38:21.7N 21:24.9E

Tuesday 15 October

Still on pontoon berth with awesome views of mountains behind saltmarsh flats to N and E and mountains other side of Gulf of Patras to S. After bit of rain overnight another gorgeous cloudless hot sunny day. Washed and folded duck, ran freshwater thro the outboard, Jane cleaned some fenders etc etc – all at very gentle pace with plenty of sitting in sun reading inbetween. Went to music night at marina taverna. Interesting. Mainly Brits and French – get up and do own thing. Mainly the liveaboard thro winter gang. Some could play/sing – others not quite so good-still learning. ALL need glasses to read music/words! Steve Best would excel here! Frenchies  v humorous – one sounds just like Allo Allo’s Rene. Spaniard on keyboard looks like farmer Owen (from Vicar of Dibley) without beard. Have to award victory to the French.

 

Wednesday 16 October

Supposed to be craned out today. After 4 days of sun weather breaks. Megga thunderstorm and torrential rain first thing. Huge sudden squalls from nothing– boats afloat really heeling over, fenders popping up and out. Someone recorded 53 knts, another said 60+. Just stay below and peer out windows! One pontoon parts from main quay (not ours). Craning for day postponed. Storm drifts off, clears up late afternoon and sun reappears. All calm again. Do trip on Bromptons.  On way back to marina find Neilson flotilla tied up on town quay on way from Agean (other side of Corinth canal) to Nidri for winter. Came in yesterday to shelter from imminent storm. Forecast of loads of wind outside for Thurs so they have to stay another day.

 

Thursday 17 October

Yard seems to crane Mon, Wed, Fri, so Thurs a spare day. Sunny and windy day. Despite strong f4/5 in marina, less where crane hoists so they go ahead. Difficult exit from pontoon berth for D`fly in reverse as strong crosswind pushing us against big ketch to port. Use pontoon cleat and sternline from next (empty) berth to stbd to warp out as far as poss, and upwind a bit, then just go for it. Phew. Just manage to avoid D`fly’s keel wing hooking downwind yacht’s bowline.Wait under crane for an hour, in sun. Meet lady CA member with Westerly – bought for Col Hallum, who lived in Lympstone. D`fly lifted, put on transporter, another crane to lower. Quite sad seeing D`fly high n dry creeping along quay behind tractor.Takes 1.25 hrs as unusual keel arrangement Gregory and team excellent and most helpful. Chock us down really low. Safe and sound for next squalls. Next time crane out will come alongside for one lift straight to winter spot. Delighted with position Wonderful views astern to E out over marina, saltmarshes and mountains beyond. Can see lots of entertaining craning activity. Odd there’s no motion anymore.Looking straight at loos a few m ahead, but means can get free electricity from shaver socket in gents! (and not far to dash at night.) Big 53ft Bootlegger (Super Maramu 2000 ketch from IoM) lifted out alongside. Has 4 big stainless lift points so long hawsers and 4 BIG shackles  and out she comes. No need for strops. Lots of passers by interested inD`fly’s keel shape/arrangement – two think our keel has fallen off and we are out for major repairs! Change oil. Go for exploring bike ride. Find Gate of the Exodus and Garden of Heroes. On 12 April 1826, after being besieged by Ottomans for a year, 9,000 Greeks broke out to escape leaving elderly and infirm and team to blow up the town. But most escapees were slaughtered by Albanian mercenaries when they reached the mountains. There’s a spectacular annual festival in April to remember the event when about 8,000 Greeks come from all over country in national costume. Must find date for 2014 and see if can get back for it.

 

Friday 18 October

Clear cold night. Had to dig out blanket. Cabin temp 13degrees at dawn. Magnificent sunrise 0750 dead astern.Lots of pinks and reds. Cloudless. V clear air. Soon gets hot. Burns up heavy dew. Engineer arrives to remove troublesome starter motor (apparently 3 Yanmars in marina have this issue) and prop, to take home (need more power, especially astern). Jane does lots of washing/drying, skip continues to run thro list of “jobs before leaving”. Only today and tomorrow left. Pack bags –awfully heavy. Suddenly 1900 – only one day left Shower, then ferried (foc) into town to marina taverna’s other restaurant with Bootlegger’s Jackie and Frank. Food OK. Suddenly find its nearly midnight.  Now v cold, and didn’t fancy joining youngsters for some modern form of lively line dancing in Avant Garde. Apparently they had a super band last week (more our scene)– must explore again in spring. Restaurant pays for taxi back to marina. Dig out HWB. First time since French canals.

 

Saturday 19 October

15degrees and cracking sunrise again. OMG – we are leaving this for forecast of rain, rain and rain at home. Busy day on final jobs. Clean bilges/heads, clean engine grime from transom and polish (so looks smart to all passing by over next 6 months), lower boom, fit and lash sun awning over to act as rain tent (as have leaky hatch when torrential rain). Needs to withstand possible 60knt winds and winter gales as won`t be about to retie knots! Many mozzis appear at dusk. Light spiral thingy and place in companionway (definition – for Admirals and Arseholes!)Smell drifts below. Mozzies flee. Last Greek beer and tasty souvlaki (the kebab one) (indoors!) at marina taverna. Cool and mozzis about.Joined by Bootlegger (who leave at 0700 tomorrow) and recently arrived ?Perfect Lady. Learn some of leftover peanut butter and other provisions Bootlegger donated to friendly Italian liveaboard subsequently seen in bin! Awesome pink full moon. No farewell big session as still have jobs for tomorrow before taxi at 0950. HWB filled again.