Leaving Lefkas marina.

The swing bridge heading for maintenance to Piraeus.

Waiting for the replacement swing bridge to open up so I can get out.

It's a ferry, it's a bridge. It swings to let yachts and boats in and out of the Lefkas canal.

I went through that narrow gap.

Closing again to let cars and trucks across.

Out of Lefkas canal and heading north for Preveza.

Hospital Bay north of Preveza. Safe anchorage for coming westerlies. Only two boats today.

Earthquake

 Early this morning at 03:25 local time, we had an earthquake 4.3 on the Richter scale, centered 15 km west of Preveza. At 04:59 another tremor of 3.7 hit followed by 2.6. Altogether, there have been five tremors in the last two hours.
I could feel it on my boat in Actio. It felt as if a truck had hit the boat. Fortunately, nothing fell and my heart is back to beating normally, but there is no way I can go back to sleep. However, the supports for boats at Aktio Marina boatyard are very strong and secure, of which I am very glad.

Fisherman's Life in Greece

Retired at 50? Or 65? If you are a Greek fisherman you keep working as long as you are able. No fancy pension plan or retirement but plenty of hard work, friendships, satisfaction and independence. Here is a scene from the quay side in Preveza. Jorgo arrives put - putting his trusty, blue fishing boat after picking up his nets that were left overnight, as his 80 year old wife (the one in the flowered dress in the photos) waits to catch his lines. Others wait to see what Jorgo has brought in and perhaps buy some fish for their restaurants or families. 

Expertly, Vaula catches the lines Jorgo throws, makes fast the boat to the bollards and proceeds to sell his catch as he tidies up the vessel and begins to stow the nets. 
A kilo of fresh fish sells for about 10 euros. 

Here is Vaula showing off her dress (she said she paid 5 Euros for it) and hat before getting back to selling her husband's catch.
She said she loves the sea and is happy for her and Jorgo to work as long as they are able.
She sold two trays of fish in an hour and then said her work was not done - she was going home to cook for her family, clean her home and make some cherry preserves. 
Beats sitting in a chair at the nursing home watching TV all day, in my opinion.

Back on Eidos in Aktio and Preveza

Sunrise in Aktio

I arrived in Aktio at the end of May and spent three days (with help of a young girl) cleaning! After two winters and a summer of no attention, Eidos was in a sorry state. Finally she was livable again and then it was time to check the engine, through hulls and all the rest that is required of a boat that is to go back to sea.

It took a month to launch Eidos, but finally she is floating! I found a great way to become inspired about doing drudgery maintenance jobs such as crawling into the stern bilge through a VERY small gas locker to check and lubricate valves and hose clamps - make a note in the log of EVERY job I do no matter how small.
After a month in the boat yard, I had 30 pages of jobs accomplished.