Astrous - Under construction?

[Cardo]

Kalimera, all.

We're planning to head up to Astrous this afternoon, however whilst planning out my route on the iPad, I've noticed the chart shows (Construction, 2014) over Astrous harbour.

Anyone know what this is about? Is it still worth visiting? Or has the place turned into a building site?

 

[jimbaerselman]

Kim, my daughter, with husband and two young boys are expecting to arrive there this evening (Sunday) for the Neilson flotilla turn-round.

Maybe "construction" refers to the 70m extension of the east harbour wall, now complete? If not send a report back!

If you bump into Kim (just ask the flot leader) send her Dad's love!

 

[Seren]

Astrous

Kim, my daughter, with husband and two young boys are expecting to arrive there this evening (Sunday) for the Neilson flotilla turn-round.

Maybe "construction" refers to the 70m extension of the east harbour wall, now complete? If not send a report back!

If you bump into Kim (just ask the flot leader) send her Dad's love!

Son was there last week and reports that the quay to starboard as you enter is under construction and according to HM will be completed next month.
He took what he thought was the last berth near fishing quay to port but then a flotilla arrived and parked up stern to bows a la Hydra!

 

[Cardo]

Having read the above, and seeing as we left late and weren't going to arrive until gone 5, I was expecting the place to be packed out.

However, arriving here was like entering the Twilight Zone. The only sailing boat is a Greek one rafted up to a Coast Guard boat, with no signs of life. The entire eastern mole is a building site. The western mole looks like it's been extended around 30m beyond where the fishing boats moor up. We went alongside the western mole, on the new bit, to work out what's going on. Within 5 minutes, a friendly PP chap drove up and said that the eastern mole is closed for construction, and all he has to accommodate visitors is this 30m extension, therefore we should moor up stern to to allow space for other boats.

He did seem to think it would busy up, so maybe 5:30pm is early for people to arrive here?

 

[Cardo]

Well, looks like it's nawt but us chickens. Very spooky!

 

[jimbaerselman]

Oooh. Quick text and Kim says "turn-rounds at Navplion, since Astros wasn't ready for them."

JimB

 

[Cardo]

Oooh. Quick text and Kim says "turn-rounds at Navplion, since Astros wasn't ready for them."

JimB

Well, it certainly wasn't the ghost town I was half expecting. The town is clearly vibrant and there was loads of stuff going on. Nice to see they're not mostly reliant on sailors!

 

[Carmel2]

Any updates from this year?

 

[B&M]

Harbour construction now finished, with new pontoons in place but as yet no lazy lines. Of 2 weeks ago the electricity and water boxes were still not working.

 

[Carmel2]

Harbour construction now finished, with new pontoons in place but as yet no lazy lines. Of 2 weeks ago the electricity and water boxes were still not working.

Thanks for the heads up! Did you anchor back or go along side? My concern is that with new construction and the crap left behind to get your hook tangled up with.

 

[B&M]

The whole harbour has been tidied up to a high standard. The holding is variable so would lay plenty of chain if you tie back. I went side to the new pontoons, as a very strong southerly crosswind was blowing.

 

[Carmel2]

Thanks again..

 

[Mwinda]

Just left. It is very smart now. Two pontoons on the NorthWest side, inner one pretty full with local boats, outer one with a few yachts side two. Preferred place for visitors seems to remain stern to on SouthEast quay, there is water and power, and side to on outer part of SouthEast quay (now NorthWest side extended a great deal towards SE).
Depths along the SouthEast side at the quay look good and no obvious ballasting I could see outwards of the first bend in the breakwater - better than my West Aegean pilot (2014 ed) shows. Holding was superb where we dropped, firm mud, might be patchy of course.
Lovely place. Slightly "party" town. Shelter much better than Leonidhion (horrid surge).
Photo attached.

 

[Carmel2]

Thanks for that, and taking the time to post the pic! We are off tomorrow........well that the plan.

 

[Carmel2]

Thanks for that, and taking the time to post the pic! We are off tomorrow........well that the plan.

They have spent A few bob on this place......Very nice.

 

[Mr Cassandra]

Just left. It is very smart now. Two pontoons on the NorthWest side, inner one pretty full with local boats, outer one with a few yachts side two. Preferred place for visitors seems to remain stern to on SouthEast quay, there is water and power, and side to on outer part of SouthEast quay (now NorthWest side extended a great deal towards SE).
Depths along the SouthEast side at the quay look good and no obvious ballasting I could see outwards of the first bend in the breakwater - better than my West Aegean pilot (2014 ed) shows. Holding was superb where we dropped, firm mud, might be patchy of course.
Lovely place. Slightly "party" town. Shelter much better than Leonidhion (horrid surge).View attachment 59097
Photo attached.

And you don't have to eat the horrible overpriced food at Maria`s in Plaka.If only that lady would spend as much time improving her food as she does on her perfect welcome .
I have tried to eat next door for 17 years and been unable to get past her .lol

 

[JanZ]

Were there a few weeks ago.Agree with Mwinda. 2 relevant points, though. Water at base of mole- long hose necessary. 2nd point of interest is a WW11 antiarcraft gun to play on nearby!!!

 

[Carmel2]

All the electric points are working now and you can get water from them (yesterday) No lines. On the extended quay you have 4 points, but the sockets on the first 2 are big 5 pin jobs, the last 2 are normal size but that still only gives you 4 points (2 per post) for about 10 boats. They are spread far apart and I used the full 50m of my cable. The new pontoons have none as far as I could see. The PP were in a right tiz, because a 50 meter boat was coming the following day. It's all a bit enthusiast amateur hour, but it's clean and does the job! Had my anchor pulled out by a nice Italian, so went out to prepare everything again and in the meantime a flot came in and took all the space up, so we buggered off.

If you like real ale there is a restaurant called Batis on the second street back that has Hobgoblin on draft.................strange but true..