Corinth Canal & Delphi

I am writing this having still not managed to post the previous update as we haven’t been able to find an internet café anywhere we have stopped.

So what has happened, well after leaving Epidhavros we sailed to Korfos where we met up again with our friends Ian & Sue on Pulsar II, as we planned to go through the canal together. We had to stay at anchor in Korfos for two nights as the canal is closed on Tuesdays for maintenance.

On Wednesday 1st August (perfect planning!) we passed through the Corinth Canal that joins the Gulf of Corinth to the Aegean Sea. The canal divides the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland and is just 3.2 miles long. For its length it is the most expensive piece of waterway in the world but it saves the long journey round the bottom of Greece. It is only 25m wide and as you pass through it you see various colours of paint left on the vertical limestone sides that rise up to 76m by the large cargo and cruise ships that pass through the canal. It is an amazing sight and you can’t believe that such large ships are taken through, it felt narrow even in Tiamat.

Having successfully negotiated the canal and with our wallets considerably lighter we motored to the town of Itea, which is on the North side of the Gulf of Corinth. Here we tied up to the quay of the ‘unfinished’ marina for three nights, taking the opportunity to fill up with diesel again.

As well as it being a convenient stopping off point whilst going through the Gulf, the real reason for coming to Itea was so we could visit the site of Ancient Delphi. This is one of the most spectacular and beautiful classical sites in Greece and was regarded by the Greeks to be the centre of the world. Delphi sits high up the side of Mt Parnassos and is surrounded by sheer cliffs and ravines. It is an impressive sight with the remains of temples stretching over a wide area. This was a real highlight of this years trip.

From Itea we continued west through the Gulf to the wonderful little island of Trizonia. Here we were able to tie up alongside in another of the ‘unfinished’ marinas that seem to be prevalent in Greece. Trizonia is a very small relatively unspoilt island that is even vehicle free. There is an idyllic little fishermen’s wharf which has some good Tavernas along the edge and there are lovely walks around the island through old untouched Olive Groves.

Unfortunately we became trapped in Trizonia for 5 nights, longer than we originally planned, as the wind decided to blow 30knt straight down the Gulf, whipping the sea up and sending gusts into the marina that kept us pinned against the quay. Even if we wanted to there was no way we could get off the wall so we just had to sit it out. On the plus side if you are going to be trapped somewhere I can’t think of a much better place for it to happen.

Finally after 5 days the wind dropped and we were able to leave early in the morning before the wind returned. We motored down the Gulf in a steadily rising wind but as we neared the new Rion Bridge that links the mainland to the Peloponnese, the wind dropped and we passed under the central span of this very impressive structure with only a slight breeze. We were very relieved as the wind and seas in the area of the bridge have an awesome reputation.

From the bridge we motored into the Gulf of Patras and on to the port of Missalonghi on the northern side. Missalonghi stands on salt flats and is reached by a 3 mile dredged narrow channel. The entrance to the channel has some interesting fishermen’s houses standing on stilts in the shallow water. The other thing that the port is known for is the two large turtles that inhabit the basin. We were lucky enough to see one of them blissfully sleeping on the surface and quite unaware of Tiamat as we drifted alongside.

Now the next part of our voyage begins, the Ionian. It is the 9^th August and we have the rest of the month to slowly make our way up to Corfu. The weather is turning much warmer again and they are forecasting a return to the 40C plus temperatures we had earlier. We do think of you all back in the UK in the wet and cold !

Take care.

Duncan & Kim.