I lied. We are in the UK for a couple of weeks. The boat however is still in Corfu and we are heading back there very soon. So much for the heatwave in the UK - it evaporated just as we got back. The T-shirts and shorts are now back in the case and the sweaters and jeans are out.
Gouvia marina is not a bad place to leave the boat for a month while we are away. Unlike most of the other marinas we have been in, there is almost zero swell from passing ferries - 'cause there aren't any! Even when the wind blows, the effect on the water is almost unnoticeable. We found someone local to keep an eye on the boat while away - for a fee - and employed a diver to clean the hull so we won't need to get it lifted to antifoul until the winter.
Before we returned to the UK, we had a few days to work our way through the list of jobs needed and sample some more bars and restaurants. All the meals we have had have been very good - and not too expensive. The lamb chops in the "Bistro" (out of the north gate and turn right) were the nicest tasted since we can't remember. The marina has an on-site supermarket complete with supermarket trolleys so no problem getting large quantities of water, beer and juice down to the boat.
Jobs on the boat included changing the engine oil which had done almost 200 hours since the last change - done just before we left Lagos. The log was showing 1600 miles so assuming around 5.5knts that means over half the journey from Lagos was done withe the engine on - it felt like a lot more! We've not had any further problems with the engine cooling (the problem we had in Palermo) so that seems to be solved. I also managed to buy a swivel joint for the boarding plank and so need to fit that when we get back. One other problem we have had is keeping the fridge compressor cool. It is buried in one of the spaces behind the seats in the main saloon with no air circulation so that needs a fan for ventilation. Maplin had a nice quiet one! I do need to think hard about what we will do for a stern anchor for going "bows to". Our current kedge anchor is a 16kg delta which may be overkill. Must do some research on that one then.
Liz and Ju are joining us in Corfu later next week and we will cast off and head south to do some relaxed cruising and try and meet up with Tom - that's Tom who did the first leg of the trip from Scotland to Portugal + the Biscay crossing. He's now doing a flotilla leader job in Nidri. Steve and June on Piper are not too far behind - in Vulcano at the moment, and Jacky and Rob on Arwen are with them heading this way soon. We are therefore planning to stay around the north ionian area for 3 to 4 weeks and take it easy.
I've taken a contract out with Vodaphone in the uk for mobile broadband so although it will be very expensive to use in Greece, we will be able to get some access to internet when we need it - and at least look at the mail and update the blog. We also bought a Greek sim card to give us cheaper calls for the next month or so.
More in a day or two.
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