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"There's always a plan, but unexpected things happen and we just go with the flow. Though I do believe that fate and destiny often play their part"
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This latest soiree to the boat was from 24th September to 22nd October. Those 29 days meant we'd notched up a grand total of 86 days in Greece out of the last 180, thus narrowly avoiding incarceration at the airport for breaching BREXIT regulations. To be honest, I don't know what would actually happen at passport control if you were caught exceeding the 90 day rule. I guess you'd be marched off for a bit of a robust interrogation, (hopefully you wouldn't be tasered first), followed by whatever the deportation process is, then fined and possibly banned from re-entering the EU again for lord knows how long. But don't get me started on that one! I'd like to think that a €50 note strategically placed inside one's passport would immediately smooth things over, but, just for the record, I'm not planning to put that theory to the test. We're now looking into the (not inconsiderable) hoops and hurdles involved in applying for Greek residency. This would allow us unlimited time in Greece and with a bit of leg work it does appear quite doable. Comino has been in Greek Territorial Waters since 2018, including the 31st December 2020, when BREXIT actually occurred. We've been in and out of Greece since 2018 meaning, all things being equal, we should be eligible. And, what fun it would be to say to people that we're now part Greek. Mind you, it would put some pressure on us to learn a bit more than just "good morning", "please" and "thank you" in our new native tongue! Shortly after arriving home from our summer trip, and completely out of the blue, I needed some rather invasive surgery. Then I had to attend the hospital or the doctors every single day for 8 weeks during August and September. Not a great experience, I can tell you. So, as you can imagine, getting back to Comino was just the tonic I needed - preferably with a measure of Gin, sat in the cockpit, watching the sun go down. The original plan was to return at the beginning of September, but as I say constantly.... "unexpected things happen and we just go with the flow". The biggest surprise was the weather. Thinking October might be a tad wet and unpleasant, our expectations were totally wrong. After an initial few days of biblical downpours, we had wall to wall glorious sunshine, with daytime temperatures of around 26 degrees. And, the nights were heaven too. Just a sheet over you was sufficient and no humidity to speak of. Towards the end hoodies came out for evening drinks in the cockpit, but overall it was shorts and T-shirts every day. We did sailing trips to all the usual places within a two hour distance. We're saving ourselves for longer passages next year when, hopefully, Nicki will have a brand new hip, meaning long walks and exploring further afield will be possible for her again. Not the case at the moment I'm afraid. And, climbing in and out of "Dolly" the dinghy was simply not an option. Our destinations this year have therefore been deliberately planned around tying up on pontoons with very short walks to showers, pools, beaches and tavernas. Hey....no hardship there....what's not to like! Our future list of "must see" places further down the Southern Ionian is ready and waiting and the routes are already programmed into the Navionics app on my phone. We know where we're going, and we know how to get there! My research this winter will be mainly focused on sussing out the best anchorages and reading reviews for recommended places to dine. Well, a boy's gotta eat! We stripped Comino of her sails and canvas before leaving, did a deep clean down below and had all the sheets and towels laundered at the marina laundry. It's run by a rather eccentric old lady who the Brits on our pontoon call "Jackie Onassis". They jokingly say she's a multi-millionairess, given the rather steep prices she charges. Harsh, but fair! You wouldn't want to use her services more than once a year, that's for sure. Our man Nikos will keep a watchful eye on Comino over the winter, plus he has a few maintenance jobs to tackle before we return. So, it's a wrap for 2023. All I can say is.... roll on next year.
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We spent four days moored up in Paleros, a charming little mainland village. I've written about this place a couple of times before, so here's a few random pics taken on an early morning wander. That is, apart from the Octopus and the frolicking gals, who I was forced to watch whilst eating my Cephalopoda lunch later that day. The significance of the readings above is that the heat and humidity at the height of summer, at four in the afternoon, was a little oppressive. Now, in October, it's fantastic. The comfortmeter (left) is showing that we are in the comfort zone as both needles are within the centre box. This is where the term "comfort zone" comes from. |
A FEW PICS OF COMINO Click a photo to enlarge and use side arrows to scroll through. COMINO IS CURRENTLY HEREDID SOMEONE SAY SEAFOODOn our journey from Portugal to Greece we enjoyed amazing seafood almost everywhere we stopped. Finding the local fish market was always a priority because seafood was so plentiful and so reasonably priced. And, the displays were a feast for your eyes.
Locating a market sometimes meant pounding the pavements in searing heat, but if you kept your eyes peeled, you often came across a little clue. The pic below was a rather less than subtle advert for a fish market - it was eight feet tall.
Freshly cooked onboard, a plateful of giant prawns, baked in wine and garlic, washed down with a few glasses of local vino, was like heaven. Watching the sunset on the boat eating a meal like that was the epitome of "living the dream".
Now we're in Greece we've another favourite to savour. I'm talking about fried Calamari. It's usually good, but every now and then it's off-the-scale fantastic. At Natalie's Taverna on Kontokali Beach in Corfu, it was nothing short of epic.
We're based in Lefkas now and It's been a bit of a mission to find somewhere just as good. And we have. Rakias is a mere ten minute walk from the marina and this little fish market, with its very own taverna attached, is quite sensational.
Oh...and it's also worth mentioning that, on occasions, a bit of barbequed Octopus is on the menu at some of the tavernas we frequent. Can I resist....no. SUNSETS AND DRAMATIC SKIESNo filters, or any other monkey business, have been used to enhance these images.
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