On behalf of Greek Tourism

[Chris Wicks]

Hi,
Simon has recently updated the 'Tales from The Aegean' articles with more stories of Cape Cutter ownership in Greece. When I see comments about wives, partners and girlfriends who do not enjoy messing about on boats, I often think well try some Greek sunshine sailing then! In our write up of late Summer news from 2010, you will see how some of our visitors have enjoyed their first sail, and of what I reckon to be a Cape Cutter record achieved by our Spanish friends... (Possibly never to be beaten by anyone!!!). In the other newsletter Crisis What Crisis I may have come up with the ultimate enviromentally friendly tow vehicle! So if you find some rainy and cold weather take a look. I am hoping some time this year an intrepid Cape Cutter owner will haul themselves all the way here and try some Aegean sailing for themselves. Failing that come and have a sail on Kaliope. Yammas!

[Toby]

Chris,

It's a longterm plan for me to do just as you suggest and have CC31 Ladybird cruise the wine-dark seas ((c) Homer) of the Aegean. I dream of it. For now we'll be chartering to sail in Greek waters, but soon enough the boys will be grown up and there'll be just the two of us.

Meanwhile, it seems to me you might be well-placed to comment on a story that has got a bit of traction in the Yotty press over the last few months, which is that if you let a Greek person assist you in mooring your boat at any jetty in Greece, he can charge you for the service, anything up to EUR 50, apparently! Incidents of this sort have been reported. Can this be true? If so, I'll stay away!

All the best
Toby H

[Chris Wicks]

Hi Toby,
This sounds like a bit of Greek Mythology to me. Someone has tried to have one over on a gullible visiting yachtsman?? In five years I have not had to pay any mooring fees either whilst visiting or for either of my 2 swinging mooring, one is in the gulf of Volos at Valtoudi bay (Milina) and the other at Platanias (Pelion).

Certain large harbours or marinas do charge big boats of course. For me that would mean Skiathos town. By with Kaliope I sneak in to the old harbour now used by tripper boats and moor fore and aft with anchors in very shallow water. No one ever bothers me except to compliment us on such a lovely boat.

Of course we do dispare at the Greeks sometimes with their ability to shoot themselves in the foot and if you read the story of 'Chris bad day in Skopelos' (see articles) you can see how I met some unpleasant characters and ended up getting chased by the police and attacked by a bus driver! 'Malakes' we call them, but they exist in all countries. Please don't be put off. Do try and visit Pelion sometime, it is widely acknowledged as a real gem of an area and not widely know by visitors. Sunsail has their Northern Sporades base here, but you will have more fun in a Cape Cutter!