Category Archive

2016 2016

From Mittelland Kanal to Havel Canal through lake district to Potsdam in August, then Potsdam to Zehdenick, September. Car journeys Nancy, France to Germany, Austria, Switzerland and return Potsdam, Germany to Poland and Return  

The Last of Our Sojourn in Greece Is On The Last of Our Sojourn in Greece Is On

www.gratisaustralis.com/category/greece/ www.gratisaustralis.com/petriti-corfu-to-paxoi-greece/ www.gratisaustralis.com/paxos/ www.gratisaustralis.com/gaios-paxoi-to-preveza-greece/ www.gratisaustralis.com/nikopolos-greece/ www.gratisaustralis.com/preveza-greece-to-messina-italy/    

Bastia, Corsica Bastia, Corsica

We loved this small township with its narrow streets and hidden alley ways: relaxing, peaceful and people so friendly. Now Gratis is on her way once more. Light winds are currently seeing us motor along the coastline of the island. Later this afternoon, we leave land once more as we cross the Ligure Sea to […]

2016 Mediterranean Journey
Preveza, Greece to Messina, Italy Preveza, Greece to Messina, Italy

A quick visit to the water police where our papers were signed, then to customs for handing in and procurement of a copy for our records, departure for Messina Italy took place under clear sunlight skies. The thunder of jet fighters speeding overhead deafened our ears before the shadows of the planes welcomed their arrival […]

Nikopolos, Greece Nikopolos, Greece

A total turn around with the weather, sunny skies and humid: perfect for lunch in the plaza and a trip to Nikopolis, which was situated just 5km out of Preveza: where the towering mountain tops over looked the ancient township and sky blue waters of the Med lapped the shoreline. Miniscule insects buzzed, their hums […]

Gaios, Paxoi to Preveza, Greece Gaios, Paxoi to Preveza, Greece

The full on blow predicted for the night before didn’t eventuate, with winds only topping 32 knot wind gusts. Even so, one gleaned an insight into the conditions upon the moorings here should a 50 knot southerly blow through. Boats rocked to and fro, up and down. Anchored close together, the concern was of masts […]

On Our Way Once More

Internet working well at long last: much be connecting to that on the mainland. Under a drab grey sky, fog and rain (it’s freezing: brrrrrr!!!) we are heading for Preveza, mainland Greece, for checkout . Loved Corfu and Paxoi (Paxos): certainly returning in a year or two for a much longer stay.  

Paxos Paxos

A gentle rain this morning, as a front carrying southerly winds passed through. Winds on the nose and arriving around 14:00 with 50 knots predicted by the evening, a day spent relaxing in this tiny town was the name of the game. A quiet wander took us through the township to the west. A friendly […]

Paxoi, Greece

Yesterday we motored from Corfu to Paxoi (Paxos), Greece and moored in delightful Port Gaios where life appears relaxed and practically unchanged. Internet here is exceptionally slow, so pictures and spiel won’t be placed on until we arrive in Italy once more. A taste of Paxoi below. We are looking forward to returning after our […]

Petriti, Corfu to Paxoi, Greece Petriti, Corfu to Paxoi, Greece

The expected weather change arriving sooner than expected, we departed Petriti for Paxoi (or Paxos as it is also known by) which was situated 7nm south of Corfu. This little critter came along for a free ride. Sadly our exploration of Lefkemmi, the old capital of Corfu with its Venetian styled buildings and canal, must […]

Corfu Town to Petriti Corfu Town to Petriti

This was another day without exploration for Bob and I, as we all slept late and it was midday before the four of us disembarked Gratis. To our right was a small marina in which a massive motor yacht some how moored. Time rapidly passing us by, our objective is to arrive in France for […]

Seranda,Albania

After a three day trip, we at last arrived in Sarandi, Albania and love it here. The country side is beyond our greatest imagining and people so friendly. The fresh water spring, Blue Eye was in a rain forest type setting so picturesque. The ancient Greek Roman ruins, Butrint indescribable. We are off to Corfu this […]

Saranda, Albania to Corfu Town, Corfu Saranda, Albania to Corfu Town, Corfu

Hair cut for 5 euro and eyebrow pluck for 2 euro – what a difference to the $50AUD+ we pay for a trim in Oz and Europe. To put everything into perspective, the average monthly wage was $400 euro per month. We departed for a mid – afternoon motor to the isle of Corfu: a […]

Butrint, Albania Butrint, Albania

Butrint, UNESCO World Heritage site, and what a magnificent story it had to tell. An assortment of Roman Villas, temples, cemeteries, in conjunction with Venetian and Ottoman castles made this site unique. Set within a massive lagoon in which dense vegetation has once more run wild, and in sight of the mountain range that separates Albania […]

Blue Eye Blue Eye

High in the mountains, traipsing across a rickety wooden bridge in gently falling rain, one was carried back to the rainforests of Asia. It was here that Blue Eye dwelt: a fresh water spring which has its beginnings in Corfu. Water of the deepest most vibrant blues, turquoises and greens gaily burbled from the ground. Yes, […]

The Albanians

People here were so friendly here and their spoken English better than that of many native English speakers: children commenced learning English and French in year four of school.

Seranda, Albania

5pm sun setting we approached Seranda, Albania. High mountain peaks enshrouded in thick grey clouds drew ever closer. Hillside grasses of drab olive greens were interspersed here and there with what appeared to be low shrub like bushes. Well into the bay, signs of civilization were as small villages became visible to the eye.   […]

Marina di Ragusa, Sicily to Seranda, Albania

Excitement had built over the day as our 20:00 departure time from the marina for our three day sail to Seranda approached. A final check of the weather, course plotted, and at last, after a long seven months, Gratis was out upon the waters. Fishing boats and ships galore made for an interesting first night’s motor to the […]

Onward we Sail

After a washing machine sail, we and Gratis had a night stopover in southern Sardinia whilst some stronger winds passed by. Heading out now for a 1.5 day sail to Sicily.