So we are heading back to Greece in order to avoid the predicted bad weather. It is basically a similar leg to the outbound route but this time we will make landfall on the southern part of the Greek mainland - the Peloponnese. Crete turned out to be a bad option again due to potential weather problems.
The trip was uneventful and the weather gods were even smiling upon us. We had one eleven hour tack on the second day - sailing as it is meant to be!
Pylos is an attractive little town with a French influence and flair. The small square does indeed (as the pilot book says) feel like a square in a provincial French town - plane trees shading the cafe tables and ice-cream vendors. There even is a patisserie. We met up with people from the only other yacht in the harbor and had an interesting dinner. It is always fascinating when different nationalities get together. This time the two crews came from the IUS , Ireland, Australia and Israel - not bad for only six people.
It turns out it is Easter in Greece - the Greek Orthodox calendar is different than that in the Western European tradition. Tomorrow will be Good Friday. The major consequence of this is that Greece will be closed until next Wednesday. Greeks take Easter very seriously and we are looking forward to the traditional lamb dishes on Sunday.
Some thoughts from Lori
We are on day two of a three day passage... N 37. 23.372'. E 17. 28.101'. It's a hazy afternoon, and the air is fresh with a definite chill in it. We spent the morning cleaning up after the tribe of sparrows that sought refuge in our cockpit last night, and everything is ship shape. Colin and Ruairi are taking some needed downtime. I had a huge nap this morning. This is giving me some great space to just sit and think, and look and listen. I see nothing and everything... No land in sight, no boats in sight, just me and a ton of sea. I hear the wonderful sound of the water that we leave behind us, a soft intermittent moan from the mainsail as she moves slightly from starboard to port as we crest and fall over the swells. I also hear what sounds like distant fireworks, which I presume to be associated with the NATO ship that I see on our AIS. About an hour ago, I could almost see its presence, but it was 20 nautical miles off, so I couldn't make it out clearly. I hesitate to bring this up, as I know that my mother is reading this. Now that I'vedone it, let me tell you that the VHF mentioned something about a firing range test, so there are no worries momma!
I feel very fortunate. The state of affairs in the world is very distressing, and to be able to trade that for what is right here, right now - to enjoy, respect and manage to the best of our skills feels like a true privilege.