April – SY LouLouDitsi

Only 5 days to go!!

After more than 20 years dreaming about sailing around the Med in our own boat, we suddenly find ourselves just 5 days away from flying out to Greece to start our first season living aboard LouLouDitsi! We bought the boat, the flights are booked and it’s really, truly, actually happening. Are we all set? ….. … Continue reading

We’re on our way!

It’s 11.30pm on Saturday 21 April and our flight to Corfu has just taken off! I’ve never yet missed a flight, but it felt like a real possibility today …. Back in February we had a clear plan and lists of all we had to do to be ready for our 1st summer cruise. For … Continue reading

From the Bridal Suite!

At 5am we arrive at the Boutique Hotel Bella Vista in Corfu town. The taxi driver helps heave the bags up the steps and the gentleman on reception says “You must be Caroline?” He briefly explains breakfast timings etc. and tells us the water and wine in the mini bar are complimentary. A few minutes … Continue reading

Our first night aboard

An emotional reunion with MnM as we all remember how well we got on when we met after the sale. We navigate down to Cleopatra boatyard in their motorhome, a very comfortable drive of about 50 miles, Loulouditsi looks fine – the re-rigging, which we commissioned in October, has finally been done (when we chased … Continue reading

Hard at Work on the Hard

Too tired to post yesterday – fell into bed happy and exhausted after a day spent cleaning, unpacking and stowing things away. Do I remember which locker everything’s in? No, of course I don’t! It’s amazing just how big a 40 foot yacht starts to feel as soon as you’ve been aboard a few hours. … Continue reading

Green Hair and a Manicure

Note: This was written 29/4 but I didn’t manage to go online and I don’t know how to change the date (if you can?!) After being behind schedule for several days, we’ve nearly caught up – just as well, given that we launch the day after tomorrow! We spent the best part of a day … Continue reading

And I have walked 500 miles …..

This is a very big boatyard. In my head I sing the Pretenders’ favourite as I rush to the toilet block, back to the boat, climb the ladder and then set off across the site again to get something from the chandlers, forget to collect the now dry washing (2 loads at 5€ each) on … Continue reading

The gremlins are on board

Launch at 8am Weds 2 May was booked months ago. We were so close. But yesterday the gremlins arrived and no job went as it normally does. The 2 showstopper are: 1) the engine isn’t pumping diesel through the new filters. The engine is cooled by seawater, so to test run out of the water … Continue reading