Hi Everybody,
Currently in Messolongion Marina, north side of Gulf of Patras, Greece. We arrived here 2weeks ago having sailed from Lefkas with Andy, a new crew member, onboard. Unfortunately Andy had to return to work, so Paul and I began looking for somewhere to winter, we came here as it had been recommended by a few liveaboards, and sure enough we found a newly opened marina with reasonable prices and quite a large liveaboard community [mostly english but a few french, germans, dutch, scandis and one canadien boat], so we will probably settle here for a few months and get on with repairs, etc..
It was the 'clubhouse' opening party last night-just a room with 1table, 5 chairs, a stereo system and a fridge, oh yes and a bookcase with no shelves,but it looks promising. Paul took his guitar so we had the inevitable singsong.Lots of events and activities planned for the future so it looks as though we will be entertained or entertaining.
Messalongion is quite a big town and it has a Lidl and Carrefour!! It was the first place to be liberated from Turkish rule in 19century and is still very nationalistic, the folk are very welcoming but will have to get to grips with this Greek language mularky to get anywhere with supplies.
Unfortunately it is raining at present but not cold or windy,seems the same everywhere in Greece.Paul is fixing the pushbike up for me as he already has his motorbike up and running and mine needs quite a bit of tlc before i can ride it again! Hope to get the topmast on, stern filled in , raise the central hatch and put in portholes when the weather permits along with all the regular maintenance and mending jobs, so should be kept busy!
So anyone wanting to come out for hols here are welcome, it is about 3-4hours by bus from Athens,we will probably be here at least until March, or if we move it will be to stop somewhere else not too far from Athens.
Plan is then after lifting, reantifouling and painting hull to do some cruising around here and head back to the Guadiana sometime in the summer, spend a bit of time there and then the Canaries and hopefully across the pond next winter. Well that's the plan, so anyone interested in joining us think about when, etc..
Hope everyone is fine and well and enjoying life. Love to hear all your news too!! Cheers H&Pxx
PS Pic of Andy on the way here, great weather and he did a sterling job of packing the jib
