Family on Songster

After waiting out the big blow, we returned to Porto Rafti to wait for the arrival of Peter and Amy.  Greece was their last stop on a whirlwind European tour.  We were very excited about having them on Songster.  

Finally the day arrived.  We had Pedros pick them up from the airport and meet us at a nice waterside tavern for lunch.  Peter and Amy had gotten engaged the night before in Rome.  Peter did the whole tradition of getting down on one knee and proposing with a gorgeous, very bling, ring.  So there was lots of congratulations and celebration over lunch.

Peter proposing in Rome

The happy betrothed

Then onto Songster to show them their home for the next 4 days.  Spritz for sundowners in the cockpit and a simple dinner.  Sadly Amy had a touch of mal de mare but was a real trooper about it and eventually got her sea legs.

The next day we headed off for Sounion.  The conditions were not too bad and we were able to sail for most of the passage.  Pete had a go at the helm but then we let Wandering Wally take over so we could relax and enjoy the scenery.

 

We anchored under the Temple of Poseidon and Pete and Amy were in the dinghy ready to go ashore as soon as it hit the water.  This was our third visit to the temple and we finally found Byron’s inscription from the 1820’s on one of the columns.

 

Byron's 'graffiti' is at the bottom of the second block (faint white highlight)

Pete and Amy relaxing in the cockpit

Another lovely lunch at Ο Ηιλιος with plenty of fresh seafood washed down with an ice cold Alpha beer.  Back on Songster to introduce Pete and Amy to Mexican Trains dominoes.

The next day we had a rather boring motor to Poros.  Sadly there was no wind.  It would have been nice to show Pete and Amy a bit more of real sailing but this is after all the Motorterranean. 

 

Poros was lovely.  We toured the town, ate more great Greek food and checked out the historic bell tower for fantastic sunset views.

 

 

The anchorage at Poros

The next day we took the ferry to Hydra.  We took Amy and Peter to see Leonard Cohen’s house.  Astonishingly they were not familiar with his music – tsk, the younger generation!  Then we went to the beach where Amy and Peter could finally swim in the Mediterranean.  Being mid-October the air and water can be a bit cool but they braved the water and it was great once they got in.  Although Bob and I brought swimmers, we were not quite as brave and stayed on the beach lounges.

The happy couple

Priests and donkeys on Hydra

Not a bad beach

The next day Peter and Amy were due to catch the Flying Dolphin to Athens in the mid-afternoon for the last three days of their month long European tour.  So after a morning of heart to heart parent to newly betrothed talks and sad goodbyes we saw them off.  It was so special for us to have family on Songster with us and to share a taste of our new lifestyle with them.  Thanks for coming Pete and Amy!