Our first sail....... From Corfu to Otranto

Corfu Easter celebrations were a fitting finale to our Greek cruising days.

Leaving Corfu..........

The cliffs of NW Corfu

Over the previous three years we had been spoilt by Greek hospitality and it was very sad to leave.  However our sailing adventures are all about exploring all of the Mediterranean and 2013 meant a new destination across the Ionian Sea.   Cathy and David Garcia, old sailing buddies, joined us for the crossing and our first few days in ITALY.

Alan, Cathy and David at last Greek port of Othoni

Othoni harbour with Moody B'Lou in distance

Tranquil view from the taverna

David with waitress and cook's husband  (waitress was Italian, the cook was from Equador)

Sleepy little harbour - Othoni

However to break the long journey to Italy we had a brief stop at the small island of Othoni, NW of Corfu.  This was a delightfully sleepy place.  We did manage to find an open taverna and enjoyed our last Greek supper.  The next morning we discovered why the port was so quiet - as we motored out of the harbour the boat had a horrible collision with an unmarked rock - we were all thrown to the deck but apart from sore bottoms no other damage.

Crossing to Italy - Alan relaxing whilst David took the helm

First task on reaching the Italian Coast.........

Moody B'Lou moored at distant end of the harbour

This was our first visit to a 'centro storico' in the old fortified town of Otranto

Beautifully restored Cathedral

Our first landing point in Italy was at the pretty port of Otranto on the Puglian Coast.  Ancient fortified walls backed onto the harbour - behind these walls lay the old centre of Otranto built in golden sandstone.  Many centuries ago Otranto was the most important port to the East, but following a brutal raid by the Turks in 1480 when 800 locals were beheaded, the port fell into disuse.