IONIAN ISLANDS - Poem

IONIAN ISLANDS

We are finally through the Corinth Canal
And the now-tame Corinth Bay
The admiral deals with the Rion Bridge
(There aren't even tolls to pay)

Now we're crossing the gulf of Patros
And this morning right on first light
We make out Cephallonia
It's a very welcome sight

We tie up at Argostoli
And do the mountain climb
To the famous stony Myrtos Beach
Where it's watermelon time

We besiege the Venetian fortress
At the tiny Assos port
There's a shady spot to sit and sketch
(Some tones may not have been caught)

The Lonely Planet says of Fiskardho
It's for "yachties with attitude"
We're not at all sure what to make of this
Perhaps they meant "altitude"?

We put out our long lines with real panache
In case we must pass some test
The people next door need help from us
And we're just as good as the rest

When we go ashore we find the port
Is a sunny low-key place
It has tables laid for thousands,but
Of "attitude" barely a trace

We sail north to Anti Paxos
We have trouble anchoring here
We walk to the hill top taverna
Note this: orange juice,not beer

All the boats depart by late afternoon
For Paxos for the night
We anchor at Gaios; the harbour displays
Venice pinks in the evening light

We motor-scoot north up to Laka
Back via Longos to the east
We are charged "August" prices to do it
(Demand doubles today, at least)

It's a calm flat sea as we motor north
Towards old Corfu Town
We have an anxious meeting here
With an artist of some renown

It works out all right 'cos we ply him with drinks
So that when Warren comes to look
He nods with approval and puts a gold star
Rather liberally through the sketch book

We dine well with Warren at Pelekas
Then up for an overnight stay
At the memory-laden Levant Hotel
(Which might have had its day)

There's a quick overnight at Laka
And one last go at Greek food
Now we're off across the Ionian Sea
To catch the Sicilian mood.

AUGUST 2008