Coorabell in Corfu

Hi everyone and welcome back,

Its a beautiful Corfu Saturday afternoon as I sit in the White House Taverna overlooking "Coorabell" gently rocking at anchor in Kalami Bay. A small bay with a pebble beach, three tavernas on the beach and several holiday villas. The taverna has an interesting history being the house in the 1930's of the famous English writers Lawence and Gerald Durrell. The house/restaurant is also famous for being in the James Bond movie For your eyes only. Of course, a cold Greek wine in hand.

The White House

Kioni Harbour

But back to where we last left off. After viewing the now infamous four turtles,  decided after walking through the township to enjoy a  cold Greek wine as a sundowner in the cockpit. We  were stern too the town seawall of Argostoli when I heard a voice call out "Coorabell". After introducing himself, our new friend was from Vaucluse in Sydney with a Greek ancestry. No sooner had he left to return with his wife and drinks were being enjoyed all round in the cockpit. His family were originally from this region and over more drinks he advised us to sail the ten miles north to a small island called Ithaca and especially berth at a small harbour called Kioni, where they had a family villa. We departed the following morning and spent an uncomfortable night anchored at Vathi. Early the next morning, wearing for the first time our wet weather gear, we sailed the five miles and mid morning entered to magical harbour of Kioni. With space for only fifteen or so yachts, we managed to secure a berth along the seawall and began to marvel at the beauty of this village. Four small restaurants and a store. Picture postcard. We met up with our new friends Jim and Rainn and enjoyed two days at this island. Surely this village is what every cruising yachtsmen loves to sail into. However, time to move on and we set sail for Sivota on Lefkas Island. Anchored in a pretty small bay to the south which was a base for charter yachts. Very busy but also peaceful. For a change we had a deadline to make at Cleopatras Marina on the mainland, so after staying only one night, sailed north. This was to provide another Corinth Canal experience as we had to navigate the Lefkas Canal passing through the floating swing bridge. Fear not folks, during our passage we anchored overnight in an bay and enjoyed sundowners at a restaurant on the beach. Cheap with great views. After negotiating the channel, we waited with other yachts to pass through the bridge which opens on the hour. Remember readers that yachts cannot queue, so much jostling was to be had! In amongst this confusion were large tugs and barges also trying to get through.



Travels Tip #5. Sitting in the cockpit enjoying a grilled octopus lunch ( with cold greek wine ) I was asked by a well dressed man on the seawall what language I spoke. I replied "English". He quickly walked up the gangplank and handed me a copy in English of The Watch Tower. Lesson here - pretend you are deaf!

We continued on for another hour and entered Cleopatra Marina. We intend to winter the boat here this year so had to make arrangements and also to pick up friends from Byron, Suzanne and Colin. Soon we were navigating the Levkas Channel, stopping briefly at Levkas Town for supermarket supplies and lunch. Off again for the island famous for its wasps - Meganissi. A short sail soon saw us anchored in a beautiful bay and ashore for sundowners. The guide book did not exaggerate about the wasps. However, we enjoyed ourselves for three nights here and off again north to Paxos Island. A good day sailing with the wind dying out towards dusk. By now, your Captain and courageous crew were beginning to wonder where to anchor for the night. Studying the chart, our navigator discovered a secluded bay about two miles north. As dusk decended, we entered one of the nicest bays called Mongonissi ,we have encounted. Small with several other yachts anchored, with a tavern within swimming distance. Ashore we studied the local tourist guide book and looking around this is a beautiful green island. We spent two nights here before sailing north to a small village at the top of the Island which we where recommended not to miss. As we entered the bay, the waterfront township of Lakka opened up to us. The bay was three metres deep, crystal clear water over sand. The minor problem was the other seventy two yachts also anchored here!

An enjoyable evening was spent anchored here before sailing north again to our destination - Corfu Town on Corfu. Taking some advise from an Australian yacht we had encountered, we berthed inside the old fort at the Corfu Sailing Club. Run down and expensive but right in the heart of the town. After dusk we ventured out and enjoyed dinner and drinks studying the passing parade. As most people here live in apartments, at 9pm the alleyways, parks and streets are filled with people, children and dogs. 10pm at night and it is daylight! Here our friends departed and Kath and I sailed for a few hours discovering a small bay with several tavernas on the pebbly shore. It was time for some serious relaxing, and here we are quietly anchored after our fifth night here. Tomorrow we will do the short motor to Gouvia Marina where we need some minor repairs done to "Coorabell".

However, dear readers, not is all beer and shittles for your sailing adventurers - Kathleen discovered after much noise holding, that a small leak was in our fwd sewerage holding tank, resulting in sewerage making its way slowly into the bilge. The fault was quickly repaired however, since then it has been my job to lift all the floor boards, sponge out the bilges and then disinfect each morning.

Hope that all healthy