Preveza. Mainland Greece. 28th May - Ist June 2013. 38.57:50N 020.45:31E
Tioram 4
Tina & Tony
Sun 30 Jun 2013 17:51
On 28th May we motored into Preveza and moored on the waterfront quay.
The sunny day turned into a windy night with 19 knots gusting 26-29knots,
but with 70 metres of chain out and the anchor well set we were fine despite
the easterly head wind. Regardless of this Tony did an anchor watch during
the night.
The next morning the squalls passed by and normal sunny life returned with a
warm breeze and a sea temp of 20c.
Preveza is a working town with family and commercial life continuing all
year. Most shop keepers live here in Preveza unlike other small island towns
where Athenians only come to their businesses to work in the summer months
leaving empty villages in winter.
We have found the people to be very friendly and welcoming in Preveza this
year.
Last summer in high season it was more mixed. People the world over can be
welcoming or indifferent or happy only when you are spending money with
them, it is of course about people not about nationality. We are always
very polite when we meet people. We can't decide whether the welcome has
been warmer this year because it is early season or if the uncertainty that
Greek people felt for the past 2 years of EU austerity measures has now
passed. The mood is certainly lighter in Preveza.
A man in a cafe walked several streets with me to take me to a carpet rug
shop. Other people have kindly given us directions, information and local
info. Fruit and veg shops have given us local prices rather than clearly
inflated 'tourist rates'.
I asked permission to take some very interesting photos of a gentleman in
his 'off license " shop.
At night the illuminated shop looked like a painting created by an artisan.
George the owner said his father had originally opened the shop but he had
continued in the same way. All of his decorative coloured liquor bottles
were grouped and arranged as a painter would group his palette. The shapes
and colours symmetrically balanced either side of the central counter.
Wines, chocolates and delicacies visually grouped to stimulate visitors to
go into the shop to buy something.
I said to George that I thought he was like an artist creating a painting
which changed and evolved each day and week.
Preveza has many individual shops as well as larger businesses and is a
useful location to find things.
The waterfront quay has a mixture of traditional tavernas and trendy bars
and coffee culture.
The town as Rod Heikell says in his Greek pilot book has grown from ,'an
ugly duckling into a swan'.
There has been a Jazz festival whilst we have been here with live music
sounding out on the evenings, very pleasant entertainment from our cockpit.
Our stay has been very nice and the local people have made us feel welcome.
Photos of....
Preveza town/ waterfront.
George and his off license 'painting'
Love to all
T and T x x
