Yes....Still Waiting

Preveza Marina, Greece

Our dock lines it seems, are stuck fast.  Needless to say, it has to do with a simple part for an American engine.  In Europe they don't take kindly to importing such spares and not only must we wait for it to be sent (to Greece - and all the complications that involves) but also be slugged 23% VAT then add 50 something % import duty.  And we complain about 10% GST!!! We are on rations of bread & water (almost).

To add insult to injury, we've also had to attend to the main engine, replacing a corroded "something" and the starter (or stopper) on Bruce's outboard.  It's a late start for the 7 year itch. Technical Terminology to be provided by our Cap'n who has developed quite the swear word vocabulary.

Oh well, life could be worse, but our float plan is decidedly more like that famed Australian Boating Event, Henley on the Todd Regatta. 

Mmm, well, this might just do...no mechanical parts involved

Although this has just a little more character....

Let’s Not Go Overboard

Preveza Marina, Greece

Off at last.  Only troubles followed in our wake – computer and generator to be precise.  Even the anchor light on top of the mast decided to join in the melee by flashing madly (so not the done thing!) so we were left scratching our heads.  The Cap'n accordingly busied himself at both the high and low points of the boat to sort things out.  After anchoring off Corfu for a day or so and making little headway, we now find ourselves back in the marina in Preveza awaiting the attention of a mechanic – yet again….. 

Now for those of you who are thinking “Oh foof, it’s only the generator!” lets understand the mathematical equation of this necessary device. 

Generator = Fridge = Food = Happy Cap’n

Electric devices too (toaster, rice cooker, water heater and very occasionally air cons) are run via this most hardworking of engines.  Life on board would be Spartan indeed and the Galley Slave is in no mood to be tolerating even fewer modern conveniences.  Neither is the Cap’n thinking (yet) of installing a 12v fridge, which could be run by our daunting bank of solar panels.  I suspect electric winches are higher on the priority list.

So our schedule will be delayed and condensed by a wee bit.  And we try not to consider the sage advice of more modest (purist) sailors like the Pardeys.  Such is life in the sunny Med.

Medicine & German heritage, naturally!