Hot Hot Hot 2010

Any bad memories of that 0400 start at BHX were forgotten when we emerged in the bright sunshine at Corfu airport. The advance party of 15 had chartered 2 boats – a 46’ Bavaria and a 43’ Gibsea from Gouvia, just North of Corfu Town. Armonia kindly entertained Spirit of Dreamtime II to drinks before heading our separate ways for dinner – amazing how good Greek food tastes at the start of a trip! Later in the evening we reconvened at the Bucket of Beer pub to celebrate our first birthday of the trip, that of a certain Professor of Russian History. Saturday morning dawned overcast and the 2 boats set off South with our destination being unclear. However, the sun soon shone and we made for our first lunch stops, albeit on different land masses. We agreed via 72 to head for Lakka on the top corner of Paxos where Dreamtime anchored in the bay only to be passed by Armonia who charged in and got the last place on the quay. However, it gave Dreamtime a chance to use the outboard they had hired at some considerable expense, even though the (very) small size of the dinghy meant 4 trips to transport 8 ashore. We dined together in the square of this pretty town.

 The next day we again went our separate ways before meeting up in Mourtos back on the mainland. Rumours of a shore based shower proved unfounded but we did meet ex HOEOCA member, Stash, a few boats along – a small world! A 2nd birthday tonight, Armonia was duly decorated and served bubbly all round for one of our 4 Hot Hot Hot virgins, Jude II. Mourtos was a very civilized place and we enjoyed a good meal plus ice creams and night caps all round on the front. A much fresher feel on Monday morning indicated that the wind had gone round to the North West; naturally, as we were heading back that way to meet up with the 3rd boat of 7 dayers in Gouvia. A fantastic days sailing and good to meet up with the crew of Eliza who had thoughtfully passed their waiting time preparing drinks and nibbles for us.

A certain amount of negotiating for better dinghies and running repairs took place on Tuesday before we headed North for the North Corfu Channel (close to Albania!). Another lovely day with very light airs and we enjoyed more swimming and lying around in the sun. Our destination was Kassiopi, on the NE corner of Corfu, a very pretty town, overlooked by an ancient Byzantine Castle which most of us visited. The evening ended in the very aptly named Passion Bar.

Not much wind the following day and conditions were rather close and hazy so we motored towards the first of the Faraway Islands, where we anchored at a long sandy beach and most of us swam ashore. The afternoon wind picked up and we enjoyed the 9 mile sail across to Othoni, our destination that night. A certain amount of manoeuvring saw us all safely anchored in the little harbour and transport was arranged onto Dreamtime who hosted cocktails that night. This was the night when the 2010 Hot, Hot, Hot shirts were broken out. Othoni really was a far away place, old Greek men sat drinking tiny cups of coffee – just like in the post cards and not a great deal was going on

We next headed back to Corfu Island and the resort of Palaiokastrita calling in at Ag Georgiou (or St Georges Bay) for another lovely swim and lunch stop en route. The approach was spectacular with pretty houses perched on high cliffs and picturesque bays at sea level. We managed to park on a pontoon adjacent to the “Pink Party Boat” (luckily not used that night) where Armonia hosted a cocktail party almost on dry land.

Eliza now decided to head down the west coast of Corfu to make the circumnavigation and spend the night in Mourtos whilst the others returned to Erikousa. Unfortunately the weather deteriorated somewhat overnight; the wind got up, the skies were grey and torrential rain followed. By now we had repaired to the safety of Petriti and Kassiopi respectively where a very wet afternoon and evening ensued. In the case of Eliza this included helping to save a 60’ steel hulled yacht that had broken free of its mooring from causing considerable damage at 0200. But, by the time breakfast had been cleared, the sun was out and all enjoyed a fantastic sail before our last lunch and swim stop in a bay near Gouvia before returning to base and a last night that included a Greek wedding!

Good things: 9/10 days of great weather, some excellent conditions – from flat calm to a Force 6, the Greek wedding, beautiful swim stops and picturesque harbours, Dave’s rally shirts, lovely lunches, First timer Pauline achieving their top speed, Dolphins with Eliza on their way back to Corfu Town, some good evening meals and Metaxa night caps!

Not such good things: the maintenance of our boats and equipment was unusually poor, no oilies and being very wet when it rained, could have done with a few more showers and the ship’s rat discovered on board Dreamtime!