Weather forecast for Thursday 50 mph gusts!
 
We knew the weather was going to blow up a bit, so we left Benitses and headed down to Mourtos to try and get into the harbour there and hold up if things did get a bit blowy. We had a good sail there, the wind was starting to gust a bit, putting up the Genoa was interesting so much so in fact we took it down and decided to go with just the main. Unfortunately when we got to Mourtos all the good spots in the harbour had gone (isn’t that just always the way).There were some gaps on the town quay (you have to ask yourself why were there gaps?) we picked one and moored up. It didn’t seem too bad, so off we went for a meal only to return and find all the boats on the town quay were bouncing up and down quite a lot. Some people had started engines some were just holding on looking concerned. It was quite late so we went on board to go to bed, the people on the boat next to us (Austrians) started chatting to us, next thing we know all three of us are on board drinking some sort of schnapps (you know the sort that makes your eye brows stand on end). We had a tour of their boat which was very impressive, lots of electrical gadgets and a stern cabin that was like a hotel room. Only one of them spoke a bit of English and we of course speak no German but we were there chatting and laughing untill about 3.00am!! Mr W senior promised them all a full English breakfast the next morning and if he says he’s going to do something, then by jove he does it. Our Austrian neighbours were presented with a couple of full English’s to help them get over the night before. After breakfast (which was at lunchtime). we said Auf weidersein (excuse spelling) to our Austrian neighbours, then decided to try and move to a better spot in the harbour. We went alongside a wall and thought it would be lovely jubilee there, we’d be safe as houses. We hadn’t banked on the wind whipping the sea up into a frenzy which produced a rather nasty swell. This made things very uncomfortable and us very nervous, more lines were attached and various bits and bobs were found to be used as extra fenders. After a very sleepless night we woke to find Stella Maris thankfully still in one piece. We set off for Preveza which was about 40 nautical miles away. I think I can safely say we are going to be in for some interesting times with Miles father (sea dog senior) on board. Everybody has their own way of doing things, we tend to discuss what we will do then do it. Sea dog senior has already set off to do things whilst we are still at the discussion stage, this has led to a few exchanges of words taking place. Yes blog readers there are going to be some interesting and exciting times ahead!! Tomorrow we leave to head towards Zakynthos, my parents are arriving on the 3rd September for two weeks (not on boat). Mr W senior is on board for a while, rumour has it he could be staying 5 weeks! We have a friend Linda coming out for a week on 17th September, so crew quarters will be snuggly buggly on Stella Maris. Stay tuned to see who has to walk the plank first. Love to you all Captain Miles, Sea dog senior and Chief moorer up Karen XXX
Saturday, 2 September 2006