Back to Preveza, prepare to launch

chrisandjane aboard Liveloula
Chris Cooke
Sat 9 Apr 2016 05:05

38:57.0N 20.45.0E

 

Tuesday 5 April to Saturday 9 April Fly to Corfu, ferry and hire car to Preveza. Antifoul, polish and launch

Mostly sunny days, cold nights (HWB needed)

Tuesday 5th  0555 flight from Gatwick, quick taxi to Corfu ferry port, not much waiting for next sailing to Igoumenitsa, trundle to car hire, and eventually find the right road (should have brought a map!) heading S along coast to Preveza. Hot (26) and windless. More goats and dogs around than traffic. Quick intended detour to quay at Ligia to fill up water bottles. (Been here on D`fly a few times, not yet ventured in with L`ula.) SM stop on way in to Prev, thro underwater tunnel (3euros) and to Ionion boatyard. All well on board after five and a half months away. Hook up electricity, beans on toast.

Wednesday 6th  Heavy overnight dew soon burns off.Hot sun all day. Jane takes minibus to Prev for more stores, skip returns car to airport Avis base, cycles back, first coat of antifoul. Simon arrives to fit bow plate; anchor chain so rusty decide to order replacement (60m 10mm). Nibbles and beer at Cleopatra. Marina completely empty – rumours why! Not paid tax, didn`t have proper planning consents, not sorted mooring chains and lines yet. All very Greek as plenty of time over winter and boats now being launched and want to stay.Noisy frogs on way back. Cheese and bread.

Thursday 7th No dew. E wind, hazy with low grey cloud, but no rain. Second coat antifoul, polish hull up to blue lines. Souvlakis at Cleopatra for supper.

Friday 8th Hazy again. Rain shower 1430. Simon arrives with new rudder sheaves and anchor chain. Skip polishes remainder of hull and gets engine ready. Launch 1515 (all was ready half hour before!). Hose off all winter grime. Try new genoa – luff a tad too long. Stay in launch bay for night. Frank and Sue pay brief visit by car, just arrived having booked apartment in Preveza for 11 days whilst getting Bootlegger ready ashore in Cleopatra.Strikes and fog at Corfu so F diverted to Athens. Beer and spag bol on board.

Sat 9th Move to windward berth on launch bay as others going in today. Try main – it fits OK. Seek out and meet sailmaker who takes genoa. More boat washing and scrubbing. Many fenders as NW builds during day, but dies late evening. Supper at Panos with F&S, after “listening” to BBC word commentary on Chiefs losing to Sale in European cup ¼ final, by one point with last kick of game. Gutted.

JPEG image

JPEG image

JPEG image

JPEG image

JPEG image

JPEG image

JPEG image