Into the Gulf of Corinth, with Paul and Fabi, we just squeezed under the longest cable-stay bridge in the world,  heading eastwards towards the Corinth Canal.  Started by Nero (with the assistance of 6000 Jewish slaves) it was finished by the French in 1893.  The canal was hewn through 50metres depth of solid rock for 6 miles and is the most expensive canal in the world at E210 per trip!!! 

Knowing that passing through the canal would be a once in a lifetime journey we took turns in helming with only a few metres either side.

As we passed through the canal a bungy jumper tries to hitch a lift on our aft deck.

                                                                                                                                   

 Somethings never change.  Old wooden fishing boats in daily use from the port of Aegina.














We drank beer, swam and made merry down through the islands if Kithnos, Sifnos, Milos and into Thira.  We had a premature leaving from the port of Sifnos where we woke up a mile out to sea in a force 6 after dragging our anchor.  However, we understand from other skippers that this is a 'right-of-passage' in these islands.

The fiercest Meltemi in 20 years blew from the north as Phoenix
sailed infront of it heading south.  Paul pleaded for all sails to be
hoisted but the captain stuck to his guns and a maximum of three
was maintained.  Fabbi was a trooper and kept everyone well fed
when she was the only one capable of going below.

Old Thira built on a mountain top after the original town (some say - including us - to be the mythical town of Atlantis) was blown away in a volcanic eruption in 1453BC.  This also, according to the pilot book, produced a tsunami 100mtres high which moved throught the Med at 160kph from which the Minoans never recovered. 

Throughout the islands there are churches perched on mountain tops, squeezed into the tiniest of spaces in towns and villages and in the middle of fields in the middle of nowhere - and they are all locked!  However, we have been in a couple of larger churches and even a monastery chapel which were very ellaborate - Greek Orthodox - but had a feeling of serenity and holyness.

Galipolli to Patras

                                                   
Paul and Claire, Emerald Bay, Anti Paxos




Floating swing bridge, Levkas canal. Between mainland Greece and Nisos Lekkas




Inland Gulf of Amvrakia.  Roman ruins at Nicopoli




Pirates off Sephalonia!!!


Stilt houses, Missalonghi, Gulf of Patras




                                          






New crew, Claire and Pete, arrive during a stormy night in Galipolli and work like Trojans to keep old Phoenix away from the quayside.  But like all tropical winds they are a storm in a teacup and by morning the sun was out again.  Goodbye Italy, we're heading for the Greek Islands.  First island Othoni where the anchorage was a bay with a taverna - this is more like it!  Heading westward to Corfu with a stop at the old town which was a warren of small streets and delicious smells.  And in the middle A Cricket Ground!!!  Another possible venue for a tour from Mount Edgcoumbe Cricket Club. Heading south we found Emerald Bay at Anti Paxos where the colour of the water lived up to its name and we snorkled and chased fish. 

Following in the wake of Octavius as he did battle with Mark Anthony during one of the many Roman civil wars, Phoenix sailed into the inland Gulf of Amvrakia where we struggled with the dinghy over an old Roman port to find the ruins of Nicopoli, a city built by Octavius in commemoration of his victory over his rival.
Through the Levkas canal with its swinging floating bridge and onto Spartakahori, Meganisi where we found the most beautiful taverna at sea level and an even better one on the cliff 500m above. Dodged the pirates off Cephalonia and made it safe to Zakinthos on the only stormy day we had.  Heading back inland we came across the stilted fishermans houses of Missalonghi and onward to our final destination of Patras.