Patras to Paxos and back into the Ionian Sea

Friday 29 May

Another early start from Patras heading for Lefkas. Uneventful night in the marina at Patras and it was as smelly as it had been previously.  Happy to be on our way again and a call from Sue to suggest that as we were doing so well they would stay on Paxos and wait for us there rather than heading for Corfu on Saturday. As we hadn't visited Paxos before we were very happy to do so. Had a good trip to Lefkas taking approximately 10 hours. 

Rion Bridge - linking main land Greece to the Peloponnese

Saturday 30 May

Up early yet again to catch the swing bridge which opens on the hour only and for the first time in the day at 7 a.m. Another uneventful voyage to Paxos but a bit of a swell to start with left over from strong winds in the centre of the Ionians over the previous couple of days. Heard from Lollipop  that they were 'saving us a place' next to them so anxious to get there before anyone else nabbed it.  Arrived just after 11.30 a.m. and squashed ourselves in beside Lollipop but also three small local boats.  The local boats spread themselves about over the course of the winter and also generally seem to be taking over most small harbours and town quays etc. sometimes going alongside and are very annoying for larger boats wanting to muscle in and take up space, especially over the weekend. There were notices up directing different sizes of boats along this particular quay but ignored by the locals.  

Sequel and Lollipop in Gaios, Paxos

Lovely to see Sue and Mike and we all trotted off to the local cafe to collect an electricity card and had lots to catch up on over coffee and then lunch.

Gaios, Paxos

Sisters in Paxos

Sunday 31 May

Another lovely day, more coffee, more chat. Evening meal on Lollipop.  All very good but punctuated by the slightly irate owner of one of the small boats sandwiched between Lollipop and Sequel who exchanged words with the Captain while the rest of us snoozed away the afternoon. 

Monday 01 June

On our way now to Corfu and Gouvia Marina (Lollipop on her way too) for possibly four nights before the next big step towards Croatia.  Feeling a little anxious as the Captain is thinking of a long passage (24 hours) to take us to Montenegro, passing along the coast of Albania. Although he keeps saying he wants an Albanian stamp in his passport and I think he may have a plan to stop off somewhere en route. Our shipping date has been put back again so having thought we needed to get to Split by 10 June, or even a little earlier to be on the safe side, we have been told the next ship could be any time between 25 June - 5 July. But we are also in touch with another company, via Linssen Yachts, who sail from Tivat, Montenegro. Again it is all a little vague and a ship will only be available if there is enough cargo.  If we haven't heard anything by the time we get to Tivat we will continue to Split and depending on the timing we are thinking of returning to the UK rather than hanging around until the due date.  All a bit frustrating.