Astrid & I were first to dive in and swim ashore while the others were still horizontal. Walking through the olive trees we passed a single hammock , occupied by Adam and Eve from yesterday. How they managed the night arched and squashed together (sounds wild) in one hammock beats me. We found a short coastal path which required exploration and swam back to the boat from a homemade jetty through crystal clear water.
This was a really nice spot, one to remember if we ever do the area again. After brekkie got the sails up hoping for more action than we actually got. After a few hours did a fly-by through Stafilos, an attractive bay on the south-East corner of Skopelos. Not the night spot we were looking for and quite busy, but an attractive and busy beach surrounded by pine clad slopes and some houses.
Reached our destination at the small harbour of Agnondas on Skopelos west coast. Really pretty with a few restaurants at the waters edge, a nice small beach and one little shop. Wooded hillsides ran right down to the beach with very large trees only metres from the waters edge; possibly the greenest surroundings we have seen so far; the Mama Mia setting!
Astrid Charlie & I headed off to the beach, whilst the others did their thing. Edsel chilled on the boat, entertained by the new boat arrivals which always provide varied amusement or drama. Whist swimming, Charlie identified a group of South Africans, Capetonians which made me very happy.
When at the little supermarket we realised that good Greek wine can be inexpensive, 3 or 4 Euros per bottle, sometimes less. Less than half of UK prices. The next surprise was back at the boat where the neighbouring family turned out to be from Blewbury, and Charlie knew them from the European school. On another two boats were their friends with more European School kids so it ended up very sociable.
The beach Capetonians came past on their sunset stroll and were dragged aboard for sundowners. It was a really enjoyable meeting Patrick & Georgina from Marina Da Gama and ex-Zimbos Gavin & Gill from Table View. It did not end there, for both had worked for CDM in Oranjemund and we shared many old business connections. We were perhaps a tad rowdier than normal, with the socialising extending both on and off the quayside.
A table was booked at the waterside restaurant –“not before 9:00pm” we were told, because that is when the wasps go to sleep. Teaming up with the other Euro-School families with two tables at the waters edge (feet literarily in the sand/stones). The kids grouped together and numbered something like 14, nearly more than us. Their party was to continue until well after midnight with one or two having experimented too enthusiastically with the wine, and the girls went topless swimming.
A thoroughly enjoyable day and our last “free” night before having to return the boat to Skiathos base by Friday 18:00. Have loved the past two weeks and the Greek experience, which like last year, confirms it once again as our favourite destination (RSA excluded of course!)