Did I mention the jumping fish in Ormos Valtou? The place was lousy with them! Escapees from the adjacent fish farm, perhaps? That’s some Darwinism for you. We departed our quiet bay for points south, Platarias harbour to be precise. After a lovely lunch in town, Mike decided to try kiting in this big, beautiful bay. The first attempt was not very successful, wind wasn’t quite strong enough, but on the second try he went like gangbusters! Thelma was delighted to witness her boy on the water.
Bellies full, fridge full, and diesel tanks full, the next day we continued south to Mourtos, also on the mainland. It’s the launching point to explore the Sivota Islands. We did some actual sailing on this leg and our crew were stellar! No tears and no sickness–a success!
We anchored in a narrow channel between an island and the mainland. Mike and I went ashore for a walk and a drink at the beach resort and met this guy hanging out.
The next day we went for a little jaunt *cough* dealt with holding tanks *cough* and then returned and tied back in the same channel we had been in the previous night. Nice clear water for swimming, tiny pipefish swimming around. Apparently they hang out vertically in the weeds to disguise themselves. Also saw some weird, mangy-looking clams.
Next stop–Gaios, Paxos! We made Thelma wear a life jacket because she was scampering all over the boat like an old salt. An old salt who can’t swim, that is.
We went to the dock in Gaios so the ladies could disembark and explore the adorable little town at their leisure. Ma bought me a nice terrycloth bathrobe–very cosy to wrap up in after swimming now that the air is cooling a bit. Thanks Mama!
Ma and I went for pizza for lunch and Mike and Thelma walked to the beach to go swimming. Mom also found a bookstore to replenish her stash–no one reads more than my mother! Mom was too full to join us for supper, so Mike, Thelma and I went to Pan and Theo, just across from our spot at the dock. Part of my master plan was to get their WiFi password, but the signal was too weak in the restaurant to get anything done, let alone on the boat. Foiled again. Dinner was tasty, though, and Thelma tried her first moussaka. She seemed more enamoured with Mike’s baked eggplant, truth be told.
The next day it was back to Mourtos to tie back again. Most of these movement decisions are based on the wind and weather forecast. Mike is addicted to WindyTV, and rightly so. We were closer to the resort in Mourtos, so it was back to the bar to have a drink and get the WiFi password. Ran into some old friends.
When we set the anchor Mike and I were not completely satisfied with it, but we planned to revisit it later. Oops, forgot to do that. Flash forward to 2am–thunderstorms and wind set in, Mike went up top to watch the show, checked the anchor, it wasn’t holding, so we ended up abandoning our spot and anchoring out in the channel. The moms were aflutter, and my poor mom banged her mouth on the woodwork while she was digging out a raincoat to offer me. Ouch! The last thing I said to Ma before going up to work on the anchor issue was “Don’t let Thelma come up here”!” To her credit, she tried, but Thelma couldn’t resist and popped up offering to help. Second try with the anchor worked, and we returned to bed sopping wet, but feeling more secure.
Heading north, we returned to Ormos Valtou, though the second bay in, last time we were in the third bay. This bay is huge and there were only a couple other boats, which was surprising since the bay is so sheltered. We enjoyed our solitude, and Thelma watched a swimmer she swore must be an Olympian.
The next morning we returned to Corfu and anchored in the bay just south of the Old Fort.
Mike decided to hang back and nap, so he dropped me and the moms off at the yacht club under the Old Fort. This dinghy ride was the first time I saw my mom blanche–fast and bumpy! She was a trouper, though, and found her happy place on the floor of the dinghy.
We walked through the local park and proceeded to explore Corfu Town, a beautiful spot with French and Venetian influences. The old town of the city is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Thelma thought the hanging laundry was charming, but Mother was unimpressed as she sees that at home every day.
We stopped for lunch along the Liston, which was built to mimic the Rue de Rivoli in Paris. This is my fave photo of the trip!
The ladies completed their vacation shopping and I bought a lovely mother-of-pearl ring to serve as an interim wedding ring. My actual ring is buried in a box in Ontario, but it’s funny how after years of not wearing it because of my painting business now my hand feels naked without my new ring. I am NOT wearing it all the time, though–sailing + ring = missing finger!
The next morning we returned to our starting point at Gouvia Marina. We rented a car for the next morning’s 5am trip to the airport and did some groceries. Mike and I had planned on taking the ladies out for a big final dinner, but they were all played out, so we ate leftovers and had an early night.
The next morning I got up to say my farewells and sent Mike off to chauffeur them to the airport and make sure they got on their flight to Athens. Here is Mama leaving the boat looking adorbs in her traveling outfit–hope Father Gilbert liked his hat!!
The boat felt pretty empty after two weeks of mom time. We sure enjoyed the visit!
