The Greek Odyssey: PEYC in the Med. #4
Published 10:32am on 6 Nov 2026
Day 10:
The famous Amphitheatre of Epidavhros, high up in the Peloponnese mountains, was constructed around 4th Century BC, and is virtually intact. A whisper on the floor is heard at every one of the 14,000 stone seats. Bob takes centre stage and gives a rendition of “The Bare Necessities of Life” with full antics. The solemn Antiquities Attendant remonstrates and shoos him off, but only when he has finished. He was that good.
In ancient times the site was more renowned as a Asclepieion sanctuary for curing the sick. Asclepius being the first Greek Demi-God. The BMA still uses the Asclepion snake symbol of regeneration as its logo. Hmm! A museum houses local finds. The site has a peaceful feeling as we wander through the acres of stones.
Back at the marina we catch the Gelataria just before it closes down for the season. We lift our hook and head out into blasting gusts. The wind is fickle. Cloud patterns are more useful weather predictors than Apps here.
Tonight the entire fleet assembles at a restaurant in Poros. Relaxed, bronzed and cheerful we catch up with others adventures.
Day 11:
The breakfast waiter at the quay-side has a thick Midlands accent and a Greek look. He has only visited the UK a couple of times. His mother did a Shirley Valentine. We understand why. Costas, where are you? I too wore short skirts once that were mistaken for a serviette.
A 360 degree view of the area from the clocktower above the town is promised from online descriptions. That’s an understatement.
Blue Morning Glory, Jasmine, Bouganvillia, prickly pear cactus and pine trees line the route up. An old salt gathers pine-cones for the winter fire. The Public Library on the route back down has the most extraordinary collection of shells from all over the world. Greeks love their museum collections. Some people take the hydrofoil to Hydra for the day, some linger in promenade cafes, others practice stern-to off the esplanade. We head off for the next stop at Perdiki.
There are two XP at Sea training yachts Sea You & Celine, in this fleet. One for general sail-training, and another is a Command Masterclass for experienced sailors. Both trainers are noticeably holding back now as the crews are demonstrating their new skills. There are also four other yachts with very experienced skippers who know these waters well, and act as ‘scouts’ and ‘moppers’ checking out harbours ahead, and making sure that no-one is left behind. It’s a tight corner for us at Perdiki, but we are a good team and get a reassuring smile from our guru Blair as we berth-up.
Day 12:
A bracing swim in the morning and a short bus ride with Brittania crew, Chris & Dave, into Aigina town. Food plates arrived in the sea-front restaurant as if from Picasso’s art class, and tasted delicious. Yum. We bump into fleet comrades berthed up on the hectic sea-front. We bus back to peace at Perdiki.
Day13:
Sunshine and a chilly NE wind. Sunglasses and a thick fleece needed. A short hop (for this trip anyway) to the base at a fishing village near Athens. It’s busy in these waters with ferries, hydrofoils, fishing boats with a scream of gulls in pursuit, and container ships. Athens is in sight, the Acropolis shines in the sun. Harbourmaster does not speak English and we are the first of the fleet in!
We are asked - would we do the trip again next year, as XP has the annual delivery contract. Yes, but with this team, or maybe another as good. It has been exhausting, exciting, exhilarating, and enjoyable.
NB. A note for future adventurers - take a hand-held VHF, a good winch-handle, a decent chart plotter, cable ties, insulation tape, WD40, and a good sense of humour.
Port Edgar. Port Edgar. Yacht Geneva. Yacht Geneva. OUT.
Last updated 10:41am on 6 November 2026