We like Mesolonghi! We are still here and have been doing some work on the boat and enjoying the town and its attractions.

As far as repairs go: The water tank that sprung a leak has been fixed, the engine has had an oil change, the toiler pump has been changed, the floor has been varnished and both the bicycles have been repaired (essential as the distance into town is a couple of kilometers). The ropes have also been washed, the stays all controlled and adjusted, the genoa repaired and the step behind the steering wheel has also been repaired. Svein has also been called upon to exercise some of his many skills amongst the boats coming here to winter or just passing through.

We have got to know the town a lot better and with the help of some locals have found a very good cheese shop, a laundry (again essential for washing bedding and towels) and some good eating places. We have also tried the local swimming areas and had a mud bath. The mud stank like rotten eggs but one became accustomed after a short time although whether it does any good waits to be seen.

We also were invited to the official opening of the marina complete with religious blessing and a party to follow.

It is very easy to get into a rhythm here as the weather is still very hot (over 30°) and quite humid but the harbour is free (so far) and we have electricity and water. There are a number of boats coming ashore for the winter and also boats coming through each day using the harbour as a stop before going either East or West. We have seen a variety of nationalities (French, Italian,German,English, and Greek) but everyone is very friendly and there is a good atmosphere.

The harbour is still being built up and has not reached its full capacity yet but as this is Greece things are going slowly. Since we have been here we have seen some showers and toilets opened, the water brought to some of the quays but we are still waiting for the electricity to come to the quays although the state electricity company surprised us all by installing 3 pylons, a transformer and connected them all up in just 2 days. It looks as though the next stage is for the harbour to bring it to the quays.

We had some excitement when a firefighting helicopter (looking like a wasp) scooped up water from the canal in order to fight a fire up in the hills. Later that night the fire engine came to the outer perimeter of the harbour as a fire had been started in the bushes but fortunately it was quicky under control and there was no danger to the harbour installation or the boats.

It is our intention now to visit the Corinthian Gulf before coming back here in October to start work on the deck.