Journey to Zakinthos
 
We spent one night in Poros. It provided good shelter but was tiny,we saw a car ferry reversing in (heading for us) we looked on with anticipation and wonder. It was quite a feat. We left on Sunday to head to Ay Nickolaos which is on the North East side of Zakinthos. Seeing us in action over the last couple of weeks one might have been forgiven for thinking we know what we are doing. This journey removes any doubt that we might in fact have a clue. We left the harbour and Captain Miles was bringing up the anchor, now remember this is a miniscule harbour, we had joked about a ferry turning up as we were leaving, wouldn’t it be funny blah blah blah. Well it did and it wasn’t. I was helming shouting to Miles ‘There’s a ferry, there’s a ferry’ Bit silly really as he was fully aware that there was a huge ferry coming in as we wanted to go out. Anchor up, there came a chorused command from Captain Miles and Sea dog ‘Floor it’. Which of course I did. We flew out of the harbour only to find the sea was a rocking and a rolling, which did not make for a pleasant journey. We sailed to Ay Nickolaos and on arrival entered the harbour where things were still pretty bumpy. The second incident of the day was that whilst moving the dinghy to get reading for mooring up. It escaped, naming no names but it was the mild mannered one who let it go! We then tried to rescue it as it headed for the rocks, the rescue was not going well, but then Sea dog took the helm and saved the day. Dinghy retrieved we realised that Ay Nickolaos was pretty baron and we would not have a comfortable night there because of the lumpy bumpy sea. A decision was made to abandon Ay Nickolaos and head down to Zakinthos town which was about 10 nautical miles away. With Sea dog on the helm the engine floored and the Genoa up we headed for Zakinthos town, I think I can safely saw it was the bumpiest ride so far. We arrived in the port (which is huge) about 7pm. After finding what we thought was be an ideal spot between 2 yachts we started to reverse. You could see from the looks of the people on board both yachts they felt there was not enough room for us..We had got halfway back and things were tight and we were not welcome. So we upped anchor and went further along the quay. Zakinthos port is very big lots of ferries, tripper boats and boy racers on mopeds. Many moons ago I spent a few summers on Zante, I really don’t remember it being so loud and busy. Could I be getting older, surely not I hear you cry. We have met up with my parents (Karen) and spent a day at the beach, afterwards we had a real treat and used the shower in their apartment, it was bliss a nice warm shower, without half the street watching you! (Remember our shower is an outside one). We went for dinner and had kebabs (has to be done). This evening they are coming for dinner on the boat will let you know how it goes. Got to go battery running down Captain Miles, Sea dog and Karen XXX
Wednesday, 13 September 2006