Animals - who'd have them!!

We're cat sitting. His name is Barney. He's 8 months old. He likes to sleep on Marks squishy belly. He's adventurous. He gets into every nook and cranny on the boat and where ever he is. Unfortunately his adventurousness (is that a real word lol) got him into trouble early this morning. While we were still in bed he appeared in the saloon (same as a landlubbers sitting room) soaking wet!! Not just damp, but soaking all the way up to his neck!! No doubt about it he's been in the sea. He leapt about shaking here, shaking there, leaving puddles everywhere before we could get up and slow him down. Mark rinsed him under the tap while his little heart was pumping away madly - poor little thing he was seriously upset with his experience.

Where and how it happened and how he got out, cos it's not easy to get out anywhere in a Marina, we've no idea but you wouldn't believe how much water he managed to bring into the cockpit.

He doesn't seem any worse for wear now, he's had breakfast, been for a wee scamper and is now asleep in the sun. While my morning has been spent washing everything he soaked with sea water!!

What would we have told his mum and dad if he hadn't managed to get himself out - doesn't bear thinking about.

Some fun on Lefkas this weekend

This weekend was the Round Lefkas Island Race, 45 nautical miles. The weather forecast had been changing all week and none of it was particularly good, from too much wind to no wind. Anyway 9 yachts gathered at the north end of the island for a 9.30 start. (the rest being put off by the mixed weather forecast, some would say in hindsight, wisely) Last years race was in our mind taking 15 agonising hours on a J24. Some poor boats and crew timed out after 32hrs of hard racing due to lack of wind. This year we were on a slightly bigger boat (Dehler Optima 101, a 34ft yacht) with more creature comforts, like a toilet! A cooker so we could have hot food and bunks to have a rest on if we wanted.

Well we started with a reasonable wind, and then as the thunderstorms rolled by we had wind from all points of the compass at a variety of strengths. We had the Asymmetric up, Asymmetric down, Genny out, then quickly the Spinnaker up then back to the Genny. This went on for an hour or two till we were dizzy. Then a new weather system bought in 30+ knots of wind for a close reach. We changed to a number three headsail and had 2 reefs in the main, flying down the bottom third of the west coast of Lefkas. That wind stayed with us with occasional bigger gusts in the high 30’s. (max wind strength of 48knts was recorded on another yacht. We had no wind instrument maybe just as well!) Those conditions stayed with us for the next few hours and we were pushing the boat as hard as it would go. Now we thought we had a chance of breaking the record, it stood at 10 hours 6 mins 53 seconds. We rounded the bottom western corner to sail along the south coast of the island at 3pm and hardened onto the wind for another 2 and bit hours. Luckily the sea only got up to a couple of meters or so and gave us a really fast sail for those hours. At the south east corner of the island we bore away, and with the reefs shaken out of the main and the number one head sail we were doing over 7 knots, but the record beckoned so we put the Spinnaker up flew up the channel surfing down the waves at over 9 knots. That ended with a big gust and a near broach when the spinnaker pole jumped off the mast and all hell let loose till we got the kite down, got sorted and got it up again. We’d been racing nearly 8 hours by now, pushing it all the way and we were getting seriously knackered but we still had a chance at the record. Another 15 minutes and the gusts were gaining in strength and the Spinnaker was getting a real handful, particularly as we were shorthanded and it was getting dark. Pull it down, Genny out again, still keeping over 5 knots boat speed. The finish line is now less than an hour away, we’re in with a great chance of the record!! We crossed the line at 18:22 and some seconds giving us a total race time of 9.16:37. We still had to check with the records to see how close we were to it.

Nine boats started, only 2 finished. We’d blown out the Spray Hood, the second reefing point on the boom was torn out (at which point we nearly lost me (Maureen) overboard while lashing it when a gust hit), the Genny reefing block exploded and we were all knackered and battered, but very hopeful. After some hot food and a well deserved beer we got confirmation we had beaten the record by 50 minutes – WOW – fantastic, and it’s a good record, we think it will be some time before it’s broken again!

UK back to Greece via Lake Garda

Our journey back to Greece was a little meandering. We took in the Southampton Boat Show, a night with friends who were staying in the New Forest, horse riding in the New Forest – fantastic, but took me nearly 2 weeks to recover, due to not being on a horse for years and a couple of nights at Lake Garda.

Garda, which is in the north-east of Italy, just below Lake Como, is less touristy than Lake Como and extremely beautiful. It’s the largest of Italy’s fresh water lakes, some 30 miles long, stretching from north to south and from 1 -10 miles across and incredibly deep in parts – 350meters. The southern lakeshore is low, rolling land and fairly built-up. In contrast, the dramatic fjord-like northern end is surrounded by towering mountains and cliffs. Most of the lakeside towns are popular holiday resorts; and differ in character. We stayed at the south east corner in Garda itself. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit as it apparently gets very busy during the high season. We had a very pleasant couple of days there, lovely sunshine during the day, fantastic food in the evenings and were treated to a FREE live Jazz night, unexpected and very good.

Back in Lefkas we got straight back to work on Summertime and have been putting in some very long days, trying to get her finished by the end of the year. We may be over optimistic with that but that’s what we’re aiming for. Her bottom had 7 coats of Epoxy over a period of 4 days a couple of weeks ago, with just 3 of us doing it; it’s a long way round a 47 foot boat with each coat. We were mightily knackered at the end of the week!! But her bottom looks lovely. Right now we’re concentrating on woodwork inside particularly for me varnishing and there’s lots of it!!

We had some sad news a couple of weeks after arriving back in Lefkas, our beautiful dog Lewie sadly had to be put to sleep following a stroke. Lewie had been staying with our brilliant friends John and Janet since we’ve been out here and it was very upsetting for them to have to deal with poor Lewie and heartbreaking for us not being there when it happened. I have the photo shown here of Lewie on my desktop, it’s so realistic that for the last year that it’s been there I mentally tickle him around his ears every time my computer is booting up. Now I do that with a heavy heart. We’d had Lewie from a puppy but unfortunately he hated the boat, if he hadn’t hated it with such a passion he would have been with us. He was a fantastic dog, loving and intelligent and will be sadly sadly missed.

On a more enjoyable note, the Winter Racing series has started again and last Sunday we had perfect sailing conditions for the race north of the Island, sailing up to Prevesa and back for 2 laps. A longer race than normal, with it taking 1 ½ hours per lap, but was brilliant, not least because we were 2nd over the line and won by miles on corrected time. This year we’re sailing on a Dehler Optima 101, a bit bigger than the J24 we were on last year and a very good boat to sail. We’re hopeful we’ll be up there in the prizes at the end of the year.

Next race is Round the Island. Last year it took us 27 agonising hours, this year we’re praying for a bit more wind, not too much though, it can get quite lumpy on the west side of the island being open sea all the way to Italy!!

August in the UK

The day after we arrived in Venice we flew back to the UK and picked up our 'runabout' ...........niiiiice!!!

We were nearly 2 weeks later arriving than we had first arranged. I had organised our girls get together at Hewenden and would only be getting back a few days before they were due. Another great weekend of catching up and lots of laughs. It's hard to believe a year had passed since we were last together.

Michael and Eve came up the next week and stayed a night, the next day was lovely and sunny and we took Lewie for a walk up to the viaduct and got some very different piccies of it this year - have a look here.

Michael Eve and Lewie (swimming)

We had a trip down to Birmingham to the Aston Eye Hospital for me to have a consultation for Laser Eye Treatment, got caught up in V Festival traffic and took 4 1/2 hours to get there from Yorkshire - nightmare.

Then the next weekend was spent in the Lake District with Dave and Carole and Steve and Elise. It rained!! We went down to Bury to stay a night with Dave and Chris and it rained!! We got back to Hewenden and it's raining!! We've both been b****y frozen since we've been back.

So that's where we're up to, we'll be off to Stoke to pick up our car (a friend drove it back from Greece for us) later this week ready to fill it up with 'stuff' to take back, then we've got the Bank Holiday Weekend with friends - it's sure to rain!!

Lefkas to Venice on a Grand Soleil

As I said in my last blog, we altered our journey plans back to the UK to include a delivery trip to Venice on a 46@ Grand Soleil. What I haven't told you is that the boat needed some urgent repairs before it was sailable, just small things like the Autopilot!!! Most of the instruments weren't working so Mark repaired what we considered to be the most necessary - like the Autopilot!!!, GPS, small engine problems (water pump exploded) and on an on. By the time we did set sail we still didn't have any wind info apart from the Windex on the top of the mast which wasn't reflective so can't be seen at night unless a torch is shined up to it, and depth which was only available at the chart table.

Anyway we set sail 4 days later than we were supposed to due to waiting for parts for the engine water pump.

After a short sea trial in Lefkas we thought this boat would be fast and give us an exciting sail. We were looking forward to a quick trip. Oh how wrong we were......

The first leg of the journey was to Gouvia Marina on Corfu - call it a bit of a shake down. We got out of the north end of Lefkas and started to pull out the mast furled mainsail - it was jammed. That took us half an hour to free and get going. The rest of the day went without any problems. Arrived at Gouvia at 9.30ish and got moored up. First part of the journey undertaken - no problems.

Next morning, fuelled up again and off we go. Out of Gouvia, Mainsail up, pull the Genoa out and it tore right across where the UV strip should be (note 'should be' - it didn't have one) at the height of the top spreader. Luckily there was another foresail onboard, so we changed that and got underway. Morning was fine, building wind, lovely sailing, this is what we were looking forward to. By mid afternoon we had well in excess of 30 knots of wind (for the non sailors among you that's a lot!) and confused short seas - basically a less than pleasant sail for lots of hours. It was during this period we realised how many more problems this boat had - we knew it had had a keel repair from an old crunch, the mast had been taken off during the repair and hadn't been put back on properly or tensioned correctly and the rest of the repair hadn't been carried out very well. The result was that every wave we slammed down on shook the rig right down to its boots with an alarming judder and very loud sounds of complaint. Coupled with that, water was pouring in through the deck around the mast and most of the window leaked to some degree. We held our breadth every time it happened. We did a lot of slamming over the next 2 days. There were times I thought the whole rig would come down around our ears. We also had a Genoa sheet explode just as dusk was falling on the 2nd evening, so a small fight in high winds ensued with that to end over end the sheets. We were motor sailing to try and keep any kind of northerly course, even then we were forced more west than we wanted to go. Add to that we were in a busy shipping area and as always there's lots of traffic at night. Our track over the water looked like a snail on LSD. Are we having fun yet?????

Day three, we're beginning to get a little tired when the weather calmed down and we were back on course sailing in the right direction. Now the weather was a little calmer I started cleaning the boat down below, we had considerable amount of salt on the inside due to the leaking mast and windows. Day four, calm and pleasant sailing during the day, real busy traffic during the night, however that old friend 'fear' keeps you awake and alert at night. Those big ferries look 'REAL' big close up at night.

Day five and six, no wind. We had to motor for the last 36 hours of the journey on seas of glass, the forecast was for the wind to go round to the south which would have been brilliant, unfortunately it didn't happen. Luckily we took on extra fuel for just such an event.

Well, we'd had it all on this short journey, we thought it would take us four days from Corfu and it took and extra 24 hours exactly to get into Albarella Marina, just south of Venice. This poor boat needs some serious TLC and ti won't be cheap. But that's not our problem; we sat with a beer giving thanks that this bag of spanners had actually made.

Would we take on another delivery - another boat, another destination - a definite maybe!!

Detour on a Grand Soleil

July has been a hot and busy month, we've been working since we came back from our travels and some days recently have been over 40 degrees - wilting temperatures. We're obviously more acclimatised this year though, last year we couldn't do anything when it was like this.

We should have been flying back July 30th but we were asked if we'd take a boat up to Venice, it needed to be there as soon as possible in August.

So we thought a small detour on such a great boat (a Grand Soleil) would be a mini adventure. It's a real high quality boat and should be a joy to sail. We'll fly home from Venice.

The picture here is not the one we're delivering but it's identical. Unfortunately the one we're sailing has been sadly neglected for some time so it needed a good clean and some repairs to auto pilot etc before we would venture out in it.

Next blog will be when we get back to UK when I can tell you all about the trip.

Michael and Eve come to Greece

June was given over to holidaying with Michael and Eve. They were out for nearly the whole month. That's a long time to try and remember everything we would get up to so I kept a short diary, here's a shortened version ...

Day one, relaxing day, got the boat stowed ready for off the next day.

Day Two, down to One Tree Bay to clean the boats' bottom while anchored in fantastic clear water. With diving kit on I did the rudder and prop, Mike did as much as he could snorkeling. Mark did bugger all cos he and his diving kit didn't get on. Stayed the night at anchor just along the coast in a lovely sheltered bay.

Day Three, motored down to Vassiliki at the bottom of Lefkas Island to see about some Laser sailing for Mike and Eve at the watersports centre but alas it was not to be so we sailed up to Sivota and had a barby tea and anchored for the night.
Day Four, sailed up to Skoprios (island owned by the Onassis family), anchored off Onassis beach hut. This beautiful bay is featured in all the pilot books. Swam and Mark made a beaut curry for dinner. Lovely quiet night at anchor in this stunning bay.

Day Five, north to Ligia, anchored off and took part in the Lefkas Yacht Club dinghy sailing afternoon. M & E had fun in Lasers, Mark and I took out a Sport 14, didn't know what we were doing and capsized. I raced with another couple and won that race. M & E raced lasers, Mike won his race. Great afternoon, totally knackering. Had dinner at a lovely little seaside Taverna, waves lapping at the wall. Stayed at anchor for the night.

Day Six, back into the Marina, wash poor boat, shop and stock up and we all went racing on a Sigma 36 in the evening, very fluky wind but first across the line, everyone happy.

Day Seven, left Marina and sailed down to Poros on Cephalonia. good sailing nearly all day. Got moored up and the wind began to rise. Stayed the next day as a Force 7 blew through. Very challenging getting on and off the boat as it bounced around. Walked up to a Greek tomb in the hills which was disappointing. Nice BBQ that evening on board.

Day Nine, sailed to Katakalon on the Peloponesse. Went for a swim once anchored, water was freezing!! Spent most of the next day at Olympia, it's one of Greece's many historic sites and well worth a visit. On our way back we stopped at Olympia Theatre, where Mike took to the stag while we made up an audience of 3, a good day out.

Day Eleven, motor sailed north into head winds to the top of Zante, Ag. Nikoalous. Long day, 8 hours sailing but we needed to get north so M & E can take part in Vassiliki watersports festival.

Day Twelve, visited Blue Grotto at the northern tip of Zante, it was worth a visit but definitely didn't live up to the hype given it. Continued north to Ag. Euphemia on Cephalonia. Sea like a mill pond so stopped and anchored for lunch along the coast, idyllic, went for long swims. Not wind till nearly at destination then about 20 knot while trying to anchor.

Day Thirteen, sailed up the channel between Cephalonia and Ithaca, to the bay at the top west coast of Icatha, this bay is truly beautiful. Anchored, had lunch then swam for the next couple of hours, lazed then had BBQ dinner. When it dark we lay on deck and watched the stars, the bay is nearly deserted so visibility was fantastic. Had a very peaceful night. That is definitely the best it gets sailing in the Ionian.

Day Fourteen, no wind so motored up to Vassiliki for the watersports festival. Over the next few days we all go racing. First day of Laser racing Eve got 2 2nds and 2 3rds, poor Mike didn't do so well. We timed out in the cruiser pursuit race, very frustrating winds. Next day Eve got 2 2nds and a FIRST!! She finally bet the Greek Olympic bronze medallist. All good fun for everyone.

Day Twenty, shopping, filling up with diesel then sailed down to Kioni on Ithaca. Anchored with line ashore in the outer harbour, not a very comfortable night so next morning we sailed down to Vathi and anchored in the bay. Mark made curry for dinner and I made my famous lemon tart. Wind picked up over night and really blew through till mid afternoon next day so we stayed put.

Day Twenty Three, motor sailed to Missalonghi
on the Greek mainland. In the harbour there's and area given over to old fighter planes, tanks and missiles. Mark and Mike enjoyed climbing all over them.

Day Twenty Four, motor sailed under the Rion Bridge (spectacular bridge) to Navpaktos. Fabulous little harbour town with a castle overlooking the bay. Walked up to the castle through the lovely old houses. Got seriously rained on before finding a cafe to shelter and have hot chocolate. Castle closed!! Ate out in a lovely traditional Greek restaurant, we all agreed it was the best place we'd been.

Day Twenty Five, spent the morning in Navpaktos then sailed to Patras marina on the Peloponesse. Went into St Georges square in the evening and had nice gyros and souvlake for dinner. Next day Mike and Eve began their journey home. Bus from Patras to Athens then flight to Manchester. Sad to see them go but we've had a great time.

Mark and I set off along the Gulf of Corinth towards Trizonia. Good wind, up to 28 knots, so good downwind sail all the way. Trizonia is a beautiful quiet island just off the coast of mainland Greece about halfway between the Ionian Sea and the Corinth Canal. We spend a couple of peaceful days chilling.

Day Twenty Eight, left Trizonia and had a good sail all the way back under the Rion Bridge to Messalonghi on our journey back to Lefkas. Next day sailed from Messalonghi to the island of Kastos in big winds, high 20's low 30's, 3 reefs in the genoa and one in the mainsail, not what was forecast and provided a very spirited sail. Anchored in the bay outside Kastos harbour. Dinner ashore at the Windmill restaurant overlooking Kastos bay. Next day a short journey to the next island of Kalamos, pulled into Port Kalamos to get food, which included the steepest uphill walk to the bakery we've undertaken. A lovely village. Then up to the top of the island to a lovely sandy bay for any afternoon of swimming and snoozing.

Day Thirty one, north to BBQ bay, where we started out nearly a month earlier for our last night. Fabulous holiday, the first real sailing and exploring we've done since arriving in Greece 18 months ago. It was brilliant.

Piccies to follow shortly.