The last few days in Dubrovnik were spent busy doing last minute jobs – fixing leaks in the dinghy (again!), sewing up the leather on the steering wheels and most importantly adjusting the chains and wires on the steering system. This has made a massive difference to the weight of the steering –Helen can now steer the boat without getting back ache! It has only taken me 5 years to get to the bottom of the heavy steering but better late than never! Oh and you can probably notice that Justin has succumbed and eventually had his hair cut!
The weather has been pretty atrocious since we returned with a strong Bora blowing for most of the time. We spotted a weather window for the Thursday and so decided to go for it. Unfortunately this was a day after our annual contract ran out at the marina and the ‘lady’ in the office kindly told us that we had to be off the mooring by 2 pm on the Wednesday. We decided to call her bluff and stay hoping that we would be overlooked by the ACI marinieros doing their daily rounds. Luckily we got away with it and duly left at 6.30 am on Thursday morning.
Our last day was spent in Gruz doing some final shopping for the trip. We were also invited for drinks aboard a neighbouring yacht in the evening and met one of Jim Massey’s ex-governors from Mount House – what a small world!
The passage to Corfu started with some quite large seas and strong winds but it soon settled down to nothing meaning that we had to motor nearly all of the way. It was a great passage with belle Helene behaving beautifully – we saw the most beautiful sunset and were joined by many dolphins who came to play, swimming under our bows and jumping clear out of the water right along side the boat – what a treat!
Sunrise saw a very different picture with grey skies and the first rain we have seen for a while. We motored along the Albanian coast which seemed very sinister – it is very barren and we even sailed through an old mine field!
Unfortunately the constant motoring took its toll on our fuel supplies and we were getting very low with still 20 miles to go before reaching our preferred destination at Gouvia Marina near Corfu town. We decided to head for the small town of Kassiopi and luckily found the last spot between two similar sized yachts on the town quay behind a breakwater. We dropped the anchor and went stern to – perfect! We were in bed very early as neither of us had much sleep the previous night. When we woke, we were greeted by more high winds and large seas breaking over the breakwater causing an unpleasant swell in the harbour. More ropes and fenders secured the boat and we eventually felt able to leave her and go ashore for an explore – but not before Justin scrubbed the decks after the largest sea gull in the world pooped all over the bow!
There are more English people in Corfu that there are in Taunton! The supermarket is full of English products and it looks as if we will be able to stock up on HP sauce, Branston and, of course, Heinz baked beans!
We went for a beer in a cafe and managed to Skype Tom using the iphone (no one else was on line!) – oh the wonders of modern technology!
The weather was still miserable and so Justin went off to the petrol station in the pouring rain to fetch the fuel and also found a cone which he needs to help feed the anchor chain ….. I’ll attach a photo to show you what I mean when I’ve done it.. 
Sunday – weather is beautiful, going to the beach!
1 comment:
If there's one thing we don't get in the mountains it's brilliant sunsets. And rather upsettingly it looks like you're having the time of your lives.
But the joke's on you because we have the coldest, snowiest winter in years on the way apparently.
You should probably jump ship and strap your skis on!
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