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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"
sailing blog
It was Wednesday 24th April at 09.20 when the licensed bandit (taxi driver) arrived to take us to the train station. After what seemed like an awfully long time at home in the Cotswolds we were FINALLY going back to the boat in Corfu. First, we had to endure a journey all the way to Gatwick as our local airport, Bristol, didn't start their new season schedule for a couple of weeks, but the excitement of heading off for a nine day stay on Comino made it more than bearable. At 23.30 local time (two hours ahead of the UK) we were sat in the cockpit (the boat not the plane) with huge smiles on our faces that wouldn't have looked out of place on a Cheshire Cat! We'd made it. I have to say, even after seven years of doing this, it's still a very nervous moment when you first step onboard after six months away. I did the usual quick glance all around to make sure everything was still in one piece and peeked into the bilges to check they were bone dry - thankfully all was ship shape and Bristol fashion.....hence the big grin. The inside of the boat was spotlessly clean and dry, exactly as we'd left it last October, so it was easy to just flop into our cabin and crash out after the tiring journey. The next morning, in glorious sunshine I have to say, the effects of the boat sitting in Greece over winter were more apparent. It seemed that the Sahara Desert in Africa had decided to relocate itself to the Southern Mediterranean, perhaps for a little break away from the searing heat. Anyway, it had dumped red sand on all the boats in the marina, which made everything look filthy - although nothing a hose pipe couldn't deal with very easily. Several boats on our pontoon had already been spring cleaned by their owners, who had now returned for the new sailing season and it was great to say hello and catch up again. Over the coming days more people would arrive making the whole place feel like it was coming back to life from its wintery slumber. As I mentioned, we were here for just nine days and the purpose of the trip was to slowly start getting the boat ready for our bigger venture throughout the whole summer, when we'll be returning in a few weeks time. Actually, the real reason for this short holiday was to sample the unique delights of the Corfu Greek Orthodox Easter, which took place one week after ours. I'd done a lot of reading up on what is a long list of unfolding events that mark the death of Christ and his miraculous arising. Thousands of people from all over Greece traveled to join what seemed like the entire population of Corfu for this week long festival - combining highly religious, rather sombre, elements with some amazing celebratory events too, still laced with relevant religious symbolism, but nevertheless spectacular to watch. Not being religious types ourselves, we only did the "big ticket" Saturday side of things, which took place in beautiful Corfu Town. Long ago I'd booked a hotel in the centre of town so that we could enjoy the whole day, with a comfortable siesta in the afternoon, then onwards and upwards again with the evening festivities, culminating in a jaw dropping fireworks display at midnight. When it finished we were able to enjoy a couple of late night vinos then off to bed without needing to find a taxi in the wee small hours. I could bang on about all the different spectacles and goings on, but I think it's easier to show a few pictures that give a flavour of our day, including the rather quieter Sunday morning stroll. Google can do the proper explaining about the meaning of everything if you're that interested. And so, that was our Easter weekend in Corfu Town - it was a bit of a do I must say. There were a few delicious Greek meals thrown in for good measure and then it was back to Comino for another spell in the marina, generally relaxing and sampling a few more tavernas in the locality. We didn't sail because the engine needs servicing and the sails aren't back on either. The weather turned quite cold one evening and we even turned the heating on in the boat, which hadn't been used for several years, but overall it was shorts, T-shirts and the obligatory flip flops. We're back in the UK now for a couple of weeks and then it's boat life once again for the summer up until autumn. Can't wait!!!
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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.
OUR ADVENTURES FROM THE BEGINNING CATEGORIES
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