Tuesday 26^th July – Pórto Koufó, Khalkidhiki

39:58.196N 23:55.077E

Last night was very still and quiet.  This morning we had a lovely quiet breakfast and watched some of the yachts leave.  Late morning Skylax departed, sadly before we could say hello.

We went ashore to look around this pleasant little fishing hamlet, and to go looking for a replacement gaz bottle for the cooker (we hadn’t been able to get a refill in Turkey as they use different gaz bottles) and a fuel station for some diesel.  Around the harbour are a number of tavernas and a small mini-market, then a little further on there is a small sandy beach.

There was a sign for a supermarket (600m up the road) in large letters on the harbour wall advertising all sorts of supplies and so after a visit to the mini-market which was surprisingly well provisioned, we trekked off up hill to this promise of bigger things.  The good news was that on the way we passed a fresh fish shop and a petrol station.  However, the supermarket was disappointing; it was small, dark, limited and not appealing, with no fresh produce – it had gaz but at an extortionate price – I decided I’d rather starve!

We came back via the fresh fish shop which we passed on the way up the hill and bought a couple of fish.  I was delighted tonight when I cooked one for dinner to find that the lady had slipped half a dozen fresh prawns in the bag as a present.

We also called at the petrol station to price the diesel and I asked if he sold camping gaz.  He said I would need to go to a supermarket so I told him what I thought of the price of the one up the hill and he laughed and suggested I try the small one back in town or to try the ones in the next village just half a km away.  So we pottered back down the hill to the small mini-market where we discovered they did have gaz after all and got it for less than two thirds of the price of the other place! 

Late afternoon, when it had cooled down a bit, Richard went back to the petrol station with trolley and a couple of cans to top up our fuel supply. 

We have stayed on board this evening as yachts have arrived around us.  Once again it has involved some anchoring in close quarters, and the Swiss chap having to guard his anchor.  Tonight we have another Beneteau 393 beside us which we recognise from Limnos which is practically rafted to us; we are hoping that it moves the same as us as it is the same model to avoid us getting lacerated by his passerelle which he has left sticking out the back.

Pórto Koufó, Khalkidhiki

© Pyxis 2011