CA Pelponnese 2012 Rally

CA Cruise from Katakolon to Kalamata

Katakolon

By the afternoon of Monday 21 April, the last couple of boats had arrived in Katakolon and everyone who was going to, had already visited Olympia. The holding was excellent and Leon, the harbour master made us all very welcome with free electricity, rather brown water, free showers & toilets and a very reasonably priced washing machine. Katakolon has a nasty reputation in a South Easterly and unfortunately, there was a prediction of a couple of hours of SE4 in the afternoon and another overnight. We brought the initial Skippers meeting forward to 1600 so as to decide what to do. We decided to go ahead with the Drinks and Nibbles at 1800 and then our planned taverna meal but to keep a weather-eye open.
The party went off well, but no sooner was it finished than up came the predicted wind and shortly afterwards a nasty 1/2 Meter chop. Some boats were rocking up and down violently by over a Meter right next to the quay. A few brave souls stayed on the Quay and went for the meal but over half the boats cast off and anchored round the corner.

Namutoni and the rest of the fleet overtaking Rosa

West winds had persisted for several days beforehand so when we set off next morning for Kiparissi, we had a lumpy passage with the swell and wind over the quarter. It was a relief to all to get into the safe,  sheltered harbour of Kiparissi where we all moored side-to. The port police arrived a couple of hours after we arrived and to our amazement, offered to ferry skippers up to their offices above the harbour. They were very efficient and pleasant and had us all processed in an hour from start to finish.
Kiparissi has excellent shopping although it is a bit of a trek up the hill from the port. We divided into 4 groups for a "pot luck" supper. One group decided to go out for the meal but the rest shared cooking and ate excellent home-cooked food.
On Thursday 24th, most of us decided to sail down to Navarino bay as planned despite predictions of Force 5 winds and considerable residual lumpiness from previous days. Two opted to stay until early the next morning to get a calmer passage and we said goodbye to Charles Reed who had to get back North.

At first, we had to bash our way into a force 4 head wind and a nasty 1.5 Meter swell. By Nissos Proti we were mostly sailing with a beam wind and a quartering sea. Behind N. Proti, we saw gusts above 25Knots which caused some rapid reefing. We were all glad to relax in the shelter of North West Navarino bay - an excellent sandy anchorage, excellent holding and thoroughly sheltered from North and West.

Safe in Navarino

Friday dawned calm and warm - perfect weather for the Olympics organised by the crew of Meanderer. After a morning of preparation organised with military precision by David, the afternoon went off without a hitch. We had Egg tossing, Yacht racing, Dinghy racing, Welly-Wanging, and a Dinghy tug war - all great fun and no heart attacks!

Egg Tossing

Jim Welly Wanging

David pretending its a discus

Yacht Racing

Karen dancing

The original plan had been to have a Barbecue on the beach in the evening.  Sadly it was not to be due to the Greek ban on open fires so instead we took the yachts over to Yialova at the North East corner of the bay and had an excellent meal in Taverna Mylas. The anchorage was adequate - good holding between the weed and occasional flat rocks - but the prevailing West wind threw up enough of a chop to give us a rather rolly night. Early on Saturday morning, after shopping in the surprisingly well stocked village, we all went back to the West side of bay for a calmer sea.

The Spartans among us went for a scramble up to the castle and back via Voidokilia beach organised by Jim. It was challenging for most but very enjoyable with glorious views and a swim at beautiful Voidokilia beach. In the evening Souris Rose ( a lovely CA motor cruiser who met us on their way North) invited us to drinks and nibbles. A few of us went on the prearranged bird watching walk but most of us joined Souris Rose - and what a spread! Jill must have worked all day to make the so-called "nibbles" and the wine was wonderful.
On Sunday, we had a lovely calm sail, with little or no swell for the 15 miles to Methoni where everyone anchored off in lovely firm sand. Even Lucifer the cat seemed to enjoy it! We had a nice relaxing afternoon and evening all doing our own thing. Many visited the magnificent (and free) castle either on Sunday afternoon or Monday.
Monday night was Quiz night organised by Janika Lycka. They found an excellent and very friendly taverna called Palia Istoria (ancient history) in town and we interspersed rounds of quiz with courses of the meal. The level was pitched just right so no team got close to full marks and nobody was left floundering.

On Tuesday we had a late start and VHF skippers meeting and then the made the short passage round to Finikounda. No room in the tiny harbour, but the anchorage is good (unless there is a Southerly) so everyone dropped the hook. We were desperate for water so we temporarily tied alongside a friendly fishing boat so that we get our hose to the only tap in the middle of the southern quay. Jim had arranged an informal talk from Ilias, the owner of Eleni's - the large taverna overlooking the harbour. He turned out to be a fascinating chap and gave us a most interesting insight into the changes he has seen in the village where he has lived all his life (and also some of his excellent olive oil). Afterwards, most people stayed for a slap-up meal and Greek dancing.

After a long leisurely day at anchor, we all went up to Jim's house for a wine tasting. We were presented with 4 white wines and 4 reds in anonymous bottles. Some of the wines were from Greece and some from other countries. I think everyone was surprised when the names were revealed - most people did not choose the most expensive wines as the ones they liked best and Greek wines did well against far more expensive French ones.
Thursday dawned gorgeous. Bright and sunny but not too hot and with just enough wind for a tranquil sail all the way round to Kalamata. The marina was very efficient and most of us were put together on the same pontoon.
Friday was the last day. We all dressed ship partly as the end of the rally and partly in honour of the Diamond Jubilee. Lots of merriment when one unfortunate skipper managed to lose his halyard up the mast and then had to wave two boathooks and a fishing rod (all lashed end to end) around for half an hour trying to catch a dangling, wind-blown flag.

Eos of Mersey hosted a drinks and nibbles party on board where all 24 of us lined up on the starboard side to get a group photo and heeled her over by 30 degrees. and then on to the final dinner in a very Greek Taverna (virtually no English spoken). We had an excellent meal for only €11 per head during which we had a few words, a toast to the Queen and the final of the photo competition.
And what a competition it was  - we had 27 entries on the them of boats all of a high standard and many truly excellent. The winner was this stunning shot of Second Star under the bows of a Cruise Ship in Katakolon.