Flotilla – 5.2
Table of Contents
The Morning Briefing 1
First Sail 1
Happy Hour 1
First Gathering 2
Roy and Bernie 3
DAY 2 3
Morning Briefing 3
Day 2 – Tuesday
The Morning Briefing
Weather Clear Sky’s
Max.Temp. 38C
Wind – SW -pm Force 4 – 6
Itinerary – straight run south to the island of Meganisi and berthing in its main harbour in Big Vathi (there is also – a Small Vathi). Three to four hours – depending on winds.
First Sail
We follow the lead boat out, in turn – easy exit from the Nidri jetty and soon into open water and easy route – we had done much of it in training – though not pulled into Vathi.
All line of site navigation – no need for charts and plotting bearings. Just follow your nose and the lead boat.
Soon pulling into Big Vathi – a wide harbour -plenty of room – with concrete quays,
We berth in turn – when called, with the assistance of the lead crew on the quay. Mostly asked to berth stern to – which is our preference.
Completed comfortably. Just a step to get onto the quay and town amenities just a short walk away – and then –
Happy Hour
Time to chill and – what soon became one of the best parts of the day – ‘happy hour’.
in Nidri, before departure, we had stocked up the fridge – and not with much food, just nibbles and drink of course – including water! It looked like most others had done the same!
A line of cockpits – everyone with a table of bottles and glasses.
I was already sold on sailing – now, day’s sail done- through clear blue warm water – sat in the sun with a cold beer just a short walk to dinner –– I loved it!
Bit of a freshen up and change of clothes and we meet up on the quay for a short walk for dinner. A lovely restaurant with large patio overlooking the water – and still great for outside dining – with a single table set for twenty – so the whole fleet, signed up for the first dinner.
First Gathering
Jugs of punch to start with and then a served buffet type dinner with about five courses of local specialities – everyone one very eatable – and some local fish to die for.
Everybody loose and comfortable with easy conversations. We had got opposite Matt and Karen and in talking distance of the lead crew, there is clearly a mutual spirit to sailing and – we had seen it in the UK – a real fraternity – or it could be the punch. (In Greece they don’t use measures or optics).
Spoke to other people, of course. might be coincidence – but all of them interesting in many ways. just in our conversational circle:
Matt and Karen – we knew – he was already recognised as the master of the radio – always sounded like he was taking off at Heathrow – very reassuring.
Dave and his Russian partner Olga – met at swimming classes just six months before.
Charles and Rita – he was retired ex-Mayor of Lincoln and she was his last secretary and second wife. A story there somewhere!
Bob and a Jennie – now retired in Devon – ran pubs on the south coast all their working life. No age discrimination in sailing.
but – what fascinated me the most was –
Roy and Bernie
Living in Portsmouth and he was planning on buying his own boat when he got home.
He was self-employed – no idea at what – and quick to say that – he had served short prison terms for minor offences and as he put it – slept quite a few nights on a plastic mattress i.e. a prison cell. but the result was him meeting Bernie.
She had been a warden at an open prison where he spent some time and they met up later -they were very open about that – but no more details – unfortunately.! There’s a TV series there somewhere.
He did, on another occasion, tell me that most of his offences were minor assaults – particularly when he was a club bouncer – he was a big lad.
I wouldn’t argue with her either.
But great fun to be with. – I thought! Jean came around eventually.
Easy stroll home– just get on the right boat. So back in our bunks and asleep in minutes.
No morning alarms on flotilla – only time we have is 10.30 to 11 back in the restaurant for the morning briefing – earlier – if we want a full breakfast.
Night night
DAY 2
Morning Briefing
No rush – we stick to orange juice.
Weather forecast – typical – clear skies
Max. temp – 38C
Wind S.W. – p.m. Force 4 – 6
I think, in the future, I will just say, ‘The same’ – unless it changes.
Now – what went on for the rest of the week – would take too many words. Even assuming, I could remember the detail, timing and location – which I can’t!
It was not the driest holiday we had ever had – and I’m not talking about rain.
I still have the navigation chart for the South Ionian Islands (Ref G12- Imray Tetra) which we purchased when we got home – we didn’t steal there’s!
Still on the wall of my home office, with pins identifying places we berthed at – mostly overnight – but included bays we anchored in for a home-made lunch and things like, sailing right around the Island, very visible from the quay at Nidri and referred to by the locals as – Onassis’ Island’ – proper name Skorpios.
In fact, on Nidri quay there was a prominent life size statue of Aristotle – which he, allegedly paid for himself – no ego there then!
More of that later – when it fits in.
The map and pins – helped me reconstruct the itinerary and revived memories – all pleasant, which I have distilled into something close to reality
So:
The bare Itinerary:
Day
1 – Mon. Big Vathi
2 – Tues to Spartakhori via Scorpios
3. to Kalamos – beach BBQ
4.5 free sail
6 Nidri – home