Sunday 7th to Tuesday 9th May, 2 nights in Big Vathi, Itheca

We left Vliho mid morning and had a half decent sail (ie motoring for half the time!) for the 20mile passage south to Big Vathi, where we were expecting to be able to fill up with water. However as we came in stern to, we noticed that all the electricity and water pillars were covered over. Chatting later with a bar owner (renowned for the naughty phrases on his t-shirts) he said that the local council hadn’t yet woken up to the summer season, and hadn’t even started employing Lambrini, the lady who collects the harbour fees. (She hadn’t yet received her contract from the council who were being notoriously slow.) At least we had 2 free nights.

With overcast and cool weather it was an opportunity to get the fold-up bikes out of the forward berth, pumped up, serviced and venture out on them for a couple of hours. Unfortunately every way out of Big Vathi is up a big hill so we didn’t get far, about 5 miles! Sage grows freely around here, so a few sprigs were dutifully purloined on the way.

We treated ourselves to a cold beer in the local bar and got talking to Garry and Emma on Missy who have a life-sized toy gorilla called George on board. They are live-boards and are heading for Turkey. They said we may see them in Poros tonight as we are heading the same way. Also met a group of Dutch people who will also be in Poros tonight. 😁
Being here on the quayside has given us the chance to stock up on tinned food (this will be uncharted waters for us and won’t know if/when we can get supplies next) and buy a can of petrol for the outboard.