New Boat

You would not believe how difficult it is proving to spend money! We have travelled to Fleetwood, just north of Blackpool, to view a 41 foot cat. 'Has potential' as the brokerage ads put it. 'Needs a load of bloody work' I say.

We then went off to the Algarve to look at two hot contenders. These were relatively new boats - a year or so old. Boat 1, despite being so young, had the air of neglect about it. The 3-month old milk in the fridge didn't help. Boat 2, same model and same age, was tidier but somehow had the 'smell' of shoddy. The whole galley was coming away from the bulkhead - and this in a boat that's barely left the factory. Either the galley had moved (nasty) or was never installed correctly in the first place (worrying). So, we said a polite 'no thanks' to both and enjoyed the sun as a consolation prize.

Last Thursday we went to the Hamble to see a monohull (yes, I know - traitors and all that) and although this was a solid boat built using traditional skills and materials it looked kinda dated. Well, it was 20 years old so it had every right to look a bit sedate but Mrs. T. wants a 'shiny boat'.

We now have two more boats in our sights. A brand new 36 footer (she certainly qualifies as shiny) but she may also be a bit Ikea! Also there's a 10 year old Moody - but bigger than we have been considering but potentially interesting.

Our quest for a cat has been thwarted. They either leave a lot to be desired on build quality or if you opt for older and better build quality they look dated. Of course the answer is to have one built to spec. Discovery do a nice 50-footer, bit it would empty our pockets and some!

Time is running out. The season is now underway and at this rate we'll get a boat just in time to haul her out of the water for the winter.

Maybe we should explore golf, or bowls, or ping pong. Not sure Pringle jumpers are me, don't feel quite ready to don white shirt and trousers and sup cups of tea with Derby and Joan and ping pong is far too fast.

OK, pass Yachting Monthly and let's have another look through the ads. There must be a boat somewhere with our name on it.

Snow, Glorious Snow!

Not a lot to say that the pictures don't.

This is the 'main road' through the village. We spotted a deer attempting to get through but cars gave up long ago. Postie did make it earlier on but said we were his last drop. The paper'boy' braved the conditions to deliver today's news but we are now expecting to be cut off for a few days. Pass the wine.

Merry Christmas.

Dolphins galore

In July this year I helped friend Steve Sweet take his 29 foot sail boat from St. Malo to Bordeaux. Great trip, despite the two days of fog, but the highlight was being entertained by a pod of dolphins which followed us for fifteen minutes. Their skill, ability, playfulness and amazing agility had us captivated.

It's a Wrap

Now, you may not be able to tell from the photograph but it's tipping down. No, I'm wrong, it's not tipping down, it is a continuous, torrential, cats 'n dogs deluge. Six inches fell in a few hours, we know that because that's how much there was in the dinghy. Thunder and lightning added to the drama which sounds even more threatening from the inside of a small boat. Luckily we had warning of the storm (gold star for the forecasters) and so decided to stay on the berth. The alternative plan was to sail close to the Albanian coast (it's less than a mile away in places) so the 'play safe' option proved to be a smart move. We had just one day to go before returning home so a bit disappointing that our last day should be so damp but we can not complain having had one very wet and one dampish day out of three weeks. The rest of the time it was sunny and hot.

Mrs. T made full use of her new toy, an e-book which means she can now carry the entire contents of the Bodleian in her handbag.

We enjoyed out three weeks back in the Ionian. We discovered some new bays, new harbours, new anchorages and some new tavernas - although the boring, predictability of Greek food does leave a bit to be desired. Greek cuisine has yet to discover sauces so there's a fortune to be made by the first person to import creme fraiche.

We returned to the Ionian not sure if we wanted to buy a catamaran or monohull. Our three weeks helped us to decide. it's a cat we are after. But we have also discovered you can't tell a boat from a quick look and test sail; you need to live on board for a week or so. So, to that end, we now plan to charter a Fontaine Pajot (French cat for the non sailors) either in the Caribbean or Thailand - which is where you have to go in the winter to get some sun.

Pass the charts and pilots - time to plan the next trip.

Platerias

Platerias is located at the end of a west-facing bay which provides some stunning sunsets. Our boat is thr fifth mast from the left - the small one. our next door neighbours are some jolly Russins with a 53 foot Beneteau - which they almost parked on the jetty in an unconventional moooring move.

The town was quiet, lots of tavernas and bars but most empty. It's the end of the season. It was here we incurred our only mooring fee in three weeks - 3 Euro, and another 3 Euro for water. You can't tie up in Cowes for an hour for that! Our plan now is to to head north towards Gouvia in preparation for our return. The destination will be dictated by the weather - as ever - but with storms in the forecast we may curtail our last day sailing and go straight for the berth.

What's a Grecian urn?

Oh the old ones are the best....but there's a twist.

With the Greek economy in tatters, Europe, or more specifically Germany, bailing them out you'd expect gloom and doom to dominate. But not a bit of it, or to be more precise, not a lot.

We have spotted a few trends. Fisrtly there are lots of Germans here no doubt trying to work out where their money has gone and also trying to get some of it back, if not in Euros then in kind.

We also reckon that one of the least employable skills in Greece is accountancy. As far as we can detect no one keeps records, receipts are non-existent and credit cards are a figment of the imagination, they clearly do not exist - cash is king.

We were told by a Canadian investment banker that 48% of Greeks in work are employed by the state in one form or another. That leaves 52% supporting the 48% and if what we were told is true, and that is Greeks are as keen to pay taxes as is a sprat to lure a mackerel, then it's no surprise the Greek economy is in a mess. The black market thrives, those in work dodge paying taxes, and half the country works for the state.

No wonder they don't look quite so glum..... what's a Grecian earn? Who knows - certainly not the Greek taxman.

Eastenders in Greece

We tied up in Sivota anticipating the famous annual regatta and found ourselves moored next to the cast of Eastenders - without the television programme's sophistication and elegance. The racing boats arrived during the afternoon and evening and gradually the harbour filled up. The band struck up and two skinheads struck eachother, resulting in blood on the quayside. Cowes was not like this. However despite the unpleasant behaviour of the youths and the casulty of a girl sprawlwd across the jetty thanks to an excess of alcohol it was a pleasant and entertaing evening. We met up with Tony and Gill of Note Bene who we met in June.Nice meal, excellent company and an entertaining time. We are off to Meganissi now - a quiet anchorage.