On our way to calmer waters, we hope and Methoni.
Whilst having departed from Koroni on the 25th August to run away from the storm and high winds bubbling up behind us again, we weren’t quite so successful with the rain, thunder and lightning, still motoring with our navigational instruments off and all our portable electronics in the microwave was a piece of cake compared to the last couple of days!
Thankfully the lightning went on its way in time for us to put the instruments back on as we approached the seaside town of Foinikounta with its beautiful sandy beaches and a wonderfully calm anchorage in shallow waters. Peace at last, despite the threatening skies.
We stayed on board for the afternoon and evening, watched the sun go down and well just enjoyed the tranquility for a while. Happy days 😍
The following morning, still in beautifully calm waters, I then paddle boarded ashore, camera in its waterproof bag again, to explore. It was a very sleepy town, but I could tell that it would be quite lively in the evening, had we decided to stay, but still pastures new were waiting for us.
Foinikounta
So on my return to the boat, bearing gifts, well orange cake, miraculously not salt ridden, we set sail in a gentle SW2 around the headland to Methoni. I will let the pictures of our approach do the talking!
Methoni
Methoni liеs оn the tip οf the wеsternmost leg оf the Peloponnese. The sеttlement is famous fоr thе histοricаl Castle built by thе Venetians in the 13th сеnturу, which as you can see is right by the seа.
We stayed put for a while for the weather to clear, and then jumped in the dinghy to go ashore as the sun was setting, to explore and go for a bite to eat!.
We managed to grab the last table at Nikos Taverna, which seemed to be the only restaurant worth eating at, (perhaps we should have chosen Foinikounta for our night ashore), as the new town really was very simple. One would have thought with such a piece to resistance as the castle the Greeks would have made more of it, but in this neck of the woods, there really isn’t much capitalism. Still we had some very tasty baked feta cheese following by lamb chops and not 1/2 litre, but a full litre of red wine, (and some, as they gave us another quarter on the house). Suffice to say the dinghy ride home was a hoot!
In the morning we got up early to see if there was more to the new town than we had found the night before, and wander up to the castle.
By 11, we were back on board and setting sail up the west coast of what is now called the Southern Ionian, passing the castle on its “under” side as we went.
27th August 2022
