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Sunday, 19th May 2013 Sami, Kefalonia
Red Rain and Fried Batteries - and Birthdays
We are launched and on our way. A few minor problems, like the boat batteries are flakey - 5 years old and a lot of use. One in particular is shot, so after launching and spending one night on Preveza town quay, we returned to the boatyard (on Richard's birthday) to buy 4 new domestic batteries and R spent his birthday morning fitting them. Fun stuff. This after rain the previous night that somehow left everything red. Red Rain. They called it here Libyan rain or Gaddaffi's tears. Difficult to shift and the boat looks a bit odd. We need some submarine practice to clean it off. Prophetic words - that to come.
A good birthday nonetheless, supported by lovely sticky Greek baklava, sweet round things and wicked chocolate cake. And sea bass barbecued to perfection. It's not all problems then!
We have sauntered down familiar spots, stopping at Levkas, Tranquil Bay, Nidri; Vathi on Odysseus's Ithaca and now Sami on Kefalonia. The forecast for the trip to Vathi was about 5 knots of breeze, but with more wind out in the western Ionian. What we got was a F6/7 on the nose, so a rollicking, close-hauled, choppy beat down to Ithaca. Two reefs in the main and genoa also double reefed. For those who know our sailing, that is saying something! R does not reef lightly. Submarine practice achieved, decks clean as a result. And a hatch not fastened meant a huge dump of seawater in the saloon, wind got under it and opened it just as a huge wave crashed over the top. That taught us! All now rinsed down and dried out with no permanent damagae.
A sociable time also - we have met up again with Silent Wings (Colin and Shirley) and also Free Spirit (Viv and Alan) with shared drinks and plans. Also had drinks aboard HR53 Breeze in Nidri. That boat is beautiful, its owners plus dog generous and extremely experienced. It is also huge, two of our boats could fit inside! Oh well - we are very small, but perfectly formed.....
We are heading off to Poros shortly, with the aim of crossing to Katakolon on the mainland tomorrow - about a 40nm passage. It is from there that we hope to finally catch the train to visit Olympia, home of the original Olympic games. Those who have followed our saga so far will know that we tried to reach it last year, but failed due to storms and then lack of time. Better luck this time.
Hoping all our sailing friends are setting out safely in all directions for their chosen cruises - fair winds to you all. Love to family and friends. Next entry from Olympia...
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