New improved facilities on Stella Maris
 
We are currently in Lakki marina (oh joy) on an island called Leros in the Dodecanese. (37 07’.52N 26 49’.78E). On our way over here we had a bash at using Captain Autohelm. Captain M is somewhat reluctant to use Captain Autohelm, as in the past when we have tried to use it, it has paid no attention to our instructions and veered off on its own course (I think it’s in cahoots with the Weatherman). On this particular occasion it was no different, the Captain connected it and all of a sudden we’d done a 180, followed by a 45 degree turn and were heading for some rocks. We both decided the autohelm was a loose cannon that couldn’t be trusted. Captain M was going on about the people that had installed it being well, less than bright, he felt they had to use a technical term ‘bodged it’. Within the half hour, the autohelm was installed and was keeping the course. No, I won’t tell you what the problem was, but why don’t you ask Captain M when you next see him. All was lovely jubilee, when all of a sudden the wind got up, Stella got tippy. Very disconcerting to watch the autohelm steering the boat when it gets tippy. We both decided it would be best to intervene and put Captain Autohelm to bed. I get quite excited about being in a marina because they have hot showers (bliss). Don’t get me wrong the Captain has been making improvements to the showering facilities on Stella, as at the moment it is a tad chilly for showering al fresco. Phase one of the improvement was to put up a shower curtain in the head (loo) area. Then have the solar shower coming in through the hatch, there by allowing you to shower in privacy and some warmth. The problem was that the solar shower doesn’t get that warm, so whilst you do have some privacy, the water was fresh to say the least. Phase two, boil up a kettle and add this water to the solar shower, perfecto. We can now have a hot shower in privacy. Lovely as it is, you can’t beat a proper shower, only having such facilities once in a while makes you appreciate them more. Another good thing about being in a marina is that you have electricity, so we are able to charge everything up. The Captain has charged up his drill and is ready for action. He’s replacing some rivets on the mast. There’s also talk of some lazy jack adjustment. (the lazy jack system he’s installed is bob a job). We can also fill up the boat with water, it’s just soooooooo good. I’d been carting around a bucket of water since we left Amorgos for fear of us running out. Love & buckets Captain M, Karen and Captain Autohelm XX
Thursday, 3 May 2007