MEMORABLE MOMENTS/ JULY 1, 2013 TO JULY 25, 2013

Returning from Canada June 25th, the Capitano and I are on our own again in Gouvia, Corfu.  We provision, stocking fridge and freezer because we know the grocery selection on the islands is minimal for meat and canned goods.
With our new anchor securely attached, fresh water tank full, diesel tank full,  we set off July 2nd in a southerly direction eventually turning eastward through the Levkas Canal and eventually going through the Corinth Canal and into the Aegean Sea.

LEFKAS CANAL

The Lefkas Canal has a floating swing bridge which opens every hour for navigational traffic in 2 directions between   6 am and 10 pm.  It can also be opened on request after hours.  The canal separtates the island from the mainland and serves as a shortcut to the nearby Ionian Islands.  We anchored that evening in a large, tranquil bay where the only sounds we could hear were birds and distant bells from the goats wear around their necks.

Leaving Lefkas behind we decided to take in some culture and docked in the city of Vathy on the Island of Ithaca.  Since the winds were not in our favour we thought this might be a good time and place to stay a few days.   We rented a car and set out to discover the island.  If you can recall any school mythology Ithaca is a small island in the Ionian Sea generally identified with Homer, poet and author most famous for the literary piece,  Odyssey, where he describes the adventures of Odysseus, King of Ithaca.  We arrived in Vathy on the southern side.    Considering the historic importance of this island we rented a car and did some sightseeing. The all day trip took us to some small museums and archeological sites and several small seaside villages with lush greenery, pebble beaches and cyrstal clear water.   The most impressive aspect of the island for me was its natural beauty.   We also took in the 17th century Monastery of Katharon where I treated myself to some fresh bay leaves and dried oregano.

VATHY HARBOUR

Driving us onward was our reunion with our friends on Vivamare, so early the next morning we untied our lines and set sail for the town of Messolonghi about 40 nm (nautical miles) eastward.  The temperature had consistently increased all day and by the time we finally docked in the marina I had heat exhaustion.  While I was trying to recoup, the skipper went to investigate a nearby bar/restaurant .....upon his return he mentioned something about A/C.  The cocktail hour sounded promising, but in the end the A/C was off and all the doors open.  To me the marina looked spooky and erie and the extreme heat was a major stress factor for me.

Our next port of call was the small island of Trizonia, recommened by the Shards.  We were not disappointed although the marina was never completed;  there is no water or electricity hook up for boats.  Despite the minimal facilities there are good restaurants and a regular ferry to the mainland which is only half a mile away.

We spent 2 beautiful days in Trizonia just relaxing, catching up on some reading and the skipper doing some hiking to burn off some of those calories from the fried baby squid we had for lunch.

However, before we could finish with our delicious lunch we noticed VERY dark thunders clouds gathering and the winds picked up considerably.  The skipper hurried back to the boat to close the hatches and was shocked to see SA (Simple Abundance) standing at an angle horizontal with the cement quay with other boaters pushing to keep our boat from being badly damaged.  Our new anchor already a disappointment.  We then managed to pull the anchor up by hand because the botom was soft and muddy.  We did have some damage on our stern, port side.

One highlight we experienced between Messolonghi and Trizonia; we passed under  the world's longest  cable-stayed bridge, Rion Antirion which separates the Gulf of Patras from the Gulf of Corinth.  It took 7 years to complete and really is a phenominal site to behold.

RION ANTIRION BRIDGE

Historic Galaxidi was the next harbour where we refuelled 130 liters of diesel for 180 euros.  In the 18th and 19th century Galaxidi was renown as a major ship building center for commercial and naval ships. Unfortunately with the invention of steam driven ships their ship building industry collapsed and workers moved away.  Today Galaxidi again is a traditional Greek town which enjoys playing host to the many tourists who come for the restaurants that use only the freshest local produce and homemade wines.

The local yogurt is sold in ceramic bowls without ingredient label or "best before" date.  The small produce truck drives thur the streets selling fresh melons, grapes and peaches to anyone who stops him.

GALAXIDI

Leaving Galaxidi and feeling excited to experience the Corinth Canal.

The Corinth Canal separates the Peloponnesian peninsula from the Greek mainland and the Ionion Sea from the Aegean Sea.   It is approx. 6 km long and only 20 m wide.  Construction began in 1881 and was completed in 1893.  The passage through the canal can save many days or even weeks of travel time, however, it does come at a price depending on the size of the vessel.  Upon arrival 

at the other end you must go to the official Canal office and make you payment.  SA is 42 feet long and our price was 210 euros.  It takes about an hour from one end to the other; here there is only one direction either going east or going west.   Boats wait until a sufficient number has gathered to make the trip.  

Now in the Aegean we head to Poros to anchor in the town bay opposite a naval acadamy.  Postcard pretty!!!!

POROS

With the weather forecast being very favourable we pulled our anchor and made our way thru a landscape of other boats still at anchor hoping to set our sails.  And so it was; we had winds as high as 22 kn and boat speed as high as 8 kn.  Eight hours later we arrived in our next anchorage tired, but happy and grateful for such a great sail.

Now in our third week heading east among the Cyclades, it still seems like we are only inching our way across the Aegean to meet up with Vivamare.

We spend the next 4 days on the Island Paros in the town of Naoussa on the north side of the island.  It has developed from a small fishing village into a vibrant tourist resort of restaurants and bars clustered around the inner city.  This is one of my favorite places; the food and the beach views are spectacular.  The town has kept its authentic character with white painted houses along narrow alleys with small churches and chapels.

NAOUSSA, PAROS

We bought a day-ticket for the local bus and explored several others towns, Parikia, Drios; all have beautiful, golden beaches with crystal clear water and happy people.

BEACHSIDE CAFE DRIOS

We keep in touch with our friends Gaby and Gerald, but it did take us 4 weeks before meeting them on the Greek Island of Simi just before entering Turkish waters.

SUMMARY OF LAST FEW MONTHS

SEPTEMBER 17, 2013


On May 19th 2013, Wolfgang and I became grandparents  to Jaxon Woloshyn, a healthy, beautiful baby boy.  We couldn't quite be there on the day of his birth, but  managed to arrive in Sudbury to meet the newest family addition June 2nd. It was love at first sight. 

Jaxon

We throughly enjoyed our 3 week visit with family, but the open sea was calling and we returned to our home away from home, Simple Abundance which was waiting for us in Corfu.

Before leaving for Canada we had the pleasure of witnessing the Greek Orthodox Easter.  
Enjoying the Greek Orthodox Easter on Corfu is a very special and unique experience.  It seems to be a mixture of East and West which gives the celebration a special flavour.

The splendor of the festival is enhanced by the brillant sunshine and the many blooming, fragrant trees among the grand Venetian buildings.

Good Friday is the day of Christ's funeral where thousands of people gather in  the streets to join the singing choirs.

On Holy Saturday at 11 am the First Resurrection and the "pot throwing" custom takes place.  Locals throw clay pots of varying sizes from their windows onto the streets below.  At midnight  the local priest calls out (Christ has risen), giving the signal for the fireworks to start.

Following the Easter festivities the party goes on with lots of music and dancing at most bars and restaurants.

Easter Sunday is not a day of rest, but to....eat!
After 40 days of fasting, families get together for traditional foods of lamb, hard boiled eggs and sweet breads, and oh let's not forget lots and lots of wine.

Pedestrians Only

Before enjoying all the boisterous festivities on Corfu we stopped in two other towns Othoni and Kalami, equally beautiful but more for their tranquility and gorgeous beaches.  

After sailing a mere 50 nm from Leuca, the most southerly tip of the Italian boot, across the Strait of Otranto to our first greek island, Othoni
where we tasted our first Greek lamb served  by Massimo, the owner and cooked to perfection by his Equadorian wife.  Next we headed to Kalami, a 30 nm trip, anchoring practically on the beach and feasted on the biggest, best mussels I've ever tasted. 

Next stop was Corfu, Gouvia Marina with approx. 900 berths and moorings for boats up to 80 meters long.  We really enjoyed the shops and restaurants here with the added bonus of a full sized swimming pool.  

A visit to Corfu Town by bus was highlighted by its lively center with everything from sophisticated, high-end, brand name shops to ships chandlery, a dozen museums as well as the old churches and restaurants  in a maze of tiny streets.

Corfu, Gouvia Marina is also where we finally reunited with our cruising friends Gaby and Gerald on May 11th, 2013 after our extended 5 month Canada visit.  Shortly after our reunion we headed out together including Gaby's sister, Christa for several days of anchoring in some of the most beautiful bays imaginable before returning to Gouvia Marina to welcome 2 new crew members, Erik and Chris, Wolfgang's brother and nephew.  Our friends on Vivamare continued on and we would meet them again several weeks later.

We spent the next 10 days sailing in and around some of the cutest islands in the Ionian Sea. We anchored first in a large bay off the village of Lakka, popular with cruisers because the  large bay at the north end of Paxos Island has stunning turquoise, clear water where going out to dinner doesn't include choosing from a menu.  You're invited into the kitchen to choose your meal from the chef's daily creation.  

Next to Paxos City where the Cafe/bar is literally 2 steps away from the boat.  

We anchored at the town dock…..as it turns out where all the actions is.  No water or electric hook up but we found that a water truck comes twice daily for the yachts in the harbour (10 euro for 300ltr) 

Checked in with Coast Guard/Port Authority for a stamp in our Greek mandatory travel log.

May 30,

Plan was to get an early start heading back to Gouvia Maraina.  With just a gentle breeze W. thought it was high time to bring out the big guns (parasailor).  Attaching more shackles and lines she was finally flying in the breeze.  Everyone enjoyed the experience and we decided to spend the last night in Kalami Bay instead of Gouvia.

After a relaxing dinner at the beachfront Taverna we spent the last evening watching a thunderstorm approach.  Shortly after midnight the captain realized the anchor wasn't holding and after several attempts to re-anchor decided to head into the marina early (1 am).  Needless to say, a new anchor was in our future.

Next day we bid our visitors a sad farewell as they headed back to Germany and we headed off to Canada to meet our new grandson.

APRIL NAVAL FABLE

SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2013

Three weeks after arrival in Crotone, Calabria, Italy we have settled in nicely aboard our comfy Simple Abundance.  We are enjoying the warm spring temperatures and the  outdoor markets abundant with local produce of strawberries, melon, fennel, zucchini, lemon and pears.  Today we biked to the nearby (5km) mall and hardware store for a few incidentals and a cafeteria-style lunch that would put any fast food outlet to shame.

Our flight from Toronto to Zurich was long but uneventful with good service and remarkably good food.  It was Good Friday of the Easter long weekend and our friends Sonja and Chez picked us up at the Zurich airport.  We were able to nap a few hours only to be awaken to the aroma of fresh coffee.  Sonja once again out did herself with the delicious home made selection......apple, cheese and chocolate, no one can eat just one piece.

On Easter Sunday we flew into Lamezia Terme and checked in at the pre-booked hotel; modern with small rooms and even smaller beds with extra large extravagant bathroom.  Can't win them all.  Since this is still considered "low season" we had the entire dining room to ourselves.  
Considering our luggage situation, we decided against our original plan of travelling the rest of of our journey by train and bus, we splurged on a taxi.  Excellent choice and worth every "cent" of E120.....door to door 1 1/2 hours.  

After 8 months of abandonment perched high in a cradle overlooking the crowded boatyard, SA greeted us with a simple sigh of relief after a quick wash and welcomed airing out.  Since then our daily chores consist of getting her ready to go back into the water.  One black coat of anti-fouling left over from last year.  Scrubbing the deck, and canvas, reattaching the sails, sewing the zipper of the sail bag, polishing the chrome etc. always something just like a house only on a smaller scale.  

And of course let's not forget the domestic chores that are always required...laundry,cooking, cleaning and shopping.  Without a car at our disposal, all purchases regardless of weight are transported by bike or carried in backpack, usually both.

The forecast for the next 2 days calls for rain.  Indoor activities might include spending lots of time online, Corfu and Greek Island research, taking inventory of first aid kit, creating meal plans for 4 people, organizing ship documentation....OK maybe a little reading and scrabble playing too. 

We hope to be lifted into the water by the end of this week, so hopefully things will get a little more interesting as soon as we leave the heel of Italy and cross the Otranto Strait to Corfu only 70 nm away where we will pick up my brother-in-law and nephew for a 10 day Greek Island tour.  Before our guests are due to arrive we will meet up with our cruising friends Gaby and Gerald on Vivamare.  

MARCH MADNESS/2

MARCH 27/2013



We are now in countdown mode. Just a mere 24 hours before settling in at the airport for our 19:30 flight to Frankfurt, continuing on to Zürich for 2 nights with friends.

 With our last Canadian supplies safely stowed among our 3 suitcases, 3 pieces of hand luggage we are anxiously looking forward to get back on board Simple Abundance.

Our last 6 months have been busy with enjoying family and visiting friends in between medical appointments.  We also spent several weeks at our cottage on the French River and a celebratory excursion to the Dominican for our Birthdays.

Momentarily sitting in the Air Canada lounge chowing down and relaxing, waiting to board our flight.   Our trip from London to Pearson Airport was uneventful and only took 1 1/2 hours. Check-in was quick and uncomplicated.