Planning ahead for summer

For those of you who would like to come sailing with me this summer, here is a bit more about what I'll be doing for the first week back. 

The work in early May involves mostly cleaning after the winter - I am expecting some mold inside the boat and grime from the winter on the decks. We will be living in the boat yard and that means up and down a ladder while the showers and toilets are a short walk away. There is also a washer available with a place to hang your laundry. In case you just love cleaning and living in a boat yard - you're welcome to join me.

On the positive and fun side, there is social life with other boat owners; we often have barbecues together, there is a great taverna (Panos) close by, table tennis, books to swap, and we have access to lovely places for walks, Roman and Venetian ruins, a beach for swimming, free rides to Preveza and bus to anywhere else. (Scroll down to see some photos.)

What I am offering to those of you who like this kind of thing, is a "shared work, shared expenses and shared fun" adventure. To give you an idea of what this involves - if you were to work 6 hours a day, it wouldn't cost you anything for bunk and board, but I know from past experience that six hours is a lot of time. For three hours of work a day, you would get your accommodation and access to all the facilities and fun things to do, but I'd expect a contribution to the food bill. The amount would depend on whether you wanted to eat out sometimes or if you are a vegetarian or not - 5-10 Euros a day is a good ball park figure to keep in mind. Hey, where can you live in Greece for 5-10 Euros a day? Also, if you want to check other opportunities exchanging work for room and board, take a look at www.helpx.net.

Anyway, I hope to be finished with the cleaning and in the water in about a week and then we would sail. Once we sail, there won't be much work to do unless you have special boat maintenance skills (electrical, mechanical or carpentry). Perhaps sanding in preparation for varnishing but I won't know about that until I get there. While we sail, I will be asking for a contribution to the expenses. Of course, if you have an adventure of your own to trade - like a car or a scooter on one of the islands, or kayaking trips on Zakinthos, or hikes on Ithaca, lets talk.

Back soon.