3rd May 2012 Ionian Marine, Preveza

We left home on Thursday, 27th April. All the way to Finchampstead. Sophie took us to Gatwick, leaving next morning just after 3am. I thought it was the older generation that had to chivvy the young to get up - not in this case, at some unearthly hour it was she who called out "are you awake yet"! And so, London to Corfu, with time to wander around the old streets of Corfu town. And the next day, it was a small aircraft (island hopping Skyexpress) that took us from Corfu to the mainland and Preveza, flying low with fantastic views of Corfu, Paxos, and Levkas islands. We were seriously overweight for the internal flight by about 20kg between us, but the Greek staff waved us through with insouciance. This then, the last leg to Preveza, where we hoped we would find the boat intact and not sulking at being left.

The key impressions were of instant warmth and sunshine (much better than the forecasts we'd looked at in the UK), spring flowers and blossom everywhere (orange blossom scent is very heady) and the incessant noise of frogs. There are fresh water lagoons around here as well as puddles - a bit late for mating rituals methinks, but they certainly have a raucous sing-song morning and evening.

We found Myrica much as we had left her, and this year, surprisingly tidy. No Saharan dust as last year, and despite their wet winter, no mould or yucky bits inside - all nice and dry - hurray! Arrived on Saturday, aiming to get the boat launched Thursday. We got stuck straight in with the rubbing compound and the polishing of the hull, done by Monday. We could time our start and finish by the morning and evening procession of the local cow herd to and from their pasture; calves and elders, led by cowbells, just over the fence from the boatyard. Farmyards and sailing seem at odds (but Jenny and Eric would no doubt dispute that!)

After that it was antifouling, testing a new (to us) product this year with a significantly higher copper content than others - very heavy, quite thick, we shall see how effective. And clearing water tanks. And the running rigging and sails and bikes and testing of equipment - and meeting up with friends Viv and Alan on Free Spirit, who had come on the island flight with us. So an inspection of the local tavernas with them was a necessity of course, our second night we were given free shots of ouzo to round off our meal. Could get used to that.

Sorry non-sailors. This bit won't take long…. One fly in the ointment was finding the oil from the saildrive leg a bit milky - possible suspect seal. Richard dismantled it and managed to get the seal and bearing out using the workshop vice supplied by the boatyard. Difficult to judge, but obviously some gunge there and possible distortion, only choice is to buy new. Ordering from the UK would mean a delay and staying on the hard for a long time (W doesn't like). Thank heavens for our choice here, good chandlery, English speaking and incredibly helpful chap running it. Arranged for the seals to be couriered here, did not seem over the top in price. We delay our launch for a day or so. The seals duly arrive on Thursday. Except not in the plural. One seal set arrives. Chandlery thinks it has ordered one complete set (ie 2 seals plus O-rings), supplier says they come as single seal and O-ring sets. Back to order another. Put back yet another day. Double the cost of the UK. C'est la vie, the joys of boating in foreign climes.

And so, not yet launched - if the seal does not arrive Friday, we are here until Monday. If that is our only hiccup though, it will be a blessing, nay a miracle.

So I am off on the marina bus to Preveza town tomorrow for some much needed food shopping and some recreation - might just have to console ourselves with the most wicked backlava ice cream - vanilla with crunchy, honeyed nutty bits that do your teeth in. Yum.

This is the start….

p.s.
We got launched this afternoon, the bits arrived, R fitted and put prop back together and we are now on Preveza town quay. There will be music tonight, probably 'til 4am, Clive & Jane, I only hope it is not the screaming whatsits we had in Olhao!!