Away to the Ionion

C. Matapan

First Mate sailing flat out

Porto Kayio

Porto kayio

We are now enroute around the Peloponnese, having departed Porto Heli for an anchorage just west of Cape Malea at Elafonisos Is, then on across to Porto Kayio near C. Tairanon also known as C. Matapan. This was the site of a major WW11 naval battle in which five Italian ships were sunk by an allied force including HMA Ships Perth, Stuart and Vendetta. Sobering to think of that day as we sailed in bright sunshine on a calm sea. Then we made our way up to kalamata, a small city with not much to recommend it. However we were able to travel by road across some spectacular high mountain scenery to ancient Mystras where the remains of a fortified village cling precariously to a precipitous mountainside. From Kalamata on to the beautiful village of Pilos on the west coast.

Return Aboard

At Porto Heli


Porto Heli town

Kilada

Underway at last

At the lifting dock

We`re off

Life on the hard

On the hard

Jack Tar`s crew has returned aboard. After a tedious 36 hour journey Pop`s Hire Car was waiting at Athens airport and three hours later we were aboard, albeit on the hard, at Kilada. Next day we drove to Navplion and were able to recover our extended transit log from customs, surprisingly at no charge. Three days later after routine preparations we were in the water and motoring the 15 miles around the peninsula to beautiful Porto Heli where we berthed on the town quay to finish rigging and embark stores. The weather has been variable, though generally cool, so we look forward to the advent of the real summer. From where we observe, you wouldn`t know that Greece is the centre of a financial mess; GFC squared! We plan to get underway asap and to sail west around the outside of the Peloponnese and north to the Ionian.

Season`s End

In the lifting dock

Arrival at Koilada

Hydra port & town

Hotel Nefeli

Hydra

Hydra in the rain

Ermioni

At porto Heli

Jack Tar is now on the hard at the Basimakopouloi shipyardat Koilada and being prepared for the winter. Our troublesome loose rudder has been removed and we have discovered that the epoxy "glue" sticking the stock bearing to the rudder stock had worn away and disintegrated leaving a large gap between bearing and stock. Prior to arrival here we stayed longer at Porto Heli than planned as the weather did not cooperate. Quite a bit of rain and some very strong winds. We managed visits to nearby Ermioni and on very rainy day, to beautiful Hydra. There we visited new Australian friends Brett and Alex who have a hotel overlooking the town. Now we are organising arrangements for departure to Oz early Nov and plan to return mid April `10.

Time Out - UK

Jack Tar`s crew has returned aboard after two weeks in Britain; London, the southwest, the Cotswalds and north Wales. We were extremely lucky to have good weather for all but one day! Next, a few days sailing before returning to Porto Heli to prepare the boat for lifting from the water 21 Oct, and then departure for Oz 02 Nov.

The Argolic Gulf

Navplion

Navplion

Entering Navplion

Burning the 'Turkish man-of war'

Water taxis with the fire ship awaiting burning

Spetses

Spetses old harbour

Next door neighbour Spetses

Family outing Spetses

Spetses fire ship awaiting launching

When this comes on the market we`ll look for interest in shares!

Porto Heli

Porto Heli

Porto Heli

Koilada waterfront

Town quay, Porto Heli

Kiparissi

Ierakas

Leaving Monemvasia

Well, we have discovered a beaut sailing ground here in the Argolic Gulf. There are numerous lovely harbours and anchorages within a short distance of each other and the coast and islands are green-clad and very attractive. We have fallen in love with Porto Heli where we plan to spend quite a bit of time, making it our base for a while. It is a wonderful protected, natural harbour surrounded by beautiful small bays in which we can anchor, and has a great town quay adjacent to all the conveniences we might need. Our plan is to place Jack Tar at a boatyard in nearby Koilada, pronounced Kilada, for the winter. A new facility with a travel lift and sound storage on the hardstand and much cheaper than Turkey. Before that, we will leave JT for a short while and travel to London to overcome some potential Schengen treaty visa issues and to attend a wedding. Since last posting we have sailed via Spetses island to Navplion at the head of the gulf. It was the busiest weekend of the year at Spetses as they celebrated the anniversary of a long-ago defeat of the Turkish navy using a fire ship. We saw a recreation of the event culminating in the burning of a substantial vessel made up as a Turkish man-of -war. Boats big and small came from all parts and the small harbour was overwhelmed. chaos, as anchor chains were crossed and bigger and bigger stinkboats vied for space. Great entertainment. There we met fellow Aussies Barry and leonie in 'Bella Sogni' their 50 ft Beneteau. Then on to Navplion, a lovely small city with the standard fortress high on a rock overlooking the old town and port. And we have had rain, our first since April and the weather is definitely cooling. Slacks and jacket at night.