Strong south easterlies are forecast for a couple of days, and with little shelter for the next 40 or so miles with winds in that direction we opted for Pilos Town Quay for a couple of nights, and with only a couple of other boats on the wall meant that we could tie up side-to. We took off on a wander up the hill to Panagia Mirtithiotissa, the very pretty town Greek Orthodox church (locked). On the way back we bought some fruit veg and nuts from various stalls on the way down and stopped for a coffee and a toastie. The waitress stopped to talk to a friend in a passing car who wanted to know where her sister was. She was walking towards them and the waitress said she’s a thousand kilometres away. (Apparently a well known saying when someone’s right by you!). We also bought a bottle of red for €12 at this bar/café, it had better be good! Onwards to the Chandlery again where we managed to get some flexible SS wire and lock for the outboard motor and tender and yet another free bottle of e.v. olive oil.
All was well until early evening when the Port Police turned up, demanding that we visit their office. So after dinner on board, and apprehension over Transit Logs and the fact that we don’t have one, or indeed need one, (but we’ve been told they don’t always know the law on that) we ventured to their 2nd floor office overlooking the harbour. After about half an hour, the very officious and efficient lady police officer had taken copies of our passports, crew list (we had one since arriving in Corfu 3 years ago which we’ve amended) and wanted an audit trail confirming Jacana hadn’t left Greek waters in the past 3 years with Cleopatra’s winter berthing receipts and Tepai’s (cruising tax) covering all the time in the water. In the end she was satisfied, and issued and stamped a new crew list and let us go. However, she did say that we would likely have to do the same again if asked by other Port Police. We were lucky that this process only took half an hour and we didn’t have anyone in front of us).
So the chance to see a bit more of Pilos and enjoy a meal with their own bottled wine at the Koykos Restaurant overlooking the harbour. Not before, however, the Port Police (a different pair) coming round and telling us to take our papers to the office. However, once we’d explained we’d been Friday evening, they went on their way.
The weather continues to be very mixed, sunshine, hot dry, hot humid, very heavy rain wind or still and cold temperatures.
