Preparing for winter.

Pepper season. These sweet peppers are now in season so I bought a whole bunch at the farmer's market and pickled some for winter. 

Thunderstorm

Eveline took the 7:20 bus to Nafplion at 7:50 and I finished my coffee, did some shopping and return to the boat just in time to put up a tarp for the rain.

At first, we had some thunder and drizzle alternating with sun.

About 2:00 in the afternoon the rain began to fall steadily. Inside the boat with all the hatches and portholes closed plus my dinner cooking it was like living in a steam bath. Fortunately, I could keep the main hatch open for a little bit of air.

Great friends and more accomplished.

My good friends, Anna and Sandis just arrived and surprised me with a bag full of goodies!

I offered them tiramisu in exchange but they were busy today unpacking and catching up on boat chores. Tomorrow!

And this morning I took my hand held vhf radio to Nick, an electronics specialist in Nidri and he made me a 12 volt charging cable. Now I should be able to charge and use the radio while anchored and underway instead of only while in a marina. 

It is strange that a portable vhf radio that might be needed in a life raft only comes with a wall socket plug in. 

This afternoon  the temperature reached 28 degrees Celsius. 

It is finally time to put away my winter clothes. I hope! 

Cloudy, depressing day and a rant with a happy ending.

I came to the IBA dock on Thursday for four reasons: so that a mechanic could do yearly maintenance on my engine; so that a canvas maker could measure Eidos for a bimini; to fill my water tanks; and to wash the boat. Also for three minor reasons: to do the laundry, to return a gas bottle, and to take my bike off the boat.  

I was happy that there was a place for Eidos on the busy dock and expected to stay one day. Once I had reservations, I confirmed with the contractors and received an affirmative reply from both.

So yesterday, I started the engine, hauled up the anchor, tied fenders on both sides, and after a lengthy wait was finally allowed to tie up. It took most of the rest of the day to wash the boat, fill the tanks, do one load of laundry, attempt to return the gas bottle, pick up parts for the engine, and get the bicycle off with help of some neighbours. 

But the mechanic who was supposed to come and change the oil and filters on my engine didn't show. Nor did he show up today, Friday.  And I received no message to explain why he didn't show. I have no idea what happened. 

The canvas maker did show up but only for five minutes to take a look. He didn't come prepared to take measurements or make a template. He said that he might come the next day in the evening, or perhaps next week - I would need to make arrangements with his secretary. So, my question is, why didn't he come prepared to make a template? I have been trying to get him to come all winter and when he finally arrives, he is not prepared. Busy, he said. 

Perhaps I should talk to his competition but he did the spray hood last summer, so I wanted the same person to do the rest of the job.

I told him that I would prefer to stay another day than leave the dock and then come back - not as easy as parking a car. He said he might be able to come Friday evening. So, this morning, his secretary wrote that he could come on Saturday at 13:00. Check out time on the pontoons is noon. This means I will have to pay for three days on the dock so that he could make the template - a job of perhaps one hour. I checked with the IBA office and they can't promise that this is possible - I may have to leave Saturday at noon. So, I am staying an extra day for nothing, just for the slight possibility that I could stay the third day and Tasos could make the template. 

I am angry. I am paying for each day I spend on the dock.

All I want is for people to keep their word and do the job they promised to do. Is this too much to ask for?

I did get a second load of laundry done but I could have done it from the anchorage as well. 

To make myself feel better I made another tiramisu.

It's raining again. Good thing the laundry is all dry and put away.

Tiramisu (Italian for 'pick me up')

Separate 2 eggs, add pinch of salt to the whites and beat them well, add 1.5 tablespoon of sugar to the egg yolks and beat them well. Add 250g of marscapone cheese to the egg yolks. Add 2 tbsp of liquor or brandy to the egg yolks. Fold the egg whites into the egg yolks gently. Spread a thin layer of mixture at the bottom of the dish. Place one layer of ladyfingers next in the dish. Don't soak them and don't split them. Dribbble a little bit of cold, strong coffee on top of each lady finger. Repeat the process by layering a generous portion of the egg mixture. The sugar side of the biscuits must face upwards. Add another layer of lady fingers sugar side up. Dribble more coffee on top. Do not let the coffee soak through too much. Add final layer of egg mixture. Before serving, sprinkle generously with cocoa powder and grated chocolate. Takes 20 minutes to make. Leave in a cold place for several hours to blend flavours and soften the ladyfingers.   Serves 8. Enjoy!

Greek Easter

 

After two years of lockdown during Easter, this year's celebration promised to be extra lavish. So, on Saturday night, my crew, Elisa and I walked to the village of Vathi to watch. And yes, we were not disappointed - the celebration was bigger than I had ever seen, even though the village is so small.

We lit our candles and said our prayers for those who have died  then returned home and made the traditional cross over the entrance with the soot from the candle.

Sunday was a glorious day and Elisa went swimming. She checked the anchor to make sure that it was not trapped under another boat's chain. All seemed well.

And then, on Sunday afternoon we joined a couple from France for a beach bbq.

Καλό Πάσχα!

All alone!

It is early in the season and this afternoon Eidos is the only yacht in the inner harbour. 

Earlier, two tripper boats full of school children came but so far no other yachts. 

Chló sewed a rip in the main sail and polished the stainless steel,

while I made tiramisu for desert  and pizza for lunch.

Sahara dust

For the past few days, we've had strong southerly winds and they have brought with them sand from the Sahara desert.

And so, all the work Chló has done cleaning the decks has come to naught. Eidos is now covered in orange powder. 

Luckily we have access to water on the Little Vathi town quay, but there is no point washing the decks until the wind shifts. Hopefully in a couple more days.

My crew is optimistic so decided to wash her hair. 

I want to keep warm, and since we no longer have electricity for the heater, decided to bake cinnamon buns.