31:28.6N 21:25.1E

Tuesday 22 April Flight London to Athens, taxi to Messolonghi. All’s well!

Boiling hot in Athens – first 2014 day for shorts at Messolonghi, apparently

Usual rush saying bye bye to friends and family, and packing. Even tho have 23kgs baggage allowance with BA needed to book a third bag to fit all boat bits, both old and new props, t bags, marmite etc. Nice to stay a night with Jules. 0415 taxi to airport not so nice. Excellent flight with BA (Heathrow to Athens), including free in flight breakfast. Unexpected as not provided by our normal carriers. Pre-booked taxi waiting for us at arrivals, so load bags and to Messolonghi Marina via Athens to pick up a lady and child. Hence fare only 60 euros each. A snip. Had planned to recky bus route/changes, but decided too many heavy bags this time.

Driver in a hurry, playing chicken on the two lane main road along S coast of Corinth Gulf, overtaking as vehicles pull aside on to hard shoulder - and hopefully no one doing the same coming tother way! Recross Gulf to N coast via spectacular Rion suspension bridge (completed 2004-longest cable stayed bridge in world at 2,252m) and on to familiar Messolonghi Marina. Dropped off by transom. Quick walk around – D`fly seems fine. Open hatches – all’s well below too. Two bucket fulls (presumable rain water worked its way in) in bilges. All else dry and mould free – no sign of rat droppings or insect infestation. A relief as first time have left her unvisited for 6 months.

Head for marina taverna for beer and souvlaki!