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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
Has it really been over a month since Comino was left all alone in Malta to ride out the winter storms without her trusty skipper at the helm? It makes me feel a bit guilty that I'm not there to dole out some much needed TLC on those damp days and long dark nights. Actually, in truth, Jane has been popping down to the marina almost every other day to check all is well - so thanks a million sweetie - the pictures you send are always very reassuring. But not for much longer will this wanton neglect on my part continue. The flights are booked and we'll be back on-board at the beginning of April. Hip Hip Hooray - as Prince Charles would say. Quite why I needed to insert a royal reference here is a bit beyond me. I think the lack of sunshine is making me nuts.
Talking of sunshine, or more to the point the complete absence of anything remotely resembling a ball of fire in the sky, we're now residing in a rented cottage high up in the Cotswold hills, trying desperately to keep warm and dry. I can't remember the last day when it didn't rain. And now it's turned bloody cold too. What happened to those lovely hot days wearing nothing more than shorts and flip flops and a long lingering smile. Now, it's all wellies and walking boots, thick socks and scarfs and stuff they call "technical clothing", designed to see you through the next ice age. As the late great Eric Morcombe would say "bring me sunshine - bring me laughter - bring me love". Enough of this nonsense. Time to man up and face up to the elements. Between now and April deep snow is forecast, so as the old saying goes - it has to get worse before it gets better. All I hope is that we don't get caught out up here without essential supplies. If that does happen there is a handy pub just across the road but unfortunately it's one of those Hungry Horse type joints that serves tasteless packet food, freshly microwaved or deep fried. Not one meal doesn't come without battered onion rings. Sorry, I must sound like Victor Meldrew…….on a bad day. In all seriousness, we're having a ball back home in blighty. Seeing family and friends again has been such a pleasure, but it does make you realise that being away from everybody for so long is one of the downsides of living life at sea. Still, you can't have it all, though this year's resolution is to make sure more of our loved ones come and stay with us on the boat or even in a hotel close by. A few weeks ago we spent some time with good friends at their wonderful home that nestles at the foot of the Malvern Hills. It was like a luxury five star break at a spa resort, such is the splendour of their enormous pad. Our en-suite walk in double shower was just about the size of our saloon aboard Comino. It made me laugh that we could spend up to nine months of the year in such a confined space, but in reality it's the amazing world all around us where we actually hang out most of the time. And it's no different here really. No sooner had we settled into the enormous leather sofas, than we jumped up to don our walking boots, hats and scarfs and off we trekked up the hills to marvel at the spectacular views across to the Black Mountains in South Wales. The fact is, despite the weather, the UK is still a pretty spectacular place to be.
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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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