Susie sets sail

Humbling....

I'll be updating my blog in the next few days but in the meantime i came across this and wanted to share it with those of you who read my ramblings.

Sometimes you see and hear something so moving and this was one of those times.

One day a son asks his father: "Daddy, will you run the marathon with me?" The father answers yes and both run their first marathon together. 

One day, the son asks his father if he wants to run the marathon with him again and the father answers yes. They both run the marathon together again. 

Then one day the son asks his father: "Dad, will you run the Ironman with me?" (the Ironman is the toughest...it requires a 4km swim, 180km biking and 42km running). The father says yes again. 

This all sounds easy...but check this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBjR1-0GVkI

 

 

 

Keep it up girl.....

If

IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling.

Must have equality here so I’m sure old Rudy won’t mind me adding

You'll be a Woman, my daughter!

I love this poem and was reminded of it today so thought I’d include it in today's blog update especially as I don't have a huge amount top say, now that makes a change I hear some say.

I’ve spent a few weeks getting to grips with my camera and almost threw the towel in. All this mathematical calculating with F stops, lens sizes,  apertures, light, and noise distortion had me in a whirl.

I then chatted to someone who was a royal photographer and who told me that cameras have Auto for a reason. Providing you are taking good pictures let the camera do the work until you have the confidence, to use some of the manual facilities when  you become more familiar with it.

He was right. I’ve been out and about and taking pics in low light using my tripod and remote shutter release.

I did take this pic, it was a students day at the art center on the marina, it was great fun, rapping bands and young people i really enjoyed it.

I’ve been doing boat jobs and at the moment in the middle of making a new passerelle as ours has disintegrated however, rain has stopped play today.

I'm keeping up with the fitness regime and some days been to the gym twice and walked wobbly legged back to the boat, and collapsed. I'm also getting to grips with the step classes and although I’ve little delicate finess I'm starting to not only remember the routines but I'm enjoying it.............I’m doomed. Does this mean I'm going to turn into a Jane Fonda, Rosemary Connelly, Cher-alike. OH YES!......oh no!

The usual round of social gatherings have been happening. Film night on Wednesday's only I’ve seen them all except for this Wednesdays, The Black Swan. Tonight it’s bowling again, I enjoyed it last time and did very well, lets see if that was just a fluke.

The wind here when it gets up is a force to be reckoned with. I rock and role some nights and it’s like an orchestra tuning up with all the halyards bashing against masts, in in-mast furler’s rattling ‘cause some have yet to put their sails on. Ropes squeak and pontoons groan and my Cornish flag sounds like a drum beating as it gets battered about. It would seem my flag is acting as a wind direction and speed indicator to many of the live aboards here. It was on such a day I had an accident, it was bound to happen.

I’d been for my weekly shop and had a bag on the basket at the back and a bag on each handlebar. Wind on the nose I attempted to cycle over the steep bridge but alas it wasn’t to be. Just at the brow the wind combined with my heavy load brought me to a halt and I just like a cartoon fell to the right still sitting on the bike. Result, two cracked eggs a grazed knee and elbo and an embarrassed look on my face.

Why is it that the first thing you do when you fall over, off or under is to look around to make sure no one saw you? And if someone does come to your aid you say, I'm fine, smile and make a quick getaway when actually you want to cry out ‘I want my mum’.

I remember as a kid I always had scuffed knees and was so proud on those few occasions that I had no scabs, grazes or large plasters covering the gouges. I remember my mum would dress me up all pretty, hair in ribbons, frock she’s made and cardie she’s knitted but the tom boy evidence was there, right on my knee and sometimes the left one too.

See no knees, i guess they had bandages or plasteres festooned on them. I do remember the Donkey was called Susan.... How embarrasing, who names a Donkey Susan?

Have to go times a rocking, I'm now i'm off to walk/jog 6k .....I must be nuts................................

 

So i don't forget

the old British weather we've had some heavy rain/snow/thunder and wind over the past few days just to make me feel at home. Although the snow was on the higher peaks of the mountain range its freezing tempretures filtered down to us at sea level. What with that and the wind chill factor I had to dig out my scarf, hat and gloves.

Monday was a wash out however; Pam and Keith had the use of a car on Tuesday and with finer weather forecast it was a great opportunity to climb into the mountains armed with cameras to take some pics of the waterfall which should be at its peak.

As it happened it had peaked too much and we were unable to get to the top of the falls as the path was flooded. Instead we had to make do with the lesser falls lower down.

I've been hoping for ages to experiment on freezing water so to speak with my Camera. Armed with my little note book with carefully written instruction I set up my tripod. I started fiddling with my f stops and shutter speed until eventually I captured the desired effect.

With the high cliffs sheltering us  the light wasn't good for pgotograpy. Although I’ve worked out the correct setting, none of my pics were good enough to upload. Feeling deflated and still wanting to get some good shots in we drove further up the mountain until we found a viewing spot. Again tripods out and we were off, this time we had the perfect view.

What do you think?

Isn't the view to die for.

Such a shame the tree spoils it, reminder to oneself for future expeditions.... take along a chainsaw.

Oh how I wish I had a wide angled lens too still, I took several panoramic shots and can stitch them together in Photo shop.

It's not all play here, I’d decided to join Pam in the step class at the marina gym in the evening. Sixty minutes of pain and strain, my coordination seems to be a thing of the past, still, I kept going.

I think while we have a gym on the doorstep and for those wet and windy days I’ll join for a month and make good use of it.

Today, Wednesday it was the usual stretch and tone and the 6.5 mile bike ride around the lagoon. I can actually feel myself getting fitter and like a mad woman starting to enjoy it too, god i sound boring.

I do other things too but i'm on an 'onshore mission'. I always thought sailing would keep me fit but sitting in the cockpit on the same tack does not burn off calories or build muscle. Now the windlass has been fixed we don't even get to haul the anchor.

It’s a glorious sunny day today but still chilly in the shade. Four of us cycled today and with the chit chat as we went around it was no time before i was back on the boat, collapsed and wishing the kettle would hurry up.

Last night while sitting and reading on my Kindle i had a feeling i was being watched, as i looked up a pair of eyes were looking back at me from a small window right opposite. It did make me jump but as the peeping tom  had whiskers and a pink nose i soon realised Peanut, the adopted marina cat had come for a snoop.

I'm the only occupied boat on this pontoon and some distance awway from anyone so was surprised to see her. Of course i had to give her something to eat so a little fish in tomato sauce, and a piece of cheese i dug out of the bin had her purring away. I've not seen her today so this was probably just a nose about.

She usually sits in the bar either in the sun or on someone's lap who sits for long enough, she isn't fussy. She likes nothing more than to pinch crisps left unatended or drink from your glass, wine, beer, anything will do.

The live aboards clubbed together to have her spayed, I bet she was chuffed about that......

It’s Keiths birthday today so he and Pam have invited me to join them for a birthday meal, great, real food, no soup tonight and no cooking, what a treat.

Free time = none

This is supposed to be a relaxed lifestyle, if I find out who said that they will be keel hauled. Winter aboard means mainly being static so you have to find things to do. My time has been getting into this fitness regime, as we’ll probably be off around April I intend to give it wellie till then. Cycling, stretch and tone classes have taken a lot of time out of my relaxing time, but I do take my camera on long bike rides and walks so i'm able to indulge my hobby.

We’ve had bowling nights, curry nights, movie nights and just social nights. I've had to keep a timetable/diary to keep up. Everyone here is so friendly and obviously had their orders from Carol to keep an eye on me.

I sweet friend thought I deserved a treat and sent me a new toy, something I’d really wanted too. When it comes to spending money on frivolous things for myself  I can never justify it. So on the 20th of January a package arrived and I eagerly opened it and there it was, sleek, black wafer thin and all mine, it's name was Kindle3G.

It's my very own ebook reader. I love reading but getting the book you want to read is very difficult out here. Book swaps are good but you end up reading stuff you wouldn't ordinarily choose. Then there is the space, I have two small book shelves mostly filled with my art and photography book collection so there isn't much room for novels.

My Kindle didn't have an easy journey as it was kidnapped by customs who wanted me to sign an affidavit to confirm I was who I was!!!!! Anyway I acted blonde (sorry Liz just a term nothing personal) and eventually a passport number and fathers name was enough for the Greek customs to release it.

I'm just thrilled with it, having registered on my Amazon account I was ready to roll and  I chose my first book, Three cups of tea by Greg Mortenson, hmmmm not exactly what I expected but it's a light read so won’t take long to finish. I can choose a book from the kindle store far cheaper than the paper copy.  All I have to do then is press buy and before I go back to the home page it's there to read. I've also realised you can read the first chapter of a book before buying; i should have done that with Three cups of tea but never mind.

There are also free books you can down load mainly the classics. Magazines and news papers are also available. So I’m all set up and although it's not the same as having the paper copy in your hand I get to read what I want. I can always buy my favs once I get home but I will always have the electronic copy. So if you have any recommendations please let me know.

Thanks P, I’m very grateful for your thoughtful generosity.

Amongst the cycling and walking I went out with Pam and Keith last Sunday for a walk, Keith is a hobby photographer too. We took a few good shots. My best one was of the sun going down with the snow capped mountains in the background.

 

I have my paints out and have a project going, playing my fav songs on the cd player and painting is very soothing and gives me time to think about family, friends and the coming year. Andrea Bocelli has different effects depending how I feel at the time but I do love his music and voice even though I haven't a clue what he's saying. The Italian language really does it for me even though I don’t understand a word of it. At the moment I have Eva Cassidy playing Fields of gold. It's one of those if day’s weather wise, blue skies with large white and grey clouds full of rain and every now and then they empty onto my hatch, it sound like a gang of penguin’s tap dancing up there. The wind is too strong for a bike ride just yet but maybe it'll drop later.

I sea oranges.

On the stroke of January 6th, the "twelve days" of Christmas (Epiphany) officially come to an end. This day, takes on a special meaning in Greece. Here, there is a special ceremony of blessing the waters and the vessels that sail and work on them.

Strings or oranges line the streets for people to buy who haven't already brought your own.

The modern celebration takes the form of a priest hurling a large crucifix into the waters while blessing the briny. Young men brave the cold sea and compete to retrieve it. The cross is attached to a nice, safe long rope or ribbon, just in case this year's crop of divers sinks attempting to get the cross safely back to shore. As they stood there in a row some looking brave, others looking as though they were just about to be hurled to the lions I stood poised with my camera wanting to get a shot of them diving in.

Damn I should have set the camera to multi pics, one shot of bodies in mid flight

Ouch looks like a few belly flops here.

The next PIC a bunch of brave cold men splashing about like sharks during a frenzied attack. Still you get the idea.

Children, old folk men and woman dangle clumps of oranges into the blessed sea. I was told these are then hung on boats and in homes for the year and supposed to bring good luck.

Greece has lots of good luck trinkets in the shops. I have one in my cabin that Carol bought me, a sail boat tied with red ribbons.

A band accompanied the group of priests to the blessing spot but what made this seem strange was that they were also escorted by machine gun totting soldiers. The priests donned colourful capes and hats and of course the obligatory beards gave them a sort of holy aura.

            

Hmm it all looks very solemn

After the diving for the cross event, local fishermen bring their boats to be blessed by the priest.

Apparently after the ceremony folks go home to another Christmas feast but Carol and I went for a nice coffee with croissants instead. As I supped my frothy hot coffee and consumed my very nice croissants I knew I had to take the bit between the teeth and go for my bike ride. Yesterday I just did a short walk so today a concerted effort was needed.  As soon as I got back to the boat I grabbed Fanny, my camera and the GPS and set off.

I’d planned a pit stop just past the windmills today however a photograph opportunity presented itself and I couldn’t let it pass. My old mate Don was cantering towards me sat astride his trusty steed and just about to do battle with a rather forlorn windmill.

The cycling is getting easier mainly due to the fact I day dream most of the way around however, I must buy a new gel seat the numbness and other sensations are not enjoyable.

We mad Brits.

 

As the Christmas day swim was cancelled the New Year day swim took place at 12.30 pm. With a marina full of Brits you would have expected a good turnout but perhaps the Brits aren’t as mad as I thought. Only three donned their cosies and took the leap of death. Carol who usually just goes for it took a few mins to immerse herself but she did it.

 

Ellie the dog also took her very first few doggy paddle strokes. Of course someone had to hold the towels and take the pics so I reluctantly volunteered to miss out on the swim.

January 3^rd and we took the decorations down and had a good boat cleanup. It’s a beautiful day, warm and sunny so when the Dyson ran out of power we decided to go for a bike ride.

Yesterday was blustery and showery and just the excuse I needed NOT to go for my bike ride but don’t despair, today I did ten miles. I'm dead pleased with myself, even my nether regions are getting used to the saddle.

We passed through the olive groves again, I had to check out the turkeys but alas only about a quarter were there. Of course I shouted out calimeara (phonetically spelt). It means good day in Greek and of course they replied in unison. Gobble gobble.

More lambs seem to be around this time sitting huddled up together under the olive trees.

I had one or two pit stops en route usually after a hill knowing the best bit was to come, freewheeling. There is one stretch where if you give a few really hard pedals you can freewheel for someway and gather up speed till you almost wobble off.

Fanny does have a steering problem, she tends to go for pot holes and believe me there are plenty of them around, I think the Greeks build them in.

I took another pic of one of the many miniture Irises...

Slightly over exposed but a nice subject.

There are some lovely holiday Villas on our bike ride many of them facing the sea and the long sandy beaches.  I expect from Easter we will start to see the holiday makers arriving.

I’ve had my water colour paints out a few times but I don’t seem to be doing very well, I’ve yet to do something I’d be proud to show off. Water colour for me seems to be a bit of a mystery. If I can do well with oils and acrylics then why can’t I master water colour? I won’t give up, ‘self improvement’ being this year’s motto means if at first you don’t succeed try, try again.

Carol has ordered me a pedometer from the tinternet, my aim will be to do a minimum of 10,000 steps a day. I'm hoping when Carol returns to Greece after her almost three month pilgrimage to the UK I will be well on my way to a fitter trimmer me and able to keep up with her and new pup on extended walks.

New year resolutions!!!

I'm not making any instead I'm making a new 'life resolution' and I’ve already started, why wait till January 1st WOW that sounds determined.

My 'life resolution' is ‘self improvement’, the inner and outer self. I’ve started with the outer as I think the inner may follow as my outer self gets fitter.

The outer will take determination and willpower, over procrastination self doubt and sheer lazyness will be a thing of the past...well it's work in progress.

A healthier lifestyle with a better diet of healthy food at regualr times (that's important) and regular exercise i will make this year the year of 'fullfilled determination' or the chinese equivilent of the Bull, well i am a Taurean.

I’ve started by cycling again not that I did much before in fact, I shied away from it. Since getting fanny last winter in Lagos she spent more time in the locker than pounding the roads and dirt tracks, fanny by the way is my bike, a De Blasi fold up. I did introduce you to her last year.

She has small wheels  but i don't hold that against her, about six gears and a gel seat that’s seen better days hence the name 'Fanny'. Carol tells me that after a while the nether regions become numb and hurt less, I'm not sure if that’s a good thing but needs must.

I’ve set myself a novice’s goal of around five miles a day for the next few weeks however, we did a seven mile stint the other day. Of course with no car the bike becomes a welcome mule when shopping. I’ve used cable ties to fix a veg basket on the back to carry my camera when out on joy rides, and for carrying home food on the shopping trips. She is more a Ford pop rather than the Audi TT ;0). She's even opentopped.

The start of my ride around the lagoon goes over a bridge and I cycle past a small fish farm. Herons, pelicans, little egrets and greater egrets either sit on the wooden fences or float about waiting for an opportunity to make a meal from one of the delicacies being reared in the wooden tanks. This Heron didn't seem bothered about being photographed.

 

These guys however get spooked so this is as close as i could get.

Fishermen are dotted here and there along the banks. The other day I saw a fisherman catch what looked like a calamari, he whipped it out of the water on a line and slammed it onto the stony path only it flew off the hook and into the path of a car, he gave a loud what I could only guess was OH NO... in Greek and tried to get it before it was squashed.

I’ve not been very successful with fishing in Greek waters; the only fish I’ve seen have been either mullet or those pretty tropical ones I wouldn’t want to catch anyway.

I'm not sure I could kill a calamari should I catch one. I'm not good at killing things however, I have found what I feel is a more humane way to put to sleep any fish I catch. A capful of cheap Rum or Gin poured into the gills does the job and a feel much better knowing they passed away pissed. Not a bad way to go some would say.

My ride around the lagoon today gave me the opportunity to stop and take some pics. These pit stops are to give my bits time to come back to life.

Miniature blue Irises sit in clumps along the edge of the sandy beach, this topped off with the turquoise sea and snow capped mountains in the distance make for a pretty picture.

I’ve not really done it justice and you'll have to take my word for it about the sea and mountains but here's one a took earlier.

My  halfway marker are three windmills that sit facing out to sea, one has the remains of the sails.

These rusting arms that once supported the wooden sails sit beautifully against the rustic stone work. The sound of the sea crashing against the shoreline just in front of their majestic structure is spell binding. I can almost imagine Don Quixote of La Mancha  riding in on his trusty steed, sword in hand challenging them to a combat. Yeah I know, I'm in Greece not Spain but I have a vivid imagination.

To make my bike ride less of a chore I need these photographic stops to spur me on. The next one is about half a mile from home and a lovely scenic pose of small local fishing boats moored at the lagoons edge. Today the lagoon was really calm and the reflections of the boats almost a mirror image.

One of the bains of my life is internet connections, having sat here for almost an hour trying to download pics i'd almost given up but with some re re resizing it's worked, quality has suffered, sorry folks....

Christmas without snow......

 

Merry Christmas family and friends.

Reading emails, looking at all the pics submitted on my online photography club and reading the news I see most of you have had a white Christmas. 

Although we all moan about the white stuff you have to admit, there’s nothing as uplifting as waking up on Christmas morning to a landscape of crisp white snow and to top that off, large fluffy snowflakes helping to keep it topped up, blue skies, warm sun just aint natural.

Actually, it was cloudy here in Lefkas and we had some showers however, we did have a wood burner in the yacht club where we spent our Christmas.

The unwrapping of pressies started our day followed by scrambled eggs and salmon, and some of my favourite, pain aux chocolate. With that over we did our damndest to get tarted up for the Christmas lunch, not easy on a limited wardrobe, still we scrubbed up well.

Around sixty of us sat down to a traditional Christmas dinner with sprouts and parsnips sent over from the UK. Crackers pulled and hats donned we tucked into a lovely meal.

Of course the best thing is you didn’t have to peel a sprout, stuff a bird or do the dishes, I highly recommend it.

Although we had a great time I did miss the family and thought back to last Christmas with John and Lynda in Lagos. That was a good Christmas and although away from loved ones we had a cracking time.

During courses we entertained ourselves with the jokes and games from our crackers.

One game of challenge kept us amused for ages, ‘Marathon spinner’. Spin the top inside an ashtray and see whose remains spinning the longest. Tim did pretty well with 1 minute 21 however although Lynne had a good steady flick in her twist she just couldn’t keep it up.

Having not had much to drink for some time I found after only two rum and cokes i  was feeling rather squiffy and as I often do when under when under the influence I couldn’t stop chatting so I went onto ginger beer’s just in case i made a fool of myself, i don't know this lot well enough for that yet.

Lunch over and tables cleared we made way for the band. Unfortunately the guitar player/singer and joke teller had already consumed a bottle of port and was well into another. At one point he asked us what songs he knew the words to!!!!! The other band member, the box player gave him a few hints and with the help of his audience he came up with a few we all knew the words to. Wild rover, Little eyes and a few more up to date ones kept us on the dance floor.

Yeah i know, they wouldn't win the X Factor but then I'm no Cheryl Cole either and needs must. Despite their appearance the singer had a good voice and the box player was rather good at drumming out a beat. Carol was impressed at how he tapped a rhythm.....

There had been talk over lunch of doing a swim on Boxing day, of course those who had consumed the most alcohol were dead keen, I just kept quiet.

Boxing day....

Carol had decided we would have our own boat Christmas dinner and had bought half a turkey. Carol did all the prep and cooking while i tidied up and faffed about.  We sat down to our second traditional lunch but without the sprouts, parsnips and crackers. I’d brought over a homemade Christmas pud and Carol made brandy butter to set it off. The swim was postponed to New Years day due to rain......Phew.

It’s now the day after Boxing day or as Ben used to call it ‘thumping day’ and it’s back onto the healthy eating and exercise regime, so far I’ve washed my smalls. I'm now procrastinating and mustering up the courage to go for a bike ride after lunch.

Hear's hoping the New Year brings us all new experiences, the meeting up with old friends, the making of new friends and a wealth of health.

I missed most of the snow...

Photographs, videos and reports of snow back home make me wish I’d waited a few more weeks before coming out to Lefkas. The vision of England under a blanket of white snow conjures up those childhood feelings of excitement. Snowball fights, building snowmen, sledging and the crisp newness of it all. Of course Christmas with snow just adds to the seasonal joy i feel at this time of year.

I think I’ll try and time my visit back next year to coincide with an encounter with the white stuff.

We do have snow here but it’s high up on the mountains and as it’s warmed up over the last few days so that’s receding. Apparently January and February are the coldest months here.

I’ve been slowly getting back into the live aboard life, meeting the gang and joining in a few social events. My cold held me back the first week but with just a cough left I’ve started my 'getting fit regime' albeit slowly.

My day starts with a breakfast fit for a bear, porrige topped with a banana, cup of hot arange and a vitimin c tablet. Lunch is usually  homemade soup or fish and the evening meal is again healthy. Chicken here is expencive, about 7 euros each however, beef is cheap, a rib of beef being about 8 euros a kilo. Vegatables are whatever is in season but reasonably priced. So we are not starving ourselves just being sensible.

Yesterday we went for a seven mile bike ride, a few hills on the way meant I did the odd bit of pushing but the downhill bits gave me time to get my breath back.

Carol had seen a weedy bush that she wanted to use as a Christmas tree and we went in search of it. Cycling around the countryside past Villas and farms gave me the opportunity to see the real Lefkas. 

Jasmine is in flower here and giving off a delicate scent as you ride by. Along with bright red flowering bushes I don’t know the name of it's all quite colourfull.

Delicate irises in small clumps along the edge of the lanes and dirt tracks along with tiny cyclamen  have me wobbling about as i try and peer at them as i speed past.

Large dogs tied, thankfully bark aggressively as we pass them, those who were fenced in ran alongside us, only the high fences stopped them from chewing at our heels.

Sheep with their lambs grazed on small holdings and chickens scratched around looking for a morsel or two, it's so relaxed here.

I'm not too good on a bike,  not being able to take my hand off the handle bars to indicate to traffic my intentions, I  stay close to Carol and hope for the best.

As we cycled along one track we came across olive groves and orange orchards with flocks of Turkey’s. This was a photo opportunity not to miss. As we draw up I gave a cough and all in unison they lowered their heads and gave a choir like gobble. Carol and I broke into laughter and they echoed our laughs, of course this became a game and like kids we kept saying “hello” and they would reply “goooooobble” . Yes I know it’s childish but it was just one of those things you have to do.

 
All dressed up and knowhere to go, well....that's untill a few days before Christmas.

Good job they don't know they're in for a good stuffing.....

We were making our way towards the lagoon and Carol wanted to show me a little well kept church near the beach. Hidden down a steep slope it overlooked the lagoon. It was a real pilgrimage for those who visited it and it looked like it had a regular flock who frequented it's little chapel.

I’d given myself a carrot to keep me focused on not falling off my bike and collapsing in a heap, my carrot was a cup of hot chocolate in a cafe close to the marina. When we reached my goal I sat in the window clutching my hot mug of sweet thick chocolate and looked out over the boats across the lagoon at the mountains in the distance.

A flock of flamingos huddled together a long way out, we weren’t sure they were flamingos until we zoomed in at Carols pics later but you could see a pinkness as they huddled together.

Friends Pam and Keith have returned to the UK today and we are dog sitting Ellie. Ellie was a stray and in her short six months of life has been pushed from pillar to post however she’s hit the jackpot with Pan and Keith who have become doting owners.

Today I'm slobbing it, yesterdays bike ride done I feel like I deserve a day of reading, writing and just naval contemplation. Tomorrow I’ll go for another bike ride, bottom willing; I'm a tad saddle sore.

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.