We arrived in Vlicho safe and sound on Tuesday. We provisioned the boat, returned the rental car and went for dinner in Nydri. The next morning, we had to collect the laundry for the boat (which was supposed to have been delivered before we arrived, but no matter, we managed). We filled the water tanks and prepared to get under way when I noticed that the wooden transom on the inflatable dinghy had separated from the sponson (the inflatable tube). I checked with the local chandlery but they didn’t have the right adhesive. I knew Nydri Marine would stock it, but I’d need the dinghy to get there. Catch 22!
I’m cheating. I admit it. Today (which is actually tomorrow), we’re travelling to Corfu and on to Nikea, who is in Vlicho. As we’ll be travelling for most of the day, I’m cheating by writing this blog post the day before. Yes, it’s true, it’s actually still Monday evening as I write this.
We have a flight at 06:15 out of Dublin. Yes, that’s AM. From there we’re off to Corfu. It’ll be late before we get to Nydri and the boat, as I mentioned in an earlier post.
Here’s something I wrote last year, after arriving in Greece from Vancouver.
So… Here I am in Greece, again. The poorest country in Europe, apparently. I don’t know. All I know is the people are incredibly friendly, and I had dinner and wine last night for €8. Last week I was in the Down Town East Side of Vancouver and €8 might get you a hint of wine. Besides all the beautiful people taking selfies, the buzz of urban life, and the lovely aromas of food, the homeless situation in Vancouver is at breaking point.
Having been involved in sailing for around a quarter-century at this point (and still learning), I have discovered some interesting facets about the activity which aren’t necessarily documented in the numerous books on sailing.
The first and most important quirk about sailing, is that it hates a schedule. If you’re like me, your life is divided up into little chunks of time. Each one calling on us to perform a specific function at a specific date and time. I know I’ve written about the free feeling you get when released from schedules, but it actually goes further than that.
In less than a week, we fly (once again) to Corfu. As Tim documented on his own blog, the usual route from Ireland to Nydri (where Nikea lives) is via Corfu. Aer Lingus fly around once or twice a week from Dublin to Corfu. From there, a quick taxi ride from the airport brings you to the sea port in Kerkira (or Corfu town), where ferries leave for Igoumenitsa on the Greek mainland about every thirty minutes. From there, it’s either a taxi or a one-way car rental to Nydri and on to Vlicho. All in all, it’s something of a long day, with an early flight out of Dublin (and a two hour time difference). The flight departs at around 6AM Irish (Summer) time, and we’ll arrive at the boat, around 5PM (Greek time).
Of course, who notices all that travelling when your destination is a sailboat in the Ionian Sea?