Peperuka lowered in Kalamata

The Peloponesse, Greece. Sunny

We sailed out of Kalamata heading east. On the way we met yacht Sassikala with Conny and Claudio on board. We made their way to Porto Kaiyo in strong winds, they were some distance behind us which meant that we had anchored in a central position in the bay quite close to the little hamlet when they came in. The village consisted of a few two-storey blocks of apartments, two restaurants and some houses. A pretty, light-sandstone church looked as if it was watching over the bay. Sassikala anchored further towards the hill to our right. Another boat, flying a French flag and with both occupants in oils, motored close to us but then moved over towards a deeper section of the bay near to where the hill sloped straight into the water. I commented that the weather must be worse than when we came in and Bob said he wouldn’t want to anchor where they were. Later still, a small boat with a single older male occupant, slid into place near us.

The excitement of the evening was the fishing boat which was plonked to our left, and then abandoned by the skipper. We didn’t even hear it come in. It was far too close to us; we were forced to keep watch on it, and on our anchor. When the wind direction changed the fishing boat came so close Bob could push it away by hand. We upped anchor and set it, a little nearer Sassikala, then added a fender to the back of Peperuka in case the fishing boat knocked into her. We went to bed hoping that would stop the fishing boat from causing any damage. At about 2 o’clock in the morning when I checked, the fishing boat had disappeared. I thought its skipper must have been ashore to visit the restaurant but it could be that the boat had left to prepare for the morning’s fishing.

I remembered the coastguard telling us, when we left Kalamata that they’d had some excitement that morning. They’d had to apprehend a fishing boat that was working out with the law. It seems that at certain times of the year fishing is not allowed in Greek waters. I noticed the coastguard wore guns in holsters at the waist! Interesting. Scary. Though we should feel safe. Remembering the film ‘Captain Phillips’. True story of his capture by pirates off the coast of Somalia. Very dramatic. Gripping to the end. Makes you believe over the top surveillance by governments is useful after all. The naming of the pirates by the rescuers was a turning point.