From: Phyl & Fred Denton <denton@flash.net>

To: Crews List**

Date: Thursday, 25 October, 2001 18:19

Subject: 25 October, Gouvia Marina on Corfu

Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen:

Indications of Winter have started to happen here in Corfu. The more noticeable are boats coming out of the water every day, shorter days, cooler nights and today, rain.

Letters to the Bridge

Jim and Jean sent the following description of our cruise in the Ionian.

Dear Fred & Phyl

Here is our short travelogue as promised.

It was early evening when we arrived at Corfu Airport and were delighted to be met by Fred & Phyl. We were whisked by car, via the scenic route, to Gouvia marina to board "Perception". After a quick inspection of the yacht, we visited the nearest taverna to sample the local cuisine.

Next morning, after a very comfortable night aboard, we had the opportunity to explore our floating home for the next week. Down below, the yacht's accommodation was well laid out with woodwork and soft furnishings beautifully finished. It was interesting to note the depth of the fridge which later produced a steady stream of "Gaterade" and ice cold beers! Above decks was equally impressive. "Perception" had become reality. This was a holiday we were going to enjoy with good weather and fair winds promised for the week ahead.

Our first day's sailing took us south to Lakka on Paxos. We anchored in the bay where the water was turquoise, clear and warm. After a swim, the fresh water shower at the stern was luxury indeed. Next morning (Monday), during a leisurely breakfast in the cockpit, we were entertained by a bronzed Greek God performing water-skiing acrobatics in the bay. Fred had a story to tell about a water-skier who had crossed the Denton's path, a little too closely, in the past! Light winds took us well on our way to Lefkas but we motored on when the wind died away. Once into the canal, as the sun was setting, we berthed at the new marina which is still in the process of being completed. This was the longest sail of the week so we were all rather tired. That evening we chose a very busy taverna and although the food was excellent, the service was very slow. An hour after ordering fish we became convinced that some of the staff were out catching it!

Next day, while exploring ashore, the local patisserie and chandler were located. Later, Malcolm of motoryacht "Tigre" popped in for a visit giving the opportunity for nautical discussion. In the afternoon we sailed where the light winds took us. Our course passed close to Skorpios, the Onassis' island, but as we were not invited ashore for drinks we carried on and anchored, opposite Nidri, in Tranquil Bay . The slopes around the bay are covered with olive trees and pencil-thin cypress - very pretty.

Although we would have liked to have spent more time exploring this area, it was time to head north again the next day. As the wind picked up in the afternoon we made good time back to Levkas marina where we were joined by Malcolm and Lorraine of "Tigre" to dine on spare ribs, one of Fred's specialities.

Wednesday's sail took us to Parga, on the mainland. Cool handling of the yacht saw us anchored side by side with other yachts, with our stern lines attached to huge boulders on the breakwater. The skipper of the next boat caught a small fish which was immediately cooked and eaten - fish doesn't come much fresher than that. A water taxi took us ashore in the evening to the picturesque town. Well kept houses were stacked up the hillside and overlooked by the floodlit castle. Floodlighting of prominent rocks and scenic features gave the whole place an air of enchantment. It was here we had our most enjoyable meal ashore. The evening was rounded off during the water taxi's returned trip in the darkness along with other yachties, listening to traditional Greek music - wonderful! Fred finished off the evening on "Perception's" bathing platform giving an interpretation of Greek dancing. A wondrous scene.

Our final day sailing back to Corfu took us close by the mainland shore. Somewhat to Phyl's consternation Fred decided this was a good place for testing the performance of the GPS/autopilot in the automatic tracking mode. As the day wore on the wind, on cue, filled from the north and we arrived close to Gouvia with reefed sails thus ending several days of simply sublime sailing.

Sightseeing was the order of our last day and we greatly appreciated being shown the sights of Old Corfu Town and the Achillion Palace.

All too soon, it was time to leave Corfu and return to Scotland's cooler shores.

You were both excellent hosts and we can't thank you enough for a marvellous holiday which we thoroughly recommend to others.

Thanks again

Jim & Jean

The Schedule ** So many islands and ports, so little time.

There is a regatta on Sunday, 28 October. It will be Perception's last sailing day for the season

Next season is in the planning stages. If there is part of the Mediterranean you would like to sail or a time that you can do it, let us know.

Keep a Tight Luff,
Phyl & Fred

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