With Mike & Debbie onboard we enjoyed a 10 day holiday. No maintenance (aside from routine engine checks,) no project planning, minimal domestic chores. We ate out most nights. A welcome rest. But aren’t we on holiday all the time? I hear you ask. Well, yes and no.
We’re not working now, so every day’s a holiday. And we’re lucky enough to be living our dream: on our own boat in the beautiful Greek islands. But this isn’t a 2 week holiday with enough clothes to last until we can fling them in the washing machine. We’re living out here for the summer, so all the daily tasks of living are the same as everywhere else: shopping, cooking, washing up, cleaning, laundry etc. We don’t eat out every night. Boats have a lot of systems that need more maintenance than houses, we have to monitor our levels of water, diesel and petrol for the outboard and know when we have to go offshore to empty our holding tanks. We have to watch the weather and move the boat accordingly. It’s a fabulous way of life, but we have to consciously take time off – to sail, swim, read or just chill. Much the same as at home. So having visitors is a welcome reason to have a holiday from some chores, at least. The weather, of course, always needs watching.
With strong NW winds forecast we spent a pleasant, relaxed 3 days in Preveza, rather than bashing up the coast. A 10 minute walk along the quay brings you to a small beach with beds and umbrellas, good swimming and a beer before walking back. There’s a good choice of restaurants for dinner and we enjoyed long, late breakfasts in the Metropolis cafe on the front.
On Thursday the wind had moderated so we headed north to 2 Rock Bay for a quiet night at anchor. The next day, after a swim, we continued to Valtos for a couple of nights in Parga, including another visit to Flora’s bikini shop, this time for Debbie. As usual, great meals at To Kantouni and a lovely welcome from Tassos, Stamatia and Nikos. Yiannis, who runs the water taxi for boats from Valtos to Parga, looks fitter and healthier than ever.
On Sunday we crossed over to Mongonissi on Paxos – very light winds, so no sailing – and anchored with long stern lines to the rocks. It’s a lovely bay for swimming with one bar and one taverna, which serves good food. They often have Greek dancing when there’s a flotilla in – there wasn’t, so we missed out on that, but it made for quieter evenings!
All too soon it was time to head back to Preveza for Mike & Debbie’s flight out. We had a lovely sail for the last hour or so under Genny, making 6.1kts SOG.
So long, shipmates! Bon Voyage!