After saying goodbye to all our friends in Sandefjord we boarded the train heading for Oslo airport. An effortless journey and after just under 3 hours we were in our hotel for the night. A delicious early supper and we were ready to call it a day as we had a very early start on 12th.

We were up at 3h30 and after a good breakfast we caught the bus back to the airport for our 6am flight. Our new suitcase has now a bespoke marking which should make it easy to spot.

After just over 3 hours we were back on Greek soil and headed for the bus station to catch the bus to Kalamata. We were eventually on board round 16h30. A long day but good to be back. We found a few problems that have to be solved before we can leave – the new solar panel regulator is not working and it meant that the electricity had gone off whilst we were away. We are not taking any risks again so a new one in on order and hopefully it will arrive before Tour departure. The boat was also full of red sand which was really difficult to get rid of.

Caryn has also started knitting the summer poncho that she bought on line from her friend Anna Merete who has started an online knitting company Varmdesign.no. The wool is alpaca and the colours are fantastic. Only two more to know when the poncho is finished.

It is time now to get ready for our next departure. We have visited the market and Svein has been busy moving the navigation screen up to the cockpit and installing the AIS and GPS. He also installed some rails in our head to that the bottles do not fall over when we sail. Just wish the kitchen was also ready but hopefully that will be done soon.

We had a delicious lunch with Annette and Jean Marie  who were joined by Di. Before lunch we drove up to her “house” as she, in fact, lives in a Yurt. High on a hill top with a wonderful view over Kalamata bay this is a magnificent setting. The plot houses 4 yurts together with a kitchen building and another for the bathroom.  It is surrounding by olive groves and flowers in blossom everywhere. It is ecologically sustainable with solar panels, generator and rainwater. What a fantastic idea for a home.

A final trip to the beautician for Caryn for  her mani/pedi and then the visit to the local AB for the last minute food items and we are ready to leave tomorrow.  Svein’s final task today was to find and install a replacement solar panel regulator as the newly installed one was not working!!!!!!

We shall head round the tips of the Peloponnese and head for the Cyclades.