In which Sid and Doris deliver a Beneteau 332 in a small flotilla from Levkas to Corfu and remember how to do sailing.
The journey
The journey started at Vasiliki on Levkas (also known as Sivota, see later) which is the most south easterly of the tasteful blue stickers. Our stops were Palairos, then through the Levkas Canal to Little Vathi. The next stop was on Gaios island, then the other Sivota before quite a long day into Corfu (at the northern blue dot) because of storm warnings.
This is Vasiliki Bay, the route to the sea ahead of you. Our blameless but rather tired Beneateu 332 in amongst the masts on the right. October in Blighty has been wet as wet so here we are off in search of ice cream in the sunshine.
Dinner is little fishes on the dock. I doubt the cat has ever caught a fish. That doesn’t stop her looking longingly. I still go to car shows and art galleries.
During the day a lot of the scenery looks like this.
And here we are early in to Little Vathi. The forecast storm did come when the taverna advised us to eat early before the power was cut off. Rain drumming on the coach roof makes for a good night.
This was in the village round the bay. I suspect it is based on Suzuki Jeep parts as there are plenty of rusty ones around.
We should have taken this a few minutes earlier as we had left before daylight because we really like to be on deck at dawn.
We are now in the Levkas Canal where the floating bridge opens each hour.
We are not alone in trying for the 10 o’clock opening.
The pontoon spins around and the ramps are lowered to make the bridge.
This is coming down the surprising back channel to the Gaios town quay.
Our friend Tim Martin had one of these R100s. He is down to about half a lung, so carpe BM.
There was a little photo competition running on the flotilla WhatsApp group. Here S has his own fisherman’s knot and figure of eight contrasted with Catherine’s BW worthy woven warps.
More ‘romantic evening from the dock’, this time other Sivota.
The last day of sailing was a long one to get into Corfu before more bad weather was due. Our whole trip was done on headsail while some others battled with the anti gybe precautions.
Here’s another of the fleet coming past Corfu’s old fortress. Corfu was owned by the Venetians even though much of the area was Ottoman. Briefly owned by the French after Napoleon took Venice (and places which did not yet know they were Italian). After Napoleon’s defeat in 1815 the seven Ionian islands passed to the British, obviously.
In the meantime the modern world has caught up with the island so bucolic in the time of the Durrells. Thousands stream ashore to be marshalled around the town with guides, coaches and headsets until they have milled around for long enough to be allowed back to the food.
Having an extra day on Corfu suited us very well. We cleared out of the boat, Arkouda, where we had moored up next to a Boston whaler. Whence into the Bella Venezia hotel. If on Corfu do go. You know you are near when you pass the old Ionian parliament where the Ionian islands were united with new Greece.
Moored up by a Boston whaler.
Naturally the British military architect built a garrison church in the shape of a Greek temple.
And now, inside, it is set out for the Greek Orthodox rite and the gallery gone.
So we were pleased to see that Greek Orthodox priests can still threaten old ladies with hell and sticks.
After a couple of ho hum tourist meals Sid was keen to find fine dining and a great sommelier. All are to be found at the Pomo d’Oro.
And back at the Bella Venezia a sweet trio, a Gibson Jazz and as we would discover later, our breakfast waitress.
Just another church in just another place. If a mall is a temple of mammon I have to say the religious may have the best of it.
We saw the Italian Passione Rossi Ferrari car club lined up on the Spianada but failed to take a picture. Here we have giallo and rosso.
One of the best road signs of the trip. Maybe we should have bikes again.
The picture not taken, helpfully taped up in the tobacconist’s window.
Finally the tobacconist, Greece being still much given to smoking.
A delightful holiday. The boat a bit tired and probably should be retired. But you could say that about……
Perfect.
(I’m reading this as a Warm-up for the next adventure blog)