We have made it to Lavrion on the Attica peninsula, about 40 minutes SE of Athens.

Yesterday morning we awoke from a really peaceful night’s sleep in our campervan park outside Brindisi. Our ferry to Greece left at 13.00 but we had to be at the ferry terminal at least 2 hours in advance. So around 10.15 we left our site and made the short 15 minute journey to the port. It was very chaotic at the terminal with no signs where to park or what to do. We checked in and waited. And waited. Finally around 11.30 a security chap told us we could now get in lane for loading onto the ship. The queues were full of trucks with a handful of cars and half a dozen canpervans or motorhones. We then sat in another queue for another hour until we were finally on board. We were put onto the top deck (which made for some interesting manoeuvring) but at least the batteries would be topped up during the 8 hour crossing! Amazingly, the ship left just 6 minutes behind schedule.

We found ourselves somewhere to camp inside that had a bit of privacy and electrical sockets so we could charge laptops etc. The crossing itself was smooth and uneventful but it took an age to unload. We wanted to stay overnight at a camp stop in Plataria (P4N#431994) around 15 minute drive away. We weren’t sure how many free spaces there would be and felt that most of the other vans on the ferry would also be making their way there. As it happened, we all managed to just fit in so everyone got a good rest overnight before continuing our respective journeys. The place was right next to the beach and had water, showers etc. all for €10 per night. There was even electricity for a small extra charge if you wanted it. Great value and perfect for our needs.

We left at 10.30 to continue our journey as we wanted to get to Lavrion before sunset as we needed to check out a number of potential overnight stops. Our journey was full of memories from our first year in the Ionian back in 2018. We passed bays and coves we had anchored in and towns we had sat out storms in like Preveza and Messolonghi.

We continued on our journey over the Patras Bridge (at a mouthwatering €22 toll charge) and Corinth Canal. Neither of which we had managed when we were sailing.

We finally arrived in Lavrion before dark for a change and decided that the overnight stop in town was ok but not exactly pretty so we continued onto a beach we know called Pounta Zeza. There were parking places available as it’s very much out of season. In fact, it was very chilly with a strong NNE wind blowing so apart from one other motorhome and a car with a caravan (but no one apparently in it), we had the place to ourselves. The beach is only a stone’s throw from the boatyard and will be lovely to wake up looking out on the pretty bay. It’s not on any app as a park up so we were surprised anyone else was there. After a brief walk along the beach we retired back to Dora for dinner and an early night.

Total miles driven since last post: 315 plus 150 miles on ferry

Total miles driven this trip: 1,806 plus 150 miles on ferry

Tolls: €59