As Harry flew out of Preveza David flew in.
From Preveza we headed back down south, through the Lefkada lifting bridge and to the island of Meganisi where our first stop was Abelike bay.
A quick drink in the taverna in the bay before a walk up and over into Little Vathi.
Looking back down into Abelike bay and across to the majestic mountains on mainland Greece.
A colourful little fishing boat came around selling fish. Nice idea but we have been caught with this before when we were in Italy - it cost us a fortune and the fish, whatever they were, were not nice.
From Abelike we sailed over to the island of Kalamos where George still runs the quay - it is a few years since we were last here. He is great at directing you in, taking lines etc and then has the only taverna on the quay side.
David and I had a walk up to the top of the village - walks always seem to involve going uphill - and then took a dubious looking path which we decided probably took us back to the quay - and it did!
Time for an ouzo on the water's edge at George's looking across to the island of Kastos.
From Kalamos we sailed towards big Vathi on the island of Ithaca, stopping off here in One House Bay (see what I mean about the Greek's imaginative names for bays?!) on the small island of Atoko.
Amazing "folded" rock formations on the cliff face.
After a short lunch stop at One House bay we continued on to Big Vathi and anchored in the bay there off the town quay. This view is looking back out of the bay, past the tiny island with a chapel on it and the huge tall ship that came in that night.
Walking around the town we saw this beautiful combination of bougainvillea, oleander and jacaranda (I think?)
Uh-oh! David checking out his next property project?
The seafront road where David's "project" was!
Leaving Vathi we followed the east coast of Ithaca, passing this typically very remote chapel on the coast..........
..........and into Kioni.
The weather is really warming up now so we walked around the bay for a swim off this little beach
A very noisy nestful of swallow chicks right behind where we were moored on the quay.
How did they all fit in that nest?!
After much encouragement from both parents and possibly "auntie" who joined in, they made their first tentative flight and managed to land on next door's anchor chain.
All lined up - there is always one that has to face the wrong way for the photo!
A similar photo to previous blog post, but added here as it shows the island of Atoko in the distance and you can just see the white cliffs of One House Bay.
After a day in Kioni, and a beer with Sam and Anna, we continued around the north coast of Ithaca and across to the port of Fiskardho on the island of Kephalonia.
This is another spot we haven't been to for several years. It seems that they have greatly reduced the space for yachts to moor and we had to anchor with long lines onto the rocks on the left hand side of the bay.It was actually a beautiful spot, away from the noise and bustle of the popular town.
But the ice cream is just as good as ever!
I couldn't resist buying Dave this teeshirt that David spotted in one of the shops along the seafront!
From Fiskardho we headed north to Sivota on the south coast of the island of Lefkada. Strange to be heading into fog - I have never seen that out here before but luckily it cleared as we got closer.
Captain and First Mate putting the world to rights over a cold Mythos!
After an overnight stop in Sivota we went into Vliho bay for Sunday roast and apple crumble at the Yacht Club........
.......and next stop was Spartahori on the north coast of Meganisi.
A steep climb up (again) to one of the best views in the Ionian and the best cold beer / fresh orange juice - much needed once you get to the top!
Dinner at Stephan and Gerry's right on the water's edge.
Back to Preveza and we hired a car to go to the archeological museum and also to the ancient site at Nekropolis.
This huge city wall could be seen stretching off into the distance.
Detail of one of the mosaic floors.
On the quay in Preveza, moored outside the town hall and the bank with a rather ornate balcony. We had dropped David off at the airport as we had the hire car and now we are waiting for Peter to arrive tonight.
