Ionian Flotilla Sailing, 1999

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We occupied "Paulina", a Moody 28CS, for a fortnight in the Ionian with Neilson (used to be known as Sunworld Sailing). 

Paulina in Kalamos.

Paulina in Kalamos.

Standard Ionian flotilla holiday.  Our itinerary was Nidri, Lefkas - Sivota, Lefkas - Kioni, Ithaca - Vassiliki, Lefkas - Fiskardo, Kephalonia - Agios Euphemia, Kephalonia - Frikes, Ithaca - Kalamos, Kalamos - Astakos, Mainland - Frikes, Ithaca - Port Atheni, Meganisi (beach barbecue) - Paleiros (aka Zaverda), mainland - Little Vathi, Meganisi - Nidri, Lefkas.

Weather was mixed - we went in September, and the first week was fine and sunny (mostly), but the second week was dull, with a bit of rain.  Some flat calm days when we motored, some wonderful F3-5 sailing days, some F6-7 sailing days when we decided to motor.... 

On our two-day freesail, by ourselves, we chose to go to Astakos, on the mainland.  On the way back to Frikes, we saw a pod of dolphins between the Dragonera Islands and Astakos - cloudy condensed breath, smooth grey backs breaking the surface, dorsal fins.  Great!

We took time out from the sailing to visit the famous Melissani Lake Caves on Kephalonia.

Fantastic sails - from Polis bay on Ithaca down to Ag Euphemia - a wonderfully relaxing F3 run, goose-winged, down the channel between Ithaca and Kephalonia; from Frikes to Port Atheni - lovely F3-4 beat with a flat sea.

Linda sailing Paulina near Skorpios (the Onassis island).

Linda sailing Paulina near Skorpios (the Onassis island).

Paulina tied up at Sivota, Lefkas.

Paulina tied up at Sivota.

Lovely harbour-side tavernas at Sivota, Lefkas.

Lovely harbour-side tavernas at Sivota.

A fisherman at Fiskardo, Kephalonia weighs his catch.

A fisherman at Fiskardo, Kephalonia weighs his catch.

Main street alonside the harbour at Fiskardo, Kephalonia.

Main street alonside the harbour at Fiskardo, Kephalonia.

Lunch at anchor in Polis Bay, Ithaca.

Lunch at anchor in Polis Bay, Ithaca.

Paulina tied up at Frikes, Ithaca.

Paulina tied up at Frikes, Ithaca.

Fishermen sort out their nets at Frikes, Ithaca.

Fishermen sort out their nets at Frikes, Ithaca.

Harbourside tavernas at Frikes, Ithaca.

Harbourside tavernas at Frikes, Ithaca.

Next time (if...) we'll choose a Moody 31 - all control lines brought back to the cockpit, so you could reef without having to go up to the mast, also an electric for'ard anchor winch, also a bit more headroom in the saloon (and in the heads!).

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