Volcanic Smells and Kamikaze Charterers
Trip Start
May 22, 2006
1
52
79
Trip End
Aug 05, 2014
Poros,
Greece
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Methana
We arrived in Methana in the Saronic Gulf on Monday 9.July. The Marina, which is situated over a volcanic spring exuding bad egg smells, was full so we went into the ferry harbour where, again, we were the only boat. We moored up Med. style an, after speaking to the ex harbourmaster, we were told that the key to the electric could be obtained from a wee taverna on the front. Subsequently a very helpful man turned up and connected us.
As we looked around we saw that the main users of Methana were old folk with rheumatism who come here to take the waters. We saw them in their droves swimming in the harbour (which reminded me of the time we were diving on the Ningaloo reef in Western Australia when we were sat on the boat among a stream of turtles swimming past) and using the pseudo art-deco volcanic baths
Methana Harbour
. We remained here for 3 days of perfect weather, took a day trip to Poros (of which more later) on the ferry, and suffered occasional wafts of hydrogen sulphide from the volcanic springs. The town is pleasant, quiet (except when the ferry comes in) has good shops, one very slow internet computer in a billiard hall, and is prettily situated.
On the 4the day the wind got up so we managed to get a berth in the marina where we sat on top of the smelly spring till Sunday.
Gina, keen to try out her armbands for a swim, persuaded me to take her to a rocky wee bay by the marina. On getting in I trod twice on sea anemones and got about 30 spines in my foot, bugger!! I then had a brief swim , thoughtfully tried to drown Gina (an accident honest!) and then trod on another of the wee bastards.
The bandages have just come off 4 days later and I will probably live, albeit with limited mobility!
Poros
By Sunday we needed to move, despite the high winds, so left in a force 6 to 8 to sail 6 miles to Poros
Methana Harbour with Bob
. Poros is a beautiful town and is really geared up to deal with yachties, particularly charter boats. We were about to go through a steep and terrifying learning curve about the skills of charterers and the maintenance levels of the boats.We berthed in strong winds, bows to (i.e with our anchor out at the stern of the boat and tied onto the pontoon at the front) to a pontoon in the centre of town in strong winds at about mid-day on Sunday and then relaxed and watched the boats arriving. As the afternoon progressed droves of boats appeared and the horror began!
As yachts turned up we noticed that they were nearly all charter boats on the first day of their holiday. One approached the pontoon , put his anchor down far too near to the berth and promptly arrived sideways on. I helped them get off and saw them go to the other side of the pontoon when I heard something that sounded like a chainsaw. I looked round and found that they had not hauled in their anchor but had left it out and their chain was now trying to saw through the pontoon, our boat and the one next to us. In fear for my wallet (if they damaged the boat) I leapt onto the pontoon and got their chain off before their anchor caught the pontoon and pulled us all off. I shouted brief instruction's to them (they were Brits) and all I got was a terrified shrug of the shoulders in return
Poros Island
. They then proceeded to cause chaos for a further half hour until a professional instructor managed to get on board and bring them safely in. I wandered over to chat to them. They told me that the boat had no anchor winch, they had no idea how to moor Med style, had only done a little training on the South Coast of England which did not include anchoring. The charter company had not checked them out but gave them a 50ft boat with a licence to kill!As the day progressed we saw more and more appalling sailing, charter boats which were poorly maintained. Luckily on either side of us we had a Norwegian boat and a Swedish boat who knew what they were doing.
On Tuesday I resolved to stay on the boat until I was confident we were safe. The wind was a bit less but 3 boats managed to catch my anchor warp with their anchors. One of these was forgiveable, the boat's steering system had jammed and they were steering with an emergency tiller which needs muscles of steel and a total lack of imagination - watching them I had neither and closed my eyes!!
Honestly it is like giving a bunch of 12 year olds articulated lorries with faulty brakes and then sending them down Oxford Street
Poros Town
!There is a good side to being here though. We have met up with Richard and June on 'Caladh' and enjoyed a small libation or two along with an enjoyable meal. We have also got a new set of cushions for the cockpit so can now sit more comfortably
It looks like the wind is going to keep us here for another day or so. I have checked the drinks locker and have plenty of Scotch; Valium can be obtained without a prescription and shotguns are not too expensive!
Next stop Kithnos in the Cyclades and it can't come soon enough!
