CORINTH CANAL, GREECE

OFFICIALLY ON THE AEGEAN AS RON COMES BACK FROM PAYING THE CANAL TOLL FOR JANNER

WHO EVER PLANS IT

ON A TRANSIT

MUST STOP AND WAIT 

WHEN THEY RAISE THE GATE

 FRIDAY 6TH SEPT 2013

 An early radio call from Campbell to Greek Canal Control told us to call from half a mile out.
We were anchored at the time and waking up but twigged that a ship was lining up at the western entrance. We upped anchor and shot over there for a no waiting, join behind the ship Corinth Canal passage. Janner just made it in behind us before they raised the car bridge back up which sinks underwater when ships go through. Lati and Scarlet missed by that much and had to wait at the traffic lights while we passed through.

The Corinth Canal joins the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in Aegean Sea. It's 4 miles or 6.4 kms long and only 20 metres wide at it's base.

The canal was mooted in classical times in 7th c B.C.  and an abortive effort was made to build it in the 1st century AD. Construction finally got underway in 1881 but was hampered by geological and financial problems that bankrupted the original builders. It was completed in 1893, but due to the canal's narrowness, navigational problems and periodic closures to repair landslips from its steep walls, it failed to attract the level of traffic anticipated by its operators. It is now used mainly for tourist traffic which suited us.

After the novelty and awe of the canal we motor sailed around to Korfos with a slight diversion as we almost carved out the ABC sign on the plotter whilst trolling lures chasing tuna that were chopping up the water everywhere. Alas, no sashimi.

Lunch ashore, a blog post and now time for a swim.

We can't bear for this fairy tale to end.

Remember, click on a pic for the slideshow.

PRE DAWN GREEN LIGHTS MEAN GO AS CAR BRIDGE IS LOWERED UNDERWATER FOR SHIPPING

SNEAKING A LOOK DOWN CANAL PAST SHIP

46 FT BAVARIA BEHIND US THEN JANNER

DAWN LIGHTS UP WALLS

LOTS OF CRUMBLING OLD WALLS AND BOLLARDS

DAWN TOUCHING THE TOP

LOUISE, ANNE, ANNETTE AND CATRINA AT THE PAY STATION WHARF

LOUISE LEVITATES ROPES, AN OLD YACHTING SKILL

RON CHOOFS OFF TO KORFOS TOO

CAMPBELL COMES BACK WHILE WE PLAY WITH THE DOGS