As most of you know, our life tends to be one big roller coaster of a ride and winter this year was no different. Fortunately, I managed to secure a one month contract in 'the big smoke' of Canary Wharf, which actually lasted six months, and I my last day was the Friday before we flew out to Greece. David on the other hand managed to secure a contract with my mother, competing the renovation of what was my grandmother's house - including a new kitchen. His contract also finished on the Friday before we flew out to Greece.
As a friend once said to us 'if your not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space!
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| View from the cockpit, looking aft |
So, onto sunnier climes...well actually it was warmer in the UK when we left that it was in Greece. We still have a quilt and a blanket on our bed and the heater on in the morning. The problem is, being up on a boat stand, there is nothing to protect you from the wind, and when it comes from the west, as it has since we arrived, it blows straight into our boat.
But we mustn't complain, it means that the days are not too hot for doing boat jobs, of which there are many. The most important one was to refit the fuel injection pump, which we had repaired back in the UK. Although we won't know for certain that it has fixed the vibration that only David could hear until we go back into the water (8th May), we do know that the engine works.
Fortunately, our two boxes arrived safely a week after we arrived, meaning that the next job to be one was change the fridge lid to the new one we had made in the UK. What a difference that makes - we didn't realise how scratched and marked the old one was. So, new chopping boards were also purchased to protect the new lid. Also within the box are our new treads for the companionway steps. After a bit of gel coat work on some chips, we (the royal we that is) will be fitting them. Having offered them up onto the steps, they will look fabulous.
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| View looking forward while overhauling mainsail mechanism |
This week's job has been all about overhauling the in-mast roller furling mechanism. So, in his usual manner, David has laid everything out on the top of the boat while he removes, cleans, greases, replaces, mends, fixes and puts it all back together again. So far there have been no cursing words... I'm sure they're residing in his head, just waiting to get out!
Better to get these jobs done before we get launched - that's when we drop things over the edge, never to see them again.
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| Sleeping kittens |
However, the most fun we've had, has to be the kittens we're kitten-sitting at the moment. Yes you read that last sentence correctly. We're looking after two 3 month old kittens. Unfortunately, their mother was killed about a month ago, one of their sisters was run over, and another has been adopted. A friend decided that Stavros and Panos (as they have been named) could not fend for themselves, and so he took them in. He has had to go home for ten days, and so we stepped into the frame. They are just like Crash and Eddie from Ice Age 2.
We've had them three days now - a normal day proceeds with coffee in bed, with two kittens running riot around the bed. Breakfast with two kittens running riot around the dining table, an hour more of two kittens running riot around the boat (all holes have now been closed up with all available cushions), and finally, after food, water and use of the litter tray, two kittens sleep for about 4 hours, cuddled together in their basket. Repeat three times a day. Hours of entertainment and video opportunities. Watch this space...
We are having to decamp them into our cabin during the day while we do boat jobs, so in go all the toys (kitchen roll inserts cut into small pieces and a ball of bubble wrap in masking take. However, today we played with string, which is by far the best toy ever) and they make themselves at home. However, Panos has proven on a couple of occasions that either Candy Crush or Solitaire on the tablet computers are something he likes to play - he taps the screen, knowing that something will happen when he does. Fascinating to watch.
We are having to decamp them into our cabin during the day while we do boat jobs, so in go all the toys (kitchen roll inserts cut into small pieces and a ball of bubble wrap in masking take. However, today we played with string, which is by far the best toy ever) and they make themselves at home. However, Panos has proven on a couple of occasions that either Candy Crush or Solitaire on the tablet computers are something he likes to play - he taps the screen, knowing that something will happen when he does. Fascinating to watch.
Socially, life has begun as it normally does at the beginning of every season. Every day friends arrive from all over the globe, getting their boats ready to sail. So far we've been into town for pizza with friends, been to the disco run by another boating friend, had a boat boot sale, the Sunday afternoon BBQ, friends over for dinner and a birthday, with two more birthdays next week - phew! When will it all end. However, although the evenings are still on the chilly side, the view back through the marina is beautiful.
Well, that's all the news for now. Well keep you informed as progress happens boat launch, returning kittens, actually going sailing, and, as always, please stay in touch.
Michele and Dave
On board Alhambra - Messolonghi Boat Yard
