Corfu Island

 

Old Fortress of Corfu

Corfu is the northernmost Ionian island with the Albanian border being less than 15 nm away.  It was a quick sail to Corfu from Paxos but there was a lot of traffic ... pleasure boats and ferrys.  We had reservations to stay at Mandraki Marina which lies just the other side of the Old Fortress.  The marina is a bit rugged but historic.  You actually have to go through the Old Fortress to get out into the city which is very awesome.  Mandraki marina is actually run by the local sailing club and is a great place to stage a visit to the city of Corfu.

Mandraki Marina

 The city of Corfu is flanked by two huge castles that have protected the city over the years.  Although, the island spent years under Venetian, French and British rule before being reunited with Greece they can lay claim to never having been defeated by the Ottoman's.  Corfu is known for being a heavily fortified city and the only European capital flanked by two fortresses.

 

Sea Moat separating the town from the fortress

The city of Corfu was separated from the fortress by a sea moat - a divider really between the fortress and the town.  They used a moveable bridge to cross over between the two.  Now there is a permanent bridge linking the two.  While the Old Fortress is now largely a tourist attraction is also houses the library and the Music School for the University.  One of the best things about the marina was listening to the piano music wafting down from the music school each day.  

Old Tower at the Old Fortress

We had initially planned to spend just a few days in Corfu but the weather did not cooperate.  First a one day delay and then another and then another as the wind and rain pummeled the island.  Boats were scrambling to reach a safe harbor as we saw 54 knots of wind!  We ventured outside in the rain by foot but Talaria stayed put until it all subsided.  Our lines reinforced we just rode it out as we thanked our lucky stars that we reserved a spot before the storm hit.  Michael and I have decided that Greece is possibly the windiest place on the planet.  Maybe it is, maybe it isn't but just when we thought we had seen the highest wind we would see... it just got stronger.

Corfu town

The weather delay did however give us some extra time to visit the city so no complaints.  For those of you who are James Bond fans you will recognize the image above as it was a scene in the movie "For Your Eyes Only".  The movie was, of course, filmed on the island of Corfu. 

Mandraki Marina

 Once the weather breaks we will be leaving for the most westerly Ionian islands on our way to Italy.  Our plan is to stay a day or so in Erikoussa and maybe a day in Othnoi before heading over to Otranto, Italy.  And then on to our last stop for the season - Brindisi, Italy.  Talaria will spend the winter in Brindisi while we head home for the holidays.