Ep48 | Marvellous Monemvasia and the Mischievous Meltemi

[@blueclue57]

Every week I marvel at the beauty of Fair Isle. Steve, you are one blessed bloke.

[@svfairisle]

I agree!

[@Outrageousconduct]

Great episode ,

[@SVImpavidus]

Thanks for the shout out. We are now in Bodrum, Turkey. Found a new source of high protein takeaway which is a balanced meal with all the advantages of 12 TL to 1 GB£ 😛 Sail Safe Guys, Ant, Cid & the pooch crew.

[@svfairisle]

Glad you made it, any problems checking out of Greece and into Turkey? I'm going to be close to the wire on the Schengen days

[@GoneSailingCA]

Thanks Steve, good episode

[@1240enzo]

Ahhh such memories of the Peloponese. We drove all around the 3 fingers if this region back in 2018. Monemvassia, is a wonderful old town to visit and going by our time there it’s certainly well known these days.

[@ABeriault]

Great clip this one Fair Isle! Lovely old city B-Roll and classic music Great sailing views Cheers

[@hansslob6749]

Fantastic tour through that village, beautifull music too

[@thefullmonte1902]

Great little tips. Thanks and fair winds. Amazing to see the Poseidon temple. History at your doorstep

[@andrewkenny4633]

Enjoy watching your videos as a sailer who sailer single handed most of the time I will never go up on deck without a life jacket and a life line attached most of my sailing is in the Irish Sea and South &West Coast maby it has to do with the fact I am 70 yrs old and the water temperature is not as warm as the Mediterranean even with global warming

[@ronschwolsky1626]

Nicely done. Loved the filming of the old towns.... amazing these structures are all still standing.

[@sailing.not.dreaming]

And Vivaldi, beautiful

[@avidviewer1]

I'm rapidly running out of superlatives to express my appreciation of your fantastic videos. They bring me so much pleasure and make the world a much better place. Thanks!

[@svfairisle]

Well thanks very much, and thanks for your regular comments. Makes all the difference

[@graham961]

Thanks so much - a really enjoyable episode - varied, informative, great sights, bars and harbours, and the the supporting music was both varied and excellent!. Thanks again!!

[@gpk7683]

Oh yes, I did enjoy this episode. Thanks for taking me along.

[@andypag1071]

Ha, great to get a name check. Fame at last. Glad it was a useful tip.

[@navegandomivandestadt34]

Brilliant editing skills, great content. Congratulations. Top quality

[@brucebeckner3049]

Greetings from one of your US followers! I was quite impressed with your ability to both single-hand your boat and set up camera shots at the same time. Truly professional. In our one time in the Aegean, I recall seeing Poseidon’s temple upon leaving Piraeus on our chartered bareboat. Unfortunately, we were part of a flotilla, with a planned itinerary, which didn’t include a stop there. We did, however, see many amazing things in our 2-week trip. We are truly fortunate that political circumstances are such that a voyage like yours is feasible. It was not always the case, and may not be so in the future. Congratulations on your second grandchild. You and Judy don’t seem old enough for the part! 😁

[@svfairisle]

Thanks Bruce, I remember your messages when we were in Cartagena about your father having served there for the US Navy, seems like a long time ago now. Judy will particularly thank you for the last line!

[@Stuart.Mckenzie]

Interesting to hear of you and Robin filming the history of the battle of Monte Cassino as my father was there serving with Scots Guards. Cheers Stuart.

[@svfairisle]

Then he's a brave man, the stories we heard from the veterans we filmed were pretty hair raising!

[@Stuart.Mckenzie]

@@svfairisle I never was told any details as dad said “some things are best kept to yourself”, Cheers Stuart

[@pricillapresley9290]

Loved this episode - absolutely hilarious & very subtle. Great filming, splicing, editing & voice over which conveyed the feeling of being in the med. We all need a holiday ! Thank you for your superb effort while fixing, cooking & entertaining your guests. Superman. Thank you for transporting us to another world.

[@jobmanders5328]

A real man's episode, excellent music.

[@harveyjohnston6590]

Thanks so easy watching loved it

[@fgansell]

Great episode, always enjoy your historical snippets too. Than You

[@georgecanakis1075]

So glad you are enjoying my beautiful country a beautiful video as always and i can safely say i told you so.😎😎😎❤❤

[@svfairisle]

Just wish I was allowed to stay more than 3 months!

[@richardhall7822]

Really enjoyable episode, I had tears of laughter watching the crew sleep through the preventer hitting them on the head! Very envious of the beautiful clear water compared to England’s south east coast! 😊

[@nickwilkinson2501]

Another very pleasurable video, loved it. Well done Steve. Missing Judy!!

[@svfairisle]

Yes, she's back soon

[@captainjamesmcbride2344]

Very nice movie Steve. So glad you liked Aegina, I enjoy the place very much. We visit regularly on our family sailboat. Not so sure you will feel the same about Olympic Marina in Lavrio... Such a shame that the Sounio Bay anchorage was so rolly... That has not been our experience in the past. Usually there is a northerly blowing so it gives good shelter. Not the best holding for small anchors at times though - cost me a night's sleep a few years back getting dragged across the bay! LOL!

[@svfairisle]

Yes I was surprised as it was a Northerly but there must have been just enough East in it to bring the swell in.

[@svfairisle]

P.S. you might be right about Olympic, got here yesterday and found there's no laundry! Just spent the day doing my washing in buckets!!

[@captainjamesmcbride2344]

@@svfairisle And it's not a cheap place either. Doh!

[@jonathanairey9123]

Looks Like Koroni?? Will be there in a few days (flying Kalamata on Sat to meet our boat). Which is your fav restaurant there (Koroni)??

[@jonathanairey9123]

Aha. Patience Jonathan!!. A takeaway on the old town front. Will keep an eye out. Quite agree, nothing wrong with a Gyros and Mythos occasionally.

[@svfairisle]

I ate at 3 or four of the tavernas on the front, they were all good, but avoid the second in from the Western side I think, forget the name. It's fine if you want fancy ice creams, that's its speciality. W didn't notice when w sat down that most people there were families with kids wanting the desserts, the mains arn't the best. When I was on my own I tended to stick to Gyros Pita, the shop was called Passage.

[@badneck1947]

Really enjoyed this episode. Thanks Steven

[@reyarmas7]

excellent as all his videos ...

[@cheekyencounter]

Steve, your episodes get better and better. Thanks so much for sharing this. I am planning to set off soon and I try to absorb as much as I can form others' experiences. Your vids are Bothe entertaining and very educational.

[@svfairisle]

Well thank you, praise indeed

[@gerrystevens9378]

Great Video very enjoyable!

[@SailHosailing]

Some stunning sailing and locations, fabulously presented (as usual!) - thank you. Can't help thinking, though, that a lifejacket might be in order when you're running back and forth on deck and still getting used to single-handing...

[@ben8mag]

Total paradise

[@SVZonda]

Steve, with a breakfast like that, I'll be your crew any day!! All the best Richard

[@derbyshirebirdwatcher6054]

A great reminder of Monemvasia. Last there on a flot in 2019 and stayed a couple of nights on the town quay. A lovely, though often busy, place. Excellent restaurants too though there is nothing to touch proper giros from a small bar. I suddenly find myself desperate to return. Thanks Steve.

[@cliffterpher]

Great to see Greece, if only from afar! 2022 hopefully for our next trip to the Ionian. Just thinking about your friend's son catching fish. It's all in the name! 😀

[@NZL50505]

Yes very enjoyable vid. Some of those old Med town walkabouts can be a bit ‘samey’ but loved yours. But we do need to find the answer to “what’s an oozery?!” Is it just a “boozery” with a drunk & disorderly ‘b’? And it didn’t look like you’re missing Judy much - although I’m sure you are! 😊

[@MIKELBLAKE1240]

ouzery is where you drink OUZO

[@MrDavipot]

I like it, wife's away and Steve's straight on the kebab and beers for lunch 😂😂👍 the dream

[@paulrfair]

Aegina is a beautiful place, easily accessible from Athens and some lovely anchorages around the Island. Hope you tried the Pistachio nuts!

[@Themothershipsailing]

We anchored where you are at the end of the episode a couple of months ago - a very nice more ‘local’ spot and the kids thoroughly enjoyed swimming there. You’re inspiring me to do more single handed sailing too! Thanks for another lovely episode!

[@secondprize]

Ouzerias are for the making of ouzo. Very important in a siege.

[@garyfroeschner2523]

good stuff

[@peterhaymaker7562]

Oh boy, do I miss Greece and the sailing! As usual Steve, 11/10. Really appreciate all the extra you put into your videos. Actually a very nice day in Kent today. Not been many recently. Hope you get your Mate back soon. I bet you're missing Judy? We are. Cheers!

[@joolscornwell1307]

😂😂 “ im getting used to solo sailing “ god hope Judy not watching..!!! 😂😂😂

[@svfairisle]

It's always MUCH nicer with Judy on board of course!

[@joolscornwell1307]

@@svfairisle of course, my apologies 😂😂😂🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🎩🎩🎩❌❌ love the videos keep them coming Rock n Roll 👍👍🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️❌

[@SailingABSea]

(Baz) The full English looked very good. 👍

[@svfairisle]

I managed to get some pretty good bacon, but you can never get proper sausage, as the actress said to the Bishop!

[@SailingABSea]

😂

[@fordyceeldred9409]

Have you looked at Aquamaps?

[@svfairisle]

No, any good?

[@starlight7830]

7:33 Your Cockpit lounge chair, where did you buy it?

[@svfairisle]

Comfort seat, Holland. They’re the best

[@nicki1287]

Another great episode. Plus it helped answer a question of mine, how easy is it to get on and off a boat? I have seen you use the tender, now I have seen how you get off at the stern. I am now looking forward to seeing how you get off the bow. Thanks for making such enjoyable episodes.

[@svfairisle]

Depending on the height of the quay it sometimes requires a bit of gymnastics off the bow sprit, Judy doesn’t normally let me film it!

[@nicki1287]

@@svfairisle by the sounds of it, I don't blame her.

[@notrut]

Monte Casino! Alan Whicker's book entitled 'Whicker's War' is a good account of the WWII push North from Sicily ...

[@svfairisle]

We were there with the few surviving veterans, they had some amazing stories.

[@bill8784]

Interesting. Lovely part of Greece. Impressive full English. HP sauce and baked beans too I hope. Is it the middle finger Mani Peninsular off Cape Matapan where the Ionian and Aegean meet?

[@svfairisle]

Yes the traditional line is from the middle finger to the Southern most point of Sicily, the Hydrographic society have a line from the Eastern most peninsular straight down to Rhodes then across Sicily! confusing!

[@robmyers9239]

From someone who knows nothing about sailing but loves your adventures, how do you secure your yacht when you leave it?

[@svfairisle]

Well that depends, we often leave Fair Isle at anchor but not overnight, although in the right circumstance that might be okay. It would be better to leave her on a mooring buoy if we were away overnight although generally I’m happier using our own ground tackle than relying on a buoy which may be subject to corrosion / chafing etc. I would always dive on it and check its condition if possible. If we are properly leaving the boat as I am at the weekend to fly back to the UK this means a marina, even then I a wary. The forecast here is for a very strong Meltemi wind next week so I’m already planning to double up the starboard mooring lines (where the wind will come from) and pull the boat foreword on the ground lines away from the quay. Marina staff should constantly check moorings when it’s windy but I wouldn’t rely on it, I pulled a boat off the quay myself this morning who’s fenders had ridden up. It’s a constant worry!

[@johnfoster3286]

There is no 100% reliable solution to securing a yacht when leaving, you just have to treat it like your house and lock it.

[@svfairisle]

Arh yes if Andy meant secure as in lock it's just a padlock on the companionway and i do shut & lock the hatches if were leaving it properly unattended. Boats are pretty easy to break into it has to be said.

[@MaShcode]

That part of the world would not cure my gyro addiction.

[@waderogers]

Hey Steve, excellent solo episode! I learned the ancient Koine Greek language in college but have never been to Greece…yet. Good info on using the guide books for anchoring info and I’m wondering what anchoring app you use that shows satellite images. I too use Google Earth when trip planning for a sailing trip here in Southeast Alaska, and your video made it sound like your anchoring app shows satellite images, if I’m not mistaken.

[@svfairisle]

Yes it does its called 'Anchor' although I'm not sure it's still available everywhere on the Apple app store as some people report they can't find it.

[@svfairisle]

The sat images on there are 'powered by Bing' so are different from Google

[@waderogers]

@@svfairisle I also have the 'Anchor' app on my phone and iPad but had never seen the satellite images, due in part to the fact that here in Southeast Alaska, I'm often out of cellphone range in remote areas, even with a cell phone range extender onboard, so it appears one needs an internet connection to get the satellite images to show. Which would explain why I've never seen them before while using the Anchor app as an anchor alarm, because I'm not able to connect to the 'net via either a wifi or cellular signal. Thanks for the reply. That cleared it up for me. If you run across an app or a way to download satellite images of specific areas, i"d appreciate hearing about it if that's possible. Would help me in our remote temperate rain forest and in the mountain fjords where I sail. Hello to your darling wife!

[@svfairisle]

@@waderogers Thanks Wade, I don’t think and app will be able to have satellite imagery off line as it’s so big. It’s a shame you don’t often get signal where you are because as well as the satellite picture to get an idea of the sea bed with a 4G signal you also get all the detail on land on the normal mode which I find useful

[@davidwarnes5158]

Angina the perstacio island

[@tingtongfarangproductions6818]

catching anything in greece is difficult, they have spent many years fishing with dynamite and still do

[@secondprize]

When I moved down here I saw this teen walking around with an effed up haircut, like all patchy. I asked my dad what was up and he said he must be up in one of the mountain villages where the barber is an old fisherman nicknamed 'Handy.' Lost one hand fishing with dynamite then kept on and said goodbye to the other one. Nice guy, terrible violinist though but it's impressive enough he gets it to make sounds.

[@rogersantosmusicofficial2205]

What a beautiful town. I could live there for the rest of my life, and finally get away from all the madness, but it's all Greek to me. Was that Vivaldi you played during the town walk?

[@svfairisle]

It was actually Bach, Air on a G string.

[@rogersantosmusicofficial2205]

@@svfairisle beautiful track

[@williambell8282]

Steve..Are you restricted to 90 days in 180 under the new post Brexit regime? Or do you have a Greek visa? Bill

[@svfairisle]

I'm restricted, it's gonna be tight!

[@mentonish]

Poros is like st tropez

[@josephsellarslesacelier2742]

i d like to visit sicilian pagan temples-- greece poseidon types ar too far frm home in florida usa

[@richardhall5277]

Lots of good bays, moorings and harbours you missed up from Monemvasia - Gerkas, Fokianos, Plaka, Vivari, Kilada and others. Spetsis is worth the hassle of the harbour. Get a moped and go around the island. Great part of the world.

[@svfairisle]

Yes I wish we had more time, maybe on the way back!

[@sailing.not.dreaming]

🤣

[@josephsellarslesacelier2742]

my ancestors wer sakellarios in constantinopl an sakellaripoulos in sparta peloponnese = we moved to aberdeen scotland in 1200 = i m not pleased havin greek orthodox paternl famly ==- i d like toi get th athens to patmos rhodes blu star ferry somday

[@steenkigerrider5340]

Did you and your former colleague leave the BBC with abhorrent disgust, like Andrew Neil and others? And for God’s sake, hook up to a lifeline when sailing solo. It would have made such a pathetic impression when your camera's had recorded you (22:43-23:00) being unceremoniously tossed overboard, never to be seen again.

[@svfairisle]

The BBC was an excellent place to work with the best staff in the business bar none. Sadly it has the worse management, hey ho nothing’s perfect. Re. Safety gear everyone has their own limits and protocols, you won’t see me with PFDs and harness in those sorts of conditions coastal sailing, just takes a bit more than that for me to deem it necessary, others may act differently, which is fine.

[@billygrahamyachtsinc753]

Half the time you talk so fast and the background noise from whatever sources, we can't hear what your saying. Why do all cruisers try to be movie producers and add background music to many passages. Considering your previous careers, you should know better. We want to hear the sounds of a cruising sailboat and the sea, not your favourite rapper. I like seeing a scene you present and visually take it in without shitty music annoying me. Yes we like onboard boat project's, but instead of your toilet repair, show more of the Great restaurant or local area of the town your visiting. I like your vessel, but your video presentations, like many cruisers are questionable. I own a 50 ft steel junk rigged schooner. Regards owner of Billy Graham Yachts Inc. Travel safe.

[@timcarswell9559]

There is always the mute button or even the Stop button if you really hate the videos so much!