Sunday 20 October

16degrees at dawn. Another stunning sunrise. Skip and Jane have already been up some time. Chuck a few remnants of food away. Really have wasted hardly anything this trip. Everyone is very wary of rats, mice, insects, spiders etc getting below for 6 months and ......, so all anchor chains from ground have funnels, and we’ve stuffed rags in all breathers/drains etc. Rags in end of boom too, otherwise house martins nest and difficult decisions needed when go sailing in spring. Disconnect all battery connections. Bromptons/outboard stowed below. Final pack. Skip’s bag way too heavy so to Jane’s annoyance unused code zero unpacked and left on board.Bags lowered. Hatches/windows locked. Moving moment. Well done Dragonfly and crew.Hot chocky/coffee at taverna with half hour to spare. Taxi to bus stop on highway to N of town. Athens to Preveza bus will arrive anytime after 1030. Marina office rang them yesterday, so bus should stop Airport check in not till 1525, so plenty of time. We arrive bus stop quite early, as recommended. Standing soaking up sun beside busy main road surrounded by loads of litter. Half a dozen locals waiting too. Small shelter. Good job not raining, as lots of time spent waiting.Locals get on bus, but not going to Preveza. Other Greek tourists rendezvous with already heavily laden taxi. So just us left now. Doubts begin.Preveza bus eventually arrives 50 mins late, just as beginning to think it was cancelled and need taxi to Preveza.  Just over 16euros each.Highway soon ends. Old main road dreadful – many potholes, and super views. Preveza bus station way out from prom so short taxi ride.  Camp at bench nearest to drop off. Can’t believe the heat and strength of sun. Skip has to spend time in shade under tree. Honestly. And sun is just about 4 months down. More locals begin to promenade. Virtually all wearing trousers, jackets and cardigans – for Greeks it is quite cold!! As noticed in Messolonghi on way to busstop, older generations in black suits/skirts/tops – must have been to church earlier. Lunch - have first/last takeaway souvlaki of voyage  – the ones in pita bread. Decline potatas (chips). V tasty. 1700 - taxi under tunnel to Preveza (Aktion) airport. Didn’t notice but part military –where some Brit aircraft spotters got arrested for taking photos a few years ago. Easy checkin. Just under combined 40kilos. No issue when xraying. Thought bat arial/prop might be unusual. Only concern now is whether handluggage rucksack over 5 kilos – that’s all Thomson allow. Pleasant departure lounge. Board/take off early (handluggage not weighed) just after sunset.

 

Monday 21 October

Thanks for hospitality Sal. Pickup from station much appreciated. Trains all on time to Lympstone. Conveniently bump into Chaz at Exeter Central, who helps ferry bags last few yards to Millvale. 1830 Bass and catch up with other friends at The Globe! Out