Thurs 7th June Two postscripts to Messalonghi. First, we found Byron's statue - in the Garden of Heroes - a wonderful place commemorating all those, Greek and foreign, who fought for Greece's independence. Most of the foreigners' plaques have their names in their own languages. The inscriptions on Byron's statue are in Greek only (so almost missed it except for the Byronic pose), so a compliment from the Greek people to this Hellenophile (not a word really, I k...

1st June - Gulf of Patras Summer has suddenly arrived and it is hot! There is the saga of a birthday card, tried to send it in good time about 10 days to a fortnight in advance. Stymied. No post boxes to be found, although I had at least had the foresight to get stamps on all my cards before leaving Preveza. Finally asked everyone in Kalamos Port in my best Greek, to be given conflicting replies. No we don't have one anymore, yes you have to go to that café,...

Porto Leone, KalamosVery mixed weather, the UK has done better we think! Several days in Sivota with thunderstorms and international neighbours and wildlife visitors. The wildlife consisted of a cricket-like creature (Ephippiger) that took up residence on our sprayhood. The neighbours were an East Coast couple - he a Yachmaster Instructor Examiner's Examiner, etc - got some useful tips there (like forget about all these man overboard recovery gimmicks). A German ...

Spartochori, Meganisi Happy birthday to W's brother Terry. We've had a few days of rain, a good lightning storm and cooler temperatures. And now it is back to sun - not baking, but very nice. Have had a mooch about some Levkas bays, came across to Meganisi. The top bit is a bit like fingers - so instead of "finger-lakes" as in N America, we have "finger-bays". Popped in and out of most of them and stopped in one for the night. An almost circumnavigation of M...

14th May - Richard's birthday in Tranquility Bay, NydriFirst, welcome to the world grandson no. 2, born 7th May, congrats Marcus and Claire, he looks a charmer already. Arrived before today's due date and as yet unnamed…. We have spent the week getting used to being back on board. Calm and sunny, we went further into the inland gulf Amvrakikos Kolpos to Vonitsa, first at anchor in a little bay for the first opportunity for swimming and a barbecue, and then on t...