Monday 26 June 2017 – Patras

A day of some new experiences.  We left Trizonia at a reasonable time after 9am.  We do not have far to go (less than 20 miles) but that wind god was against us again.  We did rather expect it.  So we had 9-11 knots on the nose most of the way to the Rion Bridge.  The wind got stronger as we approached the bridge, probably because the sea narrows and the wind gets tunneled down the narrows.

The bridge is quite a sight.  Four spans of modern construction.  There is a clear protocol in going under it.  You are required to call up on the radio when 5 miles from the bridge.  You are then given instructions about which span to pass under depending on the direction you are going and your destination.  Most of the westward going boats were directed to the North span, but because we were going to Patras (on the south side) we were directed to the Southern span.  Then at one mile away you call again and get final clearance to pass under.  It is all very organized and traffic control were very polite and helpful.

After the bridge we only had about 4 miles to Patras yacht harbour.  It is a strange place.  It is a proper marina, but it does not appear anyone has done any maintenance on it for years.  But we are neatly directed into a space and given a lazy line very efficiently (even if the room to manoeuver and turn was rather tight).  It is remarkably cheap.  31 Euros for two nights.  They do this deal, for every night you pay you get a free night.  The cost includes water and electricity.  The staff are very friendly.  They arrange for someone to come and collect my laundry which will be returned tomorrow morning.  They have identified where the Vodafone shop is, but it is closed this afternoon, so we have to go tomorrow.  There is a big supermarket nearby and banks.  So with unlimited water we can clean everything and get ready for the next three weeks. 

The only problem is that it is dreadfully hot.  Despite this I do put lunch together and wash up and do some hand washing.  Richard’s batik shirts dry within an hour!  When I can’t take any more heat we go to find a café to have an iced coffee.  We find one just opposite our pontoon and it is air conditioned!  Heavenly.  The only odd thing is that we are the only people in there over the age of 30!  But hey we got cool.

There are showers here but they look dreadful.  So we will wash on the boat.  Again with unlimited water that will be no problem except I really need to wash under the shower floor.  Richard says the temperature is supposed to go down tomorrow.  Let’s hope so for me to get all our chores done.

We would have eaten out again, but couldn’t find anywhere worthwhile, so I just to pasta and pesto on board which does not involve standing below and cooking for any length of time.

There is free WIFI here, but it only works near the office.  Richard will try to go there and see if it is still on to post this.