29th April

We were marking time today. The town is deserted and hardly any restaurants are open. This morning was cold and overcast so we decided to stay another day. This afternoon was brighter so we walked through town along the front and then back through the almond trees. Lucinda continued polishing the chrome.


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28th April

Last night was very windy. Imagine strained at the twin bow lazy lines, swaying and yawing against the creaking ropes. Several times the plastic disk fell out of the hatch above Lucinda's head jerking us awake. I imagined the lines parting and the boat being dashed against the quay. We awoke exhausted to find all was tranquil. We did the last of the jobs, went shopping and walked to a hill above the town. We're going out to eat.


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27th April

The forecasted strong winds arrived with overcast skies and a drop in temperature. We wore long trousers and fleeces while doing the shopping in the morning. By early afternoon the weather had improved so we took a long walk along the shore and then inland through almond and olive groves. Rain is expected later this week and I'm expecting a parcel of boat bits from England so we'll stay here for a few more days.

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25th and 26th April

The last major task was inflating the dinghy. We did that and walked into town. We discovered a supermarket that was much closer than the one we had been using, and a Chinese emporium; success.
On Sunday we went out into the lagoon. The outboard engine worked well although the dinghy floor will need refitting. Otherwise all seems set. We continue with Game of Thrones series 4.


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24th April

Max and Diana's dogs survived the night locked in their car. They had a walk and the rest of us made a leisurely start out into the lagoon to give our visitors a taste of the nautical life. All systems worked well and we anchored for lunch before returning to bid them farewell.

23rd April

Here she is; rebuilt passarelle, recovered helm seat and polished hull. Today was spent putting the three sails on. The remaining major task is to inflate the dinghy. Max and Diana have just turned up. They are staying the night, their first time onboard.

22nd April

This morning was overcast with drops of rain. By the afternoon it had brightened up and, dressed in shorts and wellies, we had washed the outside of the boat. We launched, she floated, the engines worked forwards and reverse, we moored in the marina. How could I ever think something would go wrong?

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21st April

It takes considerable forethought to limit the number of beers or evening cups of tea. Night time toilet trips involve getting out onto the dusty deck, descending a rickety ladder and tracking across a gloomy yard to the toilet block. Today the propellers were reattached (crossed fingers the right way round), the sail drives were anti fouled and we continued to put the boat back together. We can't do too much until we're back in the water which will be tomorrow.

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We're back

In our bags were propeller blades, life buoy lights, gaskets, charts and pilot books, and two packs of Bran Flakes. Imagine is ashore, a bit dusty but otherwise fine. We have a bit of anti fouling, some greasing and polishing to do and then we hope to launch on Wednesday.

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Test and warning

This is a test to myself that my blog is still active, and a warning that Lucinda and I head off tomorrow to Imagine. I'm expecting her to be dirty and tired. I'm hopeful that there is still power in the batteries topped up over the winter by the solar panels. I anticipate that there will be a unanticipated problems. I'll be relieved to get on board and find that rats have not gained entry. I'm hopeful, but only mildly, that the work we asked the yard to do last September has been carried out. I got an email on Thursday from the yard asking me the location of the passarelle they were meant to have repaired, and that followed an earlier email saying they had it in the workshop. All will become clearer.

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