Bons time onboard.

We went for a second test sail, and this time Bon just sat back and enjoyed the view, while I sailed Nanjo. After another four hour sail, I'm glad to say that Bon was ok. It was only a light wind, and no indication on what could happen on our trip to Corfu. But the good news, was the trip was on.
After saying farewell to everybody and putting some supplies on Nanjo, we set off for a long trip to Kalamos on the 14th May. If Bon started to feel bad, there was always the options to stop at Petala, Astokos or Kastos to shorten the trip. Typically we had very little wind, and what there was ended up being on the nose. We motorsailed all the way to Kalamos, it was a lovely trip in calm waters, passing the islands as we went along. My logbook shows a distance of 41.4 nautical miles at a 4.6knts average and a 9hr trip. As we motored past Kastos I was amazed at the number of masts in the harbour and even seeing yachts anchored outside. Approaching Kalamos it looked pretty full as well. Luckily just inside the harbour entrance there was a small space between a large cat and a yacht alongside, for me to put Nanjos bow. My first moor up in years and it went perfectly. The Bruce anchor Peter had given me in Messolonghi really dug in well. After a meal at Georges and a look around the harbour, it was an early night for both of us.
The rest of the trip to Corfu went all to plan, we stopped at Spartakhori, Spillia taverna jetty. I hadn't seen the old boys for years, and I was surprised when he remembered Nanjo and my name. We had a good meal and climbed to the great view point up the hill. For a treat I took Bon to Lefkas marina, the 28 euro charge was not as bad as I expected to be honest, and it's a great place to moor up. Bon enjoyed looking around all the souvenir shops, I honestly think we visited each one! I filled up both fuel tanks here.
The new Preveza marina worked out well for us, as we arrived late on a Sunday and were told the harbour master had gone home. Free electric and water and as we planned to leave at 7am the next day a free berth as well. We spent the next day dolphin watching in the gulf, after motoring up and down for 5 hours though, I was about to give up and call it a day. Then Bon spotted a large school of dolphins and suddenly the day was all worthwhile, we even managed to get a few pictures of them playing near Nanjo. It was soon time to head back to the marina, and another free night. While we were there we met a couple of young guys Harry and Tommy working on a 60ft wooden cabin cruiser built in the 1950's. Pictures they had showed it was an amazing boat back in it's heyday, when it was chartered on the South of France. But now, needing some serious woodwork. The highlight of a tour of the boat for me was Tommy firing up the two V8 Detroit diesels, an amazing sound, and apparently they were tank engines. I would hate to think of the diesel consumption, compared to Nanjos 1 litre per hour!

We left Preveza on the 19th May and headed straight for Lakka on Paxos, it was to be another motorsail day. The seas were pretty calm until we were just passed the half way point, when we had a large swell and head winds. Nanjo only had her main up, and a sudden gust leaned her over about 25 degrees. Within minutes of this the engine spluttered and died! A quick look around and check of the primary filter, showed the glass bowl to be full of gunk. Draining this away helped give clean fuel but no starting. I topped up the tank from my spare container, and was surprised to see it take about 20 litres. I had filled up both tanks at Lefkas marina, or so I had thought. Now I realised why the fuel bill was so low. After bleeding the system, my trusty Yanmar fired up and settled down to it's regular thump. My log shows we left Preveza at 06:45 and dropped anchor in 1.8mtrs of water at Lakka at 15:00. A good trip, and Bon was feeling okay as well. Pumping up the dinghy for a run ashore, then a snooze before another trip ashore for dinner. What a nice easy life I lead.

Lakka to Benitses was our next trip, and the weather started out dull but the sun soon burned that all away, and it was a full on sunbathing day. Bon went for a swim as we approached Benitses in 40mtrs of water and 1.8 miles offshore. Her last swim of the trip. I managed to find a small space in the harbour and went bow on as usual. I wasn't surprised to see a lot of the same boats still here from my last visit years ago. It's a free harbour and has excellent protection. The towns not changed much either. I caught up with Nick, a guy I had last met in Benitses and the owner of another Dromor. We had a good night ashore and walked out of town for a fair bit just to have a look around.

The next morning was to be Bons last trip on Nanjo, we left Benitses and went to Mandraki harbour situated just under the old fort at Corfu town. The harbour master found me a place and for 24 euros a night, with water and electric it wouldn't break the bank. We had a lovely stroll around the town and fort, but to be honest it's really just to busy and commercial for me. The sight of three large cruise liners in the harbour only confirmed my worst fears. The number of shops selling souvenir tat and not being able to walk past a bar/taverna without being virtually dragged in was not for me. Bon enjoyed her stay. I had spotted a new small harbour on my walk to a small machine shop to get some new plastic rollers made up for my jib track, and decided I would head there as soon as Bon left.
Saturday morning came around quick enough, and a phone call for a taxi and a 15minute trip to the airport, and I was soon waving goodbye to Bon as she went through passport control. It had been a great month for me having her onboard, and her help in fixing the stanchion bases was invaluable. The time had gone very quickly, I think for both of us.
I walked back from the airport to the machine shop, picked up my repaired rollers and was soon back on Nanjo. 30 minutes later I had cast off my mooring lines and motored out of Mandraki. 20 minutes later I was tied up alongside in the new harbour, only a twenty yard walk to a taverna and cold Mythos and two minutes from town. Another free harbour for me to enjoy. I had a great sleep, as there was very little swell from the passing ferries, unlike at Mandraki.

I left the next morning and sailed up to Gouvia fuel station and topped up both tanks. Once out past Gouvias outer bouy I switched the engine off, and hoisted all sail again. I had a fantastic day sailing back to Benitses, my log shows I sailed 22 miles for a 5 mile straight trip and an average speed of 3.8 knots. There were times when the wind died and my speed went down to 0.7 and when it picked up I hit 6.5, I was having a great time. No need to rush, all the time in the world and Nanjo back to sailing again. I eventually moored back up at Benitses again at 17:00 a trip of over 7 hours. Total engine time was 40mins. Hopefully that will be the way things go from now on.

I arrived at Benitses on Sunday 24th May, I'm writing this blog a week later and still here. Relaxing and chilling out. I've had all the bed linen cleaned at Argos, washed all my clothes using my new "wonderwash" machine. It took a bit of getting used to, but I was happy with the results it gave. It's just the amount of space it takes up in the bow cabin. I've gone through Nanjo from bow to stern, emptying every locker and rearranging stuff, making up new lists of whats where as well. I've found stuff I put onboard when I first bought Nanjo four years ago and never used, it's all ended up on the harbour wall with a "Free" sign on it all. Nanjos looking a lot tidier now. My mate Craig arrived on the Wednesday, he owns another Discovery 3000 moored two boats down from me. But the version built for ptivate use, the finish on the interior is miles above mine, and shows just how good these boats were built in the end. He's the perfect person to be Commodore of the Dromor Disco appreciation society.
Life in Benitses for me is very easy, I've done one job on my list every day, then relaxed with a beer and a chat. I can easily see how this harbour sucks people in and they never leave!!

I've no definite date to leave yet, my one big job is getting my fridge fixed in Nidri. My next guest is out in August as well, so plenty of time for me to get in some sailing and head South. I've been told of some "must visit" places on the mainland heading to Preveza, so they are on my list to visit, as I have no intention of coming any further North than Preveza again this year.
At the moment my life's as good as I hoped it would be, my works pension is enough to buy what I need and Nanjo provides me with a safe place to sleep, live and sail. What more could I really ask for?