The Greek Odyssey: PEYC in the Med. #2

Published 6:57pm on 31 Oct 2026

Day 4: Morning in Syvota.  

A chilly north breeze but hot in the sun. A National Greek Holiday, so the shops still trading in autumn closed early. Locals returned later proudly showing mobile pics of grandchildren parading with flags, and talked of it snowing in Greece.

Geneva yacht decided to have a rest day. We had a botanical walk around Syvota with Maggie, our PEYC gardener, and Lorraine giving us IT tips on use of Google search to ID plant pics.

Scot held a TPS Greek session.

Most yachts sailed to Vathi on Ithica after a disturbed night with big swells.

 Day 5: 

The wind had blown itself out, so we meandered down the east coast of Ithica, nosed in to Frikes and Kioni, took pictures of windmills, and read about Odysseus in the Pilot Book. Michael Palin’s account was more interesting, of course. 

 We practised boat pirouettes and reversing on the mirror flat Kolpos Aetou before joining the fleet in Vathi ready for the ‘Big Push East’ early tomorrow.

 Day 6: The ‘Big Push’. 

The Corinthian Canal will be closed from the 3rd November, so we are booked in to transit from 9am on the 2nd.

80 nautical miles to go through the Gulf of Patras to Navpaktos, just past the magnificent Rion-Andirrion suspension bridge. 

Light breeze on the nose all the way. Local Greek yachts taunted us zig-zagging between our fleet. A slight diversion for a trundling trawler. Ferries whizzed by.

Our leader, Blair, who had ensured we were all out of Vathi safely, magically appeared to guide us in at the tiny castellated walled harbour, thank goodness. Does he have a Tardis, or a twin?

Mathis and Metaxa are helping us to mellow and share adventures and life-stories over dinner.

Last updated 6:58pm on 31 October 2026