Ithaca – Lefkada Canal – Corfu … Down to 4

The team was now down to 4 Hew and I and Pete and Di. We decided that after three very social weeks we should all take a more modest approach to life and try and get some fitness back in the regime as well.!! We left Kefalonia for Ithaca because it was on the way north and Di wanted to find a house belonging to a relative and a Monastery caretaker who was related to a friend. Any reason for an adventure is good. We were going to spend one night in Konoi but in the end, we spent two nights there. Very popular anchorage.

The first day we decided to take a taxi to the monastery and then walk to the town of Anogi to see the house and then on down Kioni village. Walk- Monastery to Agoni then Kioni.

Unfortunately, the caretaker who Di came to see was in Vathi for the day. But we had a walk around before starting on the track. The bell tower of the monastery was further up the hill in amongst a cluster of aerials – the old and the new – probably a way to make money for the church.

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Then it was off to walk the track which Di had looked up and it said it was an “easy track”. It may have been for goats but a bit more ruggard and uphill than we were expecting. Spectacular views through to the south over Vathy and towards Kefalonia. Passed a few goats in the second half of the track, but no walkers.

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Once we reached the village we discovered there was no food as the cafe was catering for a party that night – so coffees and ice cream only. After a brief stop, we headed off to look at the house as it had been pointed out by the taxi driver and when Di tried to get more information at the cafe we found the taxi driver’s husband there drinking coffee with his friends. We learnt that the man who had just died, had a brother who had died previously, and so there were no living relations there – they were in NZ and Australia.

Hew and I headed off downhill and Pete opted for a taxi, while Di wanted to idle along at her own speed. The track down was for the most part much better than the part form the Monastery to Anogi with only a rough bit in the middle, and also a large olive grove. There was also a little chapel that was very cute about halfway down the hill.

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We got back to Kioni late in the day so decided to stay the night.

Next day it was off to Paxos via Lefkas Canal which we reached at 1100 right in time for the opening on the hour.

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The next day was off to Paxos where we stayed at Mongonisi Bay again since we had liked the anchorage so much the first time. We again tried for the quayside but the wind was wrong so anchored on the other side of the bay against the cliffs with five other catamarans – three owned by New Zealanders, us, “Site Office” a lagoon sailing catamaran and “Oscar” – leopard power cat, plus one by an American and one by a French Fountain Pajot ower. Mongonissi Bay Bar was shutting that weekend – the end of the season, and the other cafe was only going for two more weeks. Made us realise that the cruising was really getting close to the end.

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The next morning we sailed past the main town of Gaios and there were only three yachts at the quayside whereas a month ago it had been full with over 50 yachts – huge change.

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Next Stop Corfu.