It's been a while....

 

You should see the dust here, i've spent all morning packing things away and flitting my feather duster around to wipe away the cobwebs. While I’ve been away I’ve not been idle.

Last summer was spent in the Greek Islands. From Athens i skirted my way around numerous history drenched islands down to Crete then back up towards Italy stopping in Raggio. From Raggio we sailed through the Mesena straights where i watched the tuna boats fishing, the pilot sits on top of the mast and steers the boat towards the shoals of tuna.

We passed Stromboli who gave us a passing display of erupting lava, spurting it out into the night sky like an arranged firework display and then depositing the river of red fiery lava down its side towards the waiting sea.

We pressed on in sometimes becalmed waters towards Sardinia.

It wasn't one of the best experiences I’ve had mainly due to my basic transport but as my daughter pointed out to me 'it was character building'.

The coastline of Sardinia was wonderful and we stopped in a bay for the day where i met some of the local marine l;ife while snorkeling.  I flew out of Olbia an a most glorious day headed for family and home.

While back in the UK i spent time freshening up the house for new tenants and helping my son Ben install a new kitchen.

Emma also had the pleasure of my company where i kept her and Jamie plied with cup cakes, i was practising different recipes in anticipation of her wedding in 2012.

I've now returned to Greece and i'm installed in my cabin on Wild bird in     Lefkas.

Outside it's a bit blowy and has been raining but life is good again. I was thrown right into the thick of things.

I arrived late on Thursday and at 10.30 am Friday morning i found myself on my back thrusting my pelvis towards the ceiling, it was the local stretch and tone group, this was followed by an hour of step clas' then a bike ride back to the boat for poached egg on spinach.

That evening i was introduced to the group of live aboards in the marina and a nice bunch they seem to be.

Carol had hired a car for a few days so we went off to explore a Ghost town up in the hills. After climbing for what seemed ages we eventually came across it. These derelict housed have the most amazing view over Lefkas' in the distance at approximately nine miles away we could see. Corfu.

Carol has been on a health drive while i was away and her aim is to complete a half marathon when she returns to the Uk early next year. So not to feel like a real couch potato i’ve joined in the get fit regime.

Yesterday was a six mile cycle ride  around the lagoon  followed by a brisk walk around the marina in the afternoon doing a treasure hunt organised by some of the Yachties.

We didn’t win but enjoyed the searching for clues.

Today it was unpack some moreof my stuff  put it away and a bike ride into town and look around the shops.

Lefkas is a lovely town and although it has a modern feel it’s very much a traditional Greek working town everyone is so friendly and welcoming. I

I'd found it hard to find good fresh produce in the summer but here the food is local and fresh.

Bread shops stuffed to the gunnels and producing a wonderful freshly baked bread smell as you go by.

Fish mongers selling the usual Greek delicacies and fruit and veg stalls well laid out, no sausages and rice diet for me from now on.

Comments

[Kay Williams]

I haven't checked Carol's blog for a while but having just read it I'm very glad to read you're back on board Wildbird again. Tell her that David has all but given up half marathons in his old age (he is the very spit of Dr Rowan Williams these days). Hope you both have a very happy Christmas - a lot warmer than here.