Sun 22nd Sept
Awoke with plans to go South and see a bit more of the Ionian before our trip to Italy and Beyond. The Handy Navtex was consulted and the terms SE, 5-6 locally 7 later, changed the mood a bit. We talked it over and felt that we wanted to move on so we would brave the elements and poke our noses out. If it was too bad, we could always come back. We went over to Ocean Breezes and said our goodbyes - expectant to meet up again in Malta in 4 weeks or so. (OceanB - was to Winter in Malta).thew our stern lines, weighed the anchor and motored off to Lakka's coved entrance.
12:30 Left Lakka - Lunch was served on the way out.
When we left the headland (with fog horn blasts from the OceanBreezes crew, now on the cliff path, waving goodbye) we ploughed into the Sea, half meter in height, white horses formed. winds SE 18 knots;- not bad. but we didn’t fancy the trip South so we headed North back to Petri - a 3 hour trip, should be there by 3:30 for a wash down and Tea.
Foresail up, engines on to recharge the batteries, we motor sailed North, with the wind30 degrees of the starboard quarter. The seas started to increase, and the winds picked up to the predicted 6 - around 22 knots. We were surfing on the waves and with both forms of power we were cruising at around 8 knots. This speed was short of the wave speed and the boat lollopped (as Cats do) in its erratic motion. Every effort was made to save Sophie and Emma from falling asleep ("I feel sea-sick"), horizon staring, looking out for boats, counting the white horses etc, but one by one they fell asleep and were laid to rest in their cabins, One with a frying pan the other with a saucepan. Louisa was fine (although nodding off now) and Jack was strapped into his pushchair in the cabin to go to sleep, as we could not watch him in his cot with the rough wave motion.
So with all kids asleep we turned the headland for a broad reach/motorsail to Petri. We could see another boat closing in on Petri and we arrived in front of it. There was only one space at the quay, as all the fishing boats were taking all the available space. Sail in, We motored in slowly with Stern ropes laid, fenders out. The tandem anchor was untied, but woudnt drop, I pressed the "down anchor" but still didnt drop - It was jammed. The sea in the harbour was not the best, and the wind was not as sheltered as it could have been, blowing side on into the space. I tried to free it, but no luck, we motored back out for some space, and after many banging, pulling, heaving and swearing, the anchor came free. In the meantime the other boat slipped ungracefully into the slot, I noticed that he wasnt making eye contact!.
Ok plan B or C - anchor in the bay of Petriti ( and risk the swing and the drag in a possibly F7) or soldier on and make a rush for Corfu Town or Gouvia Marina. Water, shelter, Hot showers, laundry, Oil changes, and Emmas Birthday Present were all calling, We went for Gouvia. 1 reef in the Main - after much hassle getting it up, the cover caught in the Main sheet Block, Reefing lines wrapped around the Radar. Jib out full, we turned the engines off and Goosewinged WNW. now with peak wind gusts at 33 knots and a rolling sea from behind we managed 12.2 knots on the log for a split second. The whole journey covering 40 miles took 5 hours (assuming 30 mins messing around in Petriti). Averaging 8knots. The p[land for getting the main down was to wait until the shelter from Gouvia, It worked a treat, we hammered all the way up the channel turned into te Marina, the wind dropped, dead into wind, the main flopped peacefully into its bag, ropes ready, lot of fenders, we came even more peacefully along side the (Charter) Quay, where Helen had got a Great Hotpot and Rice served up, perfect timing. The decks were washed down in clean water, and all the Lakka mess was cleared off - dead flies, muddy footprints etc etc.
A bit of TV and then to bed.
The bruise seems to be getting bigger.
Monday 23rd
Well the prediction of Force 7's and thunderstorms was right (Navtex seems to be pretty good). The whole day was torrential rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds. School was a success, and "playschool with Jack" was spent in Dads cabin playing farms, jigsaws and shape toys. Jack, fell asleep exhausted at 11am. Left over HotPot for Tea and a movie (or 2 for the kids), and off to bed to the symphony of thunder and Lightening. The sky was constantly alight with lightening all around, jumping in the clouds and striking land, wind shift of 180 degrees, gusting about 30, torrential rain, and thunder after thunder.
The bruise seems to be turning all shades of the rainbow.
Tuesday 24th 700 E
A quiet morning of weather, School Again with the usual brisk "Grace CD" warm up music during breakfast. Dad and Jack went for a mammoth 3 hour Shop spending 200E on lots of everything including 10 tins of emergency spam!. 500E OF CASH, extracted (as CCards tend to invite a 5-8% surcharge.
Dragging the Shopping Trolley packed full of food back to the boat. The customary "Chain Gang" of all hands on deck to pass the food bags from shore to Galley for stowage was usual fun of quotes like "Eggs in this one, watch out, pass it on" and "this ones heavy, glass, be careful, pass it on". Helen stayed to stow the food and tidy up school, while Dad and the kids headed off to the local Cafe for a sausage Roll and a coke. Helen joined later. 5 litres of 50/40 Oil (and another 5 for spare, some rust remover and Dad was ready for an afternoon of 2 oil changes and some rust-spots-on-the-deck-removing. The Pella pump that was to be a mess-free oil change wonder, looked good. Except one thing the little plastic widget to connect the pipe to the tank was broken when opened. hmmmm, not to worry, Dad managed to heat up the plastic pipe and squeeze it over the plastic flange, and with the vacuum in the Pump the tube stayed on very nicely - ok so after lots of pumping, it seems that the recommended 10-20 pumps isnt enough to lift the full 2.3 litres of dud oil.a total of about 50 or so was required over a period of about 30 mins managed to suck all the oil out. as the last remaining drops of oil are sucked out the vacuum is released and...... the pipe plops off and spurts the last remaining drops over the "immaculately clean" engine room and Dad. So another 30 mins spent manhandling the now oily pella pump and pipes out across the boat to the quay, and cleaning said items, cleaning up the engine room, and Dad. Thank god for super glue. a dab on the pipe and the flange and the tube was now stuck in place for good - perfect. The 2nd engine was a doddle. After reading the instructions and this time turning the engine over for 5 minutes to warm the oil, the job went smoother. Still lots more pumping, but it was a smooth and clean job. New Oil in both engines and 2 good jobs done. To top it all, the rust spots were cleaned easily while the oil was pumping, so extra boat brownie points all round and a successful afternoon.
In the meantime, Helen was setting of for "Jungle Jims" but found it was closed, so went to the park instead. They arrived back just as Dad locked the boat up to join them. Dad and the kids played on deck on the trampolines while Mum got Dinner of Pasta, Parmesan Cheese sauce on Spam and broccoli.
In the evening and the night, the same thunderstorms hit us and the boat got a good soaking.
I have never seen a bruise like it, the largest, most colorful bruise in the world. "Mum why is your bruise Green - no blue, purple, red..." I think be the size of it Mum was allowed to cry after the fall after all.
Weds 25th
Another school morning after the Singalong 1/2 hour with Dad and breakfast. Dad and Jack took a walk and had a coffee a cake and a paper at the local cafe, at 11am Jack started snoozing so was put back to the boat for a sleep. Dad zipped off on the Scooter to check out the Main port, Corfu Sailing club and NAOK harbour for Town moorings during the in-law visit. The main port was awful, very busy, very dirty. Corfu SC was very nice, set in the grounds of the fort, which is now, museums, art and music colleges. The harbour was a bit of a walk, 24E a night. NAOK was great, 20E a stones throw away from the Old town, shops etc. Showers, potable water and great views. I think we'll try them out. Parked the scooter in town and walked around trying to find 1. Music shop - for Emmas Bday present (Keyboard), 2. The dreaded Douvet for Helens cold tootsies. 3. DVD software for the laptop. Failed on all three counts. Headed out past the airport to the Trade centres hoping to find more there. Still no sign of a music shop.
Arrived back aT 3PM at the same timer as Mum and the kids returned from the swimming pool in their swimming costumes. ( mums bruise is looking bigger than ever - almost taking over the whole right thigh and buttock - I wonder if it will develop into an all-over bruise). Dad took Jack for a quay side walk/toddle, had tea in the cockpit (at last the rain looks like it s over) tasty chicken and rice, and then Dad took all the kids to the Park while Mum tidied up and joined at the park (first time on the skooter). Back on board Dad gave Jack a bath on deck in the new bought "baby bath"/oversized-square-laundry-bucket. Helen washed Sophie’s hair in the B-bath, then Supper and Bed.
Gouvia Marina is starting to wear thin on me. for 33E a night, the staff are unhelpful. The so called Internet room is always closed. The swimming pool opens when it likes, the safety chains on the swings for infants are missing and when I enquired at 4pm about what time we must leave to not have to pay for tonight - the answer was "2pm" and they wouldn’t budge. So we decided to stay the night and leave around noon tomorrow for a few days anchoring before Helens Parents turn up (We want to be in NAOK- near town for that).
