Monday 26^th April – Messolonghi

38:21.686N 21:25.005E

Our neighbours, a large Amel 54, were due to be hauled out this morning ready for scrubbing and anti-fouling.  The cradle had been dragged into position just behind Pyxis yesterday but the lift had been delayed due to the wind.  We were feeling concerned that firstly they were going to try to lift the boat directly from its berth when the wind was already getting up from the east, and secondly that our new cockpit enclosure was going to get splattered with slime and old antifoul when they pressure washed the hull once it was out.

We raised this concern with Yiannes yesterday who said that they would put a screen around to prevent any splattering of the boats where we are.  We thought this had risk attached to it and were up early with a contingency plan to take the cockpit enclosure down.

Luckily it wasn’t a problem after all; when Yiannes arrived this morning he came straight over and asked the skipper to move his boat around to the wall where many of the other boats on the hard have been hauled out, phew!  Much easier for everyone we think, certainly for the crane driver.

Richard went over and helped our neighbours come alongside ready for their lift and then stayed on to help the folks of one of the other boats on the hard who were being lifted back in.  It was quite a social event by all accounts.

We then headed off into town for some shopping.  Richard was allowed a chaperoned visit to the chandlery for the sole purpose of getting a new Greek courtesy flag, the existing one has shredded over the winter.  When we got back we put a few more fasteners in the cockpit enclosure.

This evening we were invited, along with Anna and Charlie on Star Dance, for drinks with Bernie and Dudley on Orpheus.  It was great to all meet up for a chat and compare cruising notes.  Chip, their little puppy, also provided lots of entertainment.