I lied about it being a quick summary (you know me too well)
 
The Levkas canal takes you through into an area called the Inland Sea. We sailed around here on our holiday last year. Although, we didn’t pass through the canal, so it was another first for us. We approached the canal and were having problems seeing where the entrance was, now there is a degree of pressure here, because the canal bridge opens on the hour for a short period of time to let boats through. We had read in the pilot book things like ‘free for all’, ‘strong current’, ‘bridge operator gets impatient’ so understandably we were a bit apprehensive. You don’t want to get there too early as there is a limited waiting area and you don’t want to get there too late or you’ll miss the bridge. We eventually saw the rather shallow entrance and could see a number of boats in it, we proceeded with extreme caution, (Karen on the helm, so you know we were going at a snails pace). All of a sudden flying across the sandbank that we had been so carefully avoiding came the Italians (sail up, laden with people, all the usual). Straight to the front of the queue, you’ve got to admire their cheek. Having said that we had managed to work our way to be second in line for when the bridge opened. Not deliberately but merely through me (Karen) not being able to keep the boat into wind, despite words of encouragement from Captain Miles. The bridge opened and it was like the start of the Grand National, we were off, boats were coming towards us and we were steaming towards them. Halfway through the canal we heard a parp and turned to see a big Gin Palace bearing down on us. It eventually passed us causing a huge amount of wake that upset both us and some poor fisherman. Sorry to say but they were Brits! We passed one boat that had gone aground but managed to make it through safely to arrive in Nidri. Love & delicate operations Captain Miles, Sea dog & Karen XXX
Friday, 8 September 2006