Vathi

A small fishing harbour on the west coast of the Methana peninsular and our next stop after Epidhavros. Large pod of dolphins played with Lerryn lady as we crossed the bay. Vathi is based at the bottom of a volcano, we climbed halfway up. we swam off the harbor mole snorkeling in an attempt to keep cool - temperatures up to 38 degrees. Vathi is a peaceful little place with three tavernas. A bread van turns up every morning and two vegetable vans who toot away to let customers know they're about. We bought our food from them, bread, fruit, vegetables, yoghurt and eggs. At the end of the quay is a fresh water shower where I spent quite a bit of time during the day! Lined with bamboo it's really very lovely:

Lerryn Lady moored stern-to the quay:

Looking across the harbour to Lerryn Lady:

Same view at night:

 

This is Athena - my friend. It was scorching hot and she made lemon granitas for us both - so delicious and cooling, basically crushed ice, crushed lemon and a little sugar. we sat talking in the shade and we discovered we both like crafts. An hour later and three Greek ladies sit with me to learn Tunisisan crochet. My little Greek and their non-existent English was no barrier to learning. They were so pleased with themselves :O)

 

 

Athena's son went up the Mizzen mast and re-threaded our Passerelle halyard for us:

To thank me for teaching Tunisian Crochet I was presented with a huge jar of candied fruits - homemade of course - and absolutely divine on our Greek yoghurt!

Lerryn Lady's forepeak as the sun sets on Vathi harbor:

 

A little friend we made at Vathi:

 

 We never did discover what this was:

EPIDHAVROS

I managed half of Brutus' speech standing in the centre of this most amazing theatre at Epidhavros: old age and memory! Though my version was Friends, Romans, Countrymen lend me your ears...
There were eight people at the very top and when I had finished I asked them if they could hear me - they applauded me and said :' Yes, very clearly.' Apparently you can drop a coin where I am standing and it is heard throughout, even the very top! That's me, the little dot in the centre down there LOL :O)
 Here's another version of the speech:
Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my
cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me
for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that
you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and
awake your senses, that you may the better judge.
If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of
Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar
was no less than his. If then that friend demand
why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer:
--Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved
Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and
die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live
all free men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him;
as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was
valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I
slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his
fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his
ambition. Who is here so base that would be a
bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended.
Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If
any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so
vile that will not love his country? If any, speak;
for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.

A little closer - me giving the speech:

This theatre is just one section of the Ancient Healing Sanctury of Asklepieion. It was the largest healing centre of antiquity!

 

TODAY

A mere 38 degrees!

Angistri Greece

The smallest of the Saronic Gulf Islands and our first landfall after traversing the Corinth Canal. Hardly touched by tourism, just mad people arriving by boat really. Spent the evening in the bar of tiny Hotel Milo with two of our young friends from Sailing Holidays - Sam ( from Fowey), Leah,  and not least, Yanni, the owner with his Mandolin.  Greek dancing, Ouzo quaffing, singing and yodeling ensued ;O)

Sunset from the quay at Angistri

 

 

 

My preferred style utility room - outside, sloshing water about and the disinfecting sunshine!

 

 

Reminded me of a song - but cannot remember the title.

 

 

 

Had to lift this shot of the harbour from Google for you.

 

Private Passage for Lerryn Lady through the Corinth Canal - what an experience!

Just entering the canal having asked permission to transit and given the go-ahead. People bungee jump off that first bridge!

Lerryn Lady ( and Greg) dwarfed by the sandstone cliffs.

Difficult to imagine 5,000 slaves with chisels!

Our bowsprit leading the way :O)

 

We had the whole canal to ourselves this afternoon. Unusually no other boats or ships around :O) What a delight for us. Water the colour of Blue Curacao and as clear as gin.

 

This is how it is normally with fifty or so smaller vessels following behind the big boys...

 

No letters from the Corinthians today :O)

 

1 Corinthians 13:4

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres...

Leaving Itea on the north shore of the Gulf of Corinth we sailed seven hours south east to Corinth - huge pods of dolphins en route. Not a lot of wind, but what there was we picked up with our trusty Code Zero:

 

How's this for a private bathroom with a view of the Corinth mountains - AMAZING!

 

And ditto my Utility room - had to wash clothes quickly or they dried in the water LOL, that's liquid olive soap I'm using, doesn't hurt the fishes eyes:

 

 

Four sea-fresh Bream ready for the BBQ on deck:

 

Oh Crumbs, we're alongside in 4metres of water and the BBQ kettle top somehow became unattached from the base and is currently on the seabed :O(  We made friends with an Italian couple, Yanni and Rossanna, here's Yanni recovering the BBQ lid Bless him:

 

Greg was absolutely delighted to be re-aquainted with the lid:

We met a wonderful 'Cousin Jack' ( born in Truro 70 years ago) who showed us the only ( hidden) electrical supply on the quay and generally gave us a Cornish welcome in Corinth harbour - Jonathan on M/Y Quester. I gave him a Cornish flag for his boat:

Jonathan lives onboard for ten months of the year then takes a winter let in town for December and January - with his dog Chico. Jonathan spent donkey years on fishing and sponge boats in the Greek Islands. If you're passing through Corinth look him up, he's a mine of information and great fun - proper Cornish :O)

NB - Tis lunchtime therefore time for Ouzo LOL

Delphi - Land of the Gods

Looking down on the theatre of ancient Delphi

 

 

Leaf or heart shaped mosaics

 

Poppies caught my eye.

 

What's left of Apollo's Temple.

Looking down on Apollo's Temple

Had a little chat with the Oracle today.

Our first grand child - Delphina - arrived ten days ago :O)

Theatre and valleys beyond.

The old adage - If  you want to get ahead, get a hat.

Twins of Argos in the Museum. Eight feet high and impressive.

Gold from the Apollo Temple.

 

I love this painting of Apollo - this is a plate for the Temple.

And lunch with one of the best views across the valley.

Lerryn lady alongside at Itea ( bus to Delphi from here).

Galaxidhi

Small town and harbor near to Itea on the northern shore of the Corinth Gulf. We almost regretted our decision to go in here. Having gone in stern to with anchor out in harbor - within an hour the wind was howling through at 40 knots - good thing I was on anchor setting as we held beautifully ;O) Couldn't leave Galaxidhi just had to sit it out for 24 hours along with an Australian boat who were light on crew and the woman had a broken arm. Still it' a sweet place, with plenty of charm: View coming into harbor:

A wonderful spot to sit a while:

Storks feature widely in Greece:

 

 

And some kind soul built this house and boat for the birds :O)

 

 

Trizonia

This is the only inhabited island in the Gulf of Corinth - 250 souls live here in peace and quiet as there are no cars or motorbikes.  Trizonia is about 800m off the coast and a Caique ( traditional wooden boat) ferries people and goods to and fro Xania on the mainland.  The tiny marina is sheltered behind the village and seems to be full of abandoned yachts including a sunken ketch right off one of the pontoons, you can see the two masts sticking out of the water:

On the quay three small tavernas where local cats make a reasonable living:

Even geese get into the fray:

And the view across to Xania from the tavern where we whiled away an hour and a couple of Ouzos:

 

Had our first swim here, just off to the left - water gin clear and cold.