To start this newsletter, let me introduce you to The Little Owl cottage near Rachi, Nidri. This cottage is an absolute gem and I found it by a chance conversation with Simon and Lucy of Get Active whom I have known for over 15 years, when I made a recent booking for my Norwegian couple who sailed with me to have 4 E-bikes for a day’s biking adventure.
Simon and Lucy had lived in this cottage since 2007 and rebuilt it themselves before building a new home close by with their workshop etc. But this early summer had it ready for rental for the first time.
It’s here, down amongst the trees and olive groves. Secluded, yes, but as one can see very close to Nidri and the sea and islands of the Meganissi channel. The small track brings one to the front yard of the Little Owl Cottage, just perfect after a day on the water sailing to return to this totally different atmosphere for a relaxing evening away from the bustle of the waterside hotels and apartments.
It is very evident that the rebuild work of the cottage has been carried out in a very professional and creative manner. With my background as a cabinetmaker and joiner I really appreciate the quality of work and fittings used, the simple design mode and great colours to open up the area. And not a flat-pack cabinet in sight!
For those who would like to explore the area further, I am able to offer road and mountain biking through Lucy and Simon and their bike hire business, Get Active. This goes so well together with sailing on my charter packages and it’s a great way to see this area of the South Ionian Sea from another perspective.
John and Karri, who are originally from the States but are now resident in Norway, booked well in advance for a late July week along with great friends Per and his wife Bridget, having 2 side-by-side apartments with Peter at the Armonia. John had the more sailing experience amongst the group, so after spending a day on board with them showing how the boat was rigged, etc., John took over command and on a daily basis went out and explored the bays and coves of the Meganissi Channel. A great experience for John, who is himself looking to buy an early Mk 1 Lugger from a good pal in Norway. These Drascombe boats get everywhere.
To have a change of scene and environment, they opted to hire E bikes for their last day, and Lucy kindly delivered the bikes to them at the Armonia. What great service, and our thanks to Lucy for her kind organisation.
It’s quite a climb up to top of Lefkada but the Ebike makes light work of it and you can enjoy some great views!
Polykarpos (Pol) and his family joined me for the first week in August. This is a first on two accounts. Firstly a Greek family booking a Lugger charter package. Secondly the youngest, Victoria, was just 3 years old. It was a delight to spend my week with then ensuring the girls had a good experience of being on a small boat, and for Pol an introduction to the Drascombe Lugger that he has been following for a number of years on my two websites.
Initially Pol had a problem with his overseas work commitments in China and beyond, so dates for an apartment at the Armomia didn’t click. Thankfully he was able to swing a few things and booked the week. You will note in this first photograph that the family are all wearing a Drascombe T-shirt which he had printed in Athens at very short notice. It depicts the Luggers and the 2026 adventure for the Palainis Family – Pol and Efi with children Victoria and Konsandina, to celebrate their visit.
From the outset I was conscious that this could not be a usual sailing charter with 2 kids of this age. However Pol was so interested and involved with the Lugger I had to try and meet his expectations.
On the first morning I met up with Pol after their very enjoyable buffet breakfast at the Armonia apartments and gave him a run down on the rigging arrangements on the boat, along with all the statutory safety info required by the port authorities, and then went out into Vliho bay for a first sail. He has a very good sailing background in small and large yachts, and he helps with a Sea Scout training group near Athens. There they have Gaff rigged cutters, so for him it was just to familiarise himself with the layout of the boat.
We had a great morning and then returned to the Armonia pontoon where the girls were having a great morning splashing about in the pool. Peter did a great salad lunch for us before I took the family out in the Lugger to visit Oasis bay, a matter of 30 minutes away to the South and out of Vliho bay but heading for Meganisi.
The family visited Oasis bay every day and it became the favoured stopping off point for a swim. With the Lugger Bimini sunshade, swimming ladder and picnic cool bag set, it became a part of their day out with a picnic lunch in the shade and lots of jumping off the gunwale rail of the Lugger. Even little Victoria was so happy floating about and watching the fish feed off scraps of biscuit. What a lovely family setting, all together having great fun in the water.
Kasi was keen to take the tiller under the watchful eye of her dad. She did well and concentrated even with very light and fluky winds. Everyone had a great week.
For the last full day Pol took the family out for their last sail and swim and to say goodbye to the fish in Oasis bay. What an incredible week for them. The service Peter provided at the Armonia was just great. At the end of the day one could swim and use the pool and get into the shade of the pool bar for a light snack and an ice cold beer. The kids were just a few metres away in the shallow part of the pool. Overall the Armonia is becoming my first option as a venue, the beam-to mooring is so much better than the ‘wobbly’ lazy lines pontoon at the Geni Garden, mixed with its proximity to Nidri and spacious Garden rooms. It’s ace.
My favourite period out in the Ionian approaches, September and early to mid October. Yes, the temperature drops, kids are back to school and the majority of Northern European tourists are back to work in their home countries. But all local facilities remain in full swing.
I still have availability in September and early October, so if you have the flexibility to get away for a week’s late summer sailing, call now and grab a really good deal.
As a reminder to those considering a 2027 package, booking now the confirmation payment terms are:
- Just a £100 confirmation payment now before 28 October 2026
- The balance of the 50% deposit will not be requested until 3 January 2027
- The final payment is due 10 weeks before your booked date.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch and I’ll be pleased to help
Phil. Osborne
+44 7812 562579
info@dragondrascombe.com