A true gentleman

It's difficult to define the magnetic romance of Paxos, but we felt reluctant to leave this morning . We had spent a relaxing evening enjoying the ' volta ' - Greek name for the evening stroll . We had a ringside seat on the quayside and enjoyed watching the fishermen mend their nets while groups of local men gathered to chew the fat with passion and gesticulation, apparently oblivious to the finery of the tourists floating around them into the tavernas.
After a morning swim we set off, with a plan of sailing round Antipaxos on our way across to the headland at Parga. As anticipated the raising of the anchor was not going to be without excitement. A huge catamaran had swept into the berth next us last night, dropping its anchor with apparent gay abandon. As we raised our anchor we lifted their chain, that had been laid across ours. This is a little tricky, but made easier by an electric windlass that enables you to pick the whole shebang up, lift the upper chain up with a rope while freeing the underlying anchor .
We were all set up for this, when a cheery voice piped up ,' Excuse me can I be of assistance? ' We looked down to see a very smart young man in dazzling white clothes, paddling in a pristine tender. He added,' I've worked for Sunsail for years and so very used to these...ho ho'
Well of course we couldn't refuse and he manfully heaved at the offending chain, freeing our anchor. However it jumped a little and off plopped a big sticky mess of filthy mud. Splat !
I was mortified, as he, for just a flashing moment, looked horrified at the disgusting mess on his tender and clothes spatter.

 '' I am so very sorry' I said with feeling.

' Absolutely no problem at all ' he replied , maintaining a perfect stiff upper lip and dazzling smile.
What a fine young chap.. I didn't have the nerve to ask for a photo and we slunk off to see him frantically trying to wash the wretched goo off. Top marks sir.

 We set sail towards Antipaxos but the wind didn't come to much and we had to motor. I always hate motoring and we always sail when we can, but there are unintended benefits of motoring ... hot showers and cold beer on arrival, not to mention getting into anchor at a reasonable time and getting a good spot.
Antipaxos is famed for its emeral green water and white cliffs. We didn't stop, because we had just set off, but did enjoy the spectacle of the yachts lingering in the bays, where their white hulls become green from the reflections. Lovely.


We arrived in Parga just as a 15 knot wind emerged from nothing.. very frustrating- but that's just how it goes . We anchored in the bay under Parga town and Venetian castle. As all historic buildings here, it had a fruity history, including Normans, Venetians, Turks under command of Barbarosa, French and British. The locals put up brave fights against all odds ...but apparently the British, having protected it for a couple of years, then did a deal with Ali Pasha [ Turk] and handed it over to him, to the consternation of the locals who all fled to Corfu. Poor show...we should get a Scottish Saltire to put up for these occasions .











Comments

  1. kiwi14 June 2018 at 16:58

    Antipaxos is where they filmed the cliff scenes for The Guns Of Navarone

    ReplyDelete

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