Already nearly one month since the last update. Time is flying but we have been very busy.

As we were expecting strong North winds we moved across to Kardamena (on Kos). It was also logical to leave the boat there during our trip to Kalamata as we had been unable to get any reliable information about ferries. We consequently booked flights to Athens. On our arrival we hired a car with “Charisma” and visited all the shops so that we were well stocked. We also found the padding for the seats whilst “Charisma” ordered the stainless steel for their targa. Lidl and Carrefour (the new one beside the airport) and the local Chinese shop were well plundered so that our cupboards were once more fully stocked.

We duly left for Kalimata to see Laurent and Anne Laure on their new Venezia “Catanelo” and to attend the christening of their two boys Antoine and Arthur. After an interesting journey by taxi, plane and bus we duly arrived and starting catching up on the news. We had not seen each other for one year. We spent a great deal of time in Kalamata eating and drinking. There was a memorable BBQ of lamb as a christening lunch and this was held in the garden of the house Anne Laure’s parents have rented on the outskirts of the town. A lovely spot with the house in an olive grove and the beach and the sea across the road. We also had a second BBQ there with 10 kilos of beef a couple of days later once everyone had recovered from the christening. Pictures

The christening was held in an Orthodox Church that is lent to the Catholics once a month so we assisted as both the baptism of the two boys and a mass that was conducted in both Greek and French. It was conducted by 3 priests and turned out to be an interesting experience.

We were very lucky with the weather in Kalamata to such an extent that some of the more hardy ones went swimming after our beef BBQ. The boys also played football and rugby on the sand whilst the ladies relaxed and enjoyed the sunshine.

Our return plans were changed a little when we discovered that the French contingency would be returning to France on Wednesday and Anne Laure and Laurent would not be returning to Kalamata until the Friday. Consequently we took a bus back to Athens and met everybody at the airport. After the goodbyes Anne Laure, Laurent,Svein and Caryn went on a shopping spree in the stores next to the airport. Leroy Merlin and Ikea were duly received some of our hard earned cash. It was fun wandering round the stores as it had been quite some time since our last visit to such a place. After having exhausted ourselves in the shops we headed for the hotel in Porto Rafti that we were treating ourselves to for the night and spent time in the jacuzzi restoring our weary bodies. Fit once again we dined in a superb Italian restaurant where the food was excellent as was the service and the view over the bay. Once we had eaten we returned to the hotel for a good night’s sleep. The next morning, after a substantial breakfast, we were driven back to the airport where we said au revoir to Anne Laure and Laurent and caught the plane to Kos.

Back on the boat we found everything in order and were glad to be back. We spent the next day in Kardamena and returned to Nisyros on Saturday.

Once back in Pali harbour we buckled down to finishing the seats so the padding was fixed and then the sewing machine was brought out and the covers were fitted. We managed to get everything done just before the arrival of “Laerke” who had returned to Leros and sailed down to join us. Svein has also installed the targo on “Charisma”. So all in all it has been a very eventful time.  Pictures

Our solar panels and wind generator on on their way but have still not reached us. Once they arrive it will be a case of installing them and we shall be ready for the new sailing season. Our plans are not finalised yet but we will be meeting up with “Sybaris” at the end of April and will take things from there.

After a week of heavy North winds again the weather is now warming up and it is nearly time to start the swimming season again. The island is truly in bloom with a wide variety of plants and flowers. Pictures