Captain Pete's Voyages: The best sailing trip of my life (up to now!) part 1

I'd spent all my life sailing in the Ionian and the Adriatic. A lifelong dream of mine had been to sail round the bottom of the Pelloponese. Then in 2021 disaster struck, there was a major landslide and rockfall in the Corinth Canal and it closed indefinitely. That year all yachts travelling to and from the Ionian to the Aegean had to go the "long way round". It so happened I made that trip 3 times in 2021!

The first and best of my "circumnavigations" of the South Pelloponese was made when I was called upon to deliver a beautiful Contessa 32 to Koilada boatyard.

Coconinho was the boat, and Sofia my partner was my crew. We had time so made the trip in a number of legs, taking us around unexplored by me waters, to some of the most beautiful and off the beaten track track parts of Greece.

Here are some photos from that trip.

Coconinho getting readied for launch

Launched and ready, we get here fuelled up and shipshape for the trip.

Coconinho setting off into the June haze...

Sofia on the look out as we head into Lefkas Canal

...and towards Pera Pighadi bay in Ithaka.

Pera Pighadi anchorage

A little private bay to enjoy lunch and a swim.

Kyparissia Sunset. We were welcomed into the bay by turtles

Alongside at Kyparissia. We needed water and managed to find the telephone number of the local who holds the keys to the single tap. He very kindly drove us into town for supplies, and treated us to some icecubes courtesy of his friends at the taverna nearby. He is the local Audi car mechanic and a boat owner himself, so he is keen on helping other boaty people too!

A derelict fishing boat rusting away on the quay. Turtles kept popping out of the water to take a look at us all the while we were there.

Sailing round Sapienza Island at a brisk 7 knots, the Contessa showing us what she is made of.

Towards Koroni, and past the lighthouse towards Porto Kayo.

At anchor in Porto Kayo next to a converted lifeboat

We swam out and enjoyed lunch at a table whose legs sat in the water. Back on the boat we watched a beautiful 50 foot wooden ketch glide in and anchor. Her silouette was unmistakable. "Alexandra I" returning from the Spetses Classic boat race. I called to Niko a old sailing mate of mine, on the bow who peered at me, and only recognised me when they came a bit closer. He could not believe they were meeting friends in this beautiful and so out of the way spot. The next morning as the sun rose we glided out of the bay. Next stop? Elafonissos!