnt begin to describe the museum or the ancient site ..its well worth a visit ...there were many American tourists there and I was talking to a lady from Florida and another one from Ohio ..a place called Bryan. The site of the Ancient Olympics is… Continue

 

Having spent a more or less sleepless night in the Yotel in Gatwick airport ...( a great place to stay if leaving from the South Terminal in Gatwick) I caught my Easyjet flight to Athens. Luckily, the air- traffic controllers were not on strike in Greece and we arrived more or less on time. The previous day, there had been a 8 hour delay! We were met at Athens by our 'hosties' and immediately made our way to the coach. We headed straight for Epidavros with one stop on the way ...to…

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Heading to London tomorrow to start my Greek sailing trip. Arriving in Athens on Monday. I will be crewing one of 11 boats sailing from near Athens up through the Corinth Canal, island hopping en route to Corfu. Hoping the weather will be good and really looking forward to my first visit to Greece. Will keep you all posted if I get wifi along the way