Serenity: Chris & Desi come to visit

After spending July and August back in the UK, we flew back to Greece in September and Serenity was put back in the water from the boatyard. A couple of days on Preveza quay to get her ready and then Chris and Desi arrive to join us.

As none of us had ventured far into the Gulf of Amvrikikos behind Preveza we decided to go exploring. So pleased that we did - what an amazing area - an inland sea surrounded by magnificent mountains and lots of wild life.

First stop was the anchorage near Vonista

Beautiful anchorage to the right of the picture behind this causeway which joins the chapel on the island to the mainland. A short walk from here took us into the town of Vonitsa.

Looking at the forecast, we decided to move into the small harbour the next day - glad we did when we saw this weather coming in!

A walk from the harbour, through the woods took us past this lovely old chapel and back into town.

A day in Vonitsa to shop - wonderful old wood fired oven bakery, butchers and supermarket. A man came along to the boat selling fruit and veg from his car - so fresh and so cheap! Peaches, tomatoes, grapes, nectarines, oranges for 8€

Chris and Desi on the lookout for dolphins..........

........and there is one!

On a different day, as we crossed the gulf from south to north we met a pod of about 20 dolphins. Seven of them came to join us, as we were sailing at about 6.5 knots and no motor, they played around the bow of the boat for about 15 minutes - racing round behind us and zooming past, diving under the bows and rolling on their sides so they could look up at us. Such a magical experience - they don't normally stay for so long and I didn't want to miss watching them to go and fetch the camera so no photos but wonderful memories!

On the subject of wildlife we also saw a lot of turtles, three stingrays, lots of egrets and a small flock of pelicans - sorry no photos!

From Vonitsa we sailed along the south shore of the gulf and came to this idyllic bay where we anchored with only three other boats. The whole area was so quiet compared to the islands of the Ionian further south. This picture is taken from the small, family run taverna - the only building in the bay - where we had the most delicious prawn saganaki. The gulf is famous for the huge prawns that they catch here.

From that bay to another bay travelling east where we were the only boat there and nothing ashore. It really is 360 degree scenery but difficult to capture on a photo.

Happy sailors!

We left that anchorage and sailed across the gulf to the small town of Menidhion in the north east corner.

This is the view from the shore looking out at Serenity - again the only boat anchored there.

The bright lights of Menidhion!

In the evening the fishermen go out in small boats and lay nets around the bay to catch the prawns, which they collect in the morning.

In the morning our brave, hunter gatherers went to buy prawns off the fishermen as they came in - they don't come much fresher than that!

That evening Desi made us an amazing prawn saganaki - prawns in tomato sauce with onion and red peppers, ouzo and feta cheese crumbled on top - wonderful!

Now heading west along the north shore, an overnight anchorage and stunning sunset.

Desi is sent up to the bows to look out for rocks as we want to anchor off the rocky islands. She had lots of practice of guiding the boat through coral reefs when they were in the Pacific islands!

Calm waters

A trip back across to Vonitsa for supplies. Large castle on the hill behind the harbour but not open when we were there. Dave and I had visited it when we were last here about ten years ago.

Choppy waters in our last anchorage. We had intended to stop again before going back into Preveza but the local fisherman here told us the bad weather was coming in sooner than our forecast was predicting - always wise to go with local knowledge!

We were anchored just outside this harbour at Koronisia, the charts had said that it wasn't deep enough for us to go into but having spoken to people in there it seems it may be. Later, Dave and Chris went off in the dinghy with a lead line to check out the depths and it would be deep enough ......just!

These are the small, low fishing boats they go out in in all weathers.

At the top of the village was this beautiful church that had been restored fairly recently

Views around the village

The old bell outside the church and.....

......a colourful entrance.

The tiny chapel by the harbour.

The view from the church looking north over the water meadows of the national park. Apparently there are water buffalo and flamingoes living here but you would have to go trekking to see them.

Walking back down to the harbour with Serenity in the distance.

On the way down we saw this tree laden with fruit and the owner insisted we should have some. The ripe fruit is bright orange and we discovered they were persimmon fruit - very nice and sweet with some Greek yoghurt!