Author: Gisela Wuerfel

The big high over Russia, Lithuania and Belarus has been bringing a strong, cold wind to the Black Sea for days. From there, it blows from the northeast into the Aegean Sea and further west through almost the entire Mediterranean Sea. Over the partly still snow-covered mountains of the Peloponnes it rushes violently and icy cold down to Kalamata. Today, Sunday, we escape by bus to Koroni in the hope of some warmth. Two years ago, we spent a warm summer night at anchor off Koroni.

Koroni is about 50 km south of Kalamata on the west side of the Messenian Gulf. The remains of the Venetian fortress can be seen from afar. If you climb up, you have a great view over the entire Messinian Gulf, to Kalamata, to the high mountains of the Taygetos and to Cap Tenaro. We have already climbed several Venetian fortresses in recent years. But never before have we visited one where there are so many "normal" dwellings within the fortress walls. You can even visit a nunnery inside. Early in the year it is tranquil and cosy here in Koroni. In summer it is certainly quite different. The beautiful sandy beaches attract many summer holidaymakers. We enjoy the warmth and peace.

Here in Kalamata, the sailing season has not yet started. Many boats are standing on land - as is Aglaya. We couldn't even get out into the water yet, because we are parked between between other boats. Fortunately, our stern is pointing towards the harbour. So at least we have a nice view and can watch the sun go down, if it shows itself. We shouldn't leave our "parking space" right away. Two layers of antifouling are still missing on the underwater hull. And apart from that, there is still a lot of maintenance, renovation and care work to be done on land. Our crane appointment is on 28 March.

10 March 2022: We are on the way to our boat. Flight to Athens and then by bus to Kalamata. Greece! We think of sun and warmth. But the weatherfrogs have already clearly prepared us for the fact that it is currently colder in Greece than at home in Germany. They were right: Athens welcomes us with driving snow at two degrees plus. Well, Kalamata is quite a bit further south. Let's have a look. We take the bus across the whole Peloponnese and what do we see: snow-covered mountains. Why didn't we take our touring skis with us? Instead, our luggage contains cleaning and care products for the boat, a grinding and polishing machine … nothing for winter sports. We are planning for the long term and the goal is to start a beautiful sailing season with a well-maintained and cared-for boat.

But also in Kalamata: six degrees during the day and sometimes just below zero at night. That is not cosy and certainly not the true Greek feeling! We are counting on spring to come and then with power.

"Sometimes things turn out differently…" is the title we gave to our time aboard Aglaya last year. Now we have summarized our experiences in pictures and videos in three short films. Have a look? Click here for the films.

We wish all our friends on land and on sea a Merry Christmas and a happy year 2022!

A short review of our past year and a hopeful outlook for the new you can find here.

In the meantime, we are back home in Heidelberg for almost three weeks - well docked and quickly overcoming the cold shock. Aglaya stands well covered on land in Kalamata. We quickly got out our winter clothes and are now moving ashore. The view of our living room window keeps the longing for sailing alive (although this is a completely different boat, the model of the approx. 25m long Tuiga, built in 1909, still sailing in the Mediterranean and still winning regattas). For the first Advent we hung a star over her bow today.

We wish you all a wonderful Advent season - on board or ashore, wherever you are.

After four visits (= 4 days with 3 persons incl. Saturday and Sunday) it worked: The much too small travelift lifted us onto the land. Now Aglaya stands high and dry - a berth above the marina of Kalamata. No more swaying. But that's the problem: a totally stupid feeling, because the equilibrium organ and the body feeling compensate for the small boat movements when you move on board or when there is wave. And now nothing. But the feeling of swaying remains. Even more when you look at the boats swaying in the water........

A few days working on the boat for preparing it for winter, and an order for service, and in the winter months the hull is thoroughly overhauled and new antifouling will be applied. 

Still some cleaning and maintenance work, then in March oil change will be made and coolant exchanged - then the season 2022 can start. 

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But now first 3 hours by bus through the wild Peloponnese peninsula and across the (still closed) channel of Corinth to Athens. There a night in the hotel, of course, with a long tour to the spectacular Acropolis and into the chaotic winding old town Plaka - then on the 8th of November the plane goes to the cold Germany - home to friends, choir, band......that we are looking forward to.  

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