Cruising to Greece and back.

After sailing back from Greece to Portishead, in October 2019 Tobin Bronze was transported back to Wadswick for a major re-fit. In July 2022, TB was re-launched into Portishead Marina.

Vessel Name: Tobin Bronze
Vessel Make/Model: 35ft cold moulded plywood sloop
Hailing Port: Bristol
Crew: Peter and Judy Ward
About:
Launched in 1985. After one year sailing in the Bristol Channel, TB has been sailed for 22,500 plus miles by Peter, Judy, Charlotte, Ben and Sofie - firstly based in Dartmouth and then in South Brittany. [...]
24 October 2019 | Portishead Entrance Lock
08 June 2019
27 November 2018
30 June 2018
18 November 2017
03 July 2016 | Agmar Marine Boatyard. Partheni, Island of Leros
30 October 2015
01 October 2014 | Kilada to Orei
25 November 2013
19 July 2013
26 June 2013 | Koilada
01 December 2012
01 November 2012 | Koilada
29 September 2011

Spring and early summer - 2013

26 June 2013 | Koilada
PW
Over the winter I bought quite a bit of kit for TB - some to replace old stuff, like the anchor chain, and some for improving the boat, such as an anchor winch, new light-weight Fortress anchor and solar panels. I also had some parts from an old Volvo engine I had found on eBay to be used as spares. So we decided that we would drive down to Greece taking all the gear with us.

I also had an extensive work list for maintenance to be done with the main priority being to replace the ply on the transom where rain-water had got into the ply. When I built TB I hadn't sealed the chainplate entry through the deck and consequently very quickly rot had set in. In only a couple of years after launch, I had noticed the deterioration and had sealed the chainplates properly. But the damage had been done and even though there was no further deterioration and the structural effect was negligible, it was unsightly. By taking the car, I could take all my tools with me.

We took the Mitsubishi 7-seat with the seats folded down and loaded to the gunnels with gear, leaving on the evening of Sunday 31 March. The route was to Portsmouth, onto the ferry to Caen, then south on the first class roads in France through Le Mans, across the Loire at Tours, SE to Vierzon, S almost to Clermont Ferrand and E via Lyon to Chambery near the Italian border where we stopped the first night. The only navigational error all day was when I missed the turn-off in Lyon. We did see the correct exit but I was in the wrong lane and couldn't get across. We soon got back on track.

Next morning we crossed into Italy via the 13km long Tunnel du Frejus, crossed northern Italy south of Turin, past Parma, then south down the Adriatic coast to Al Castella near Pescara. Here we stopped in a delightful B&B just below the walls of the old castle.

Next stage was south to Bari, onto the Seafast ferry to Patras. From Patras it was a relatively short 2½ hour drive to Koilada. The whole trip was only about 2,400km (1,500 miles).

We had ten days in Koilada working on the boat. We stayed in the Pepista Sunset Apartments which has a lovely peaceful location just over the hill from the village itself.

Then we drove back! I must admit it was nice to get home.

As I didn't get all the maintenance done that I would have liked to, we returned to Greece on 15 May but decided to fly this time. Our friend Valarie who lives in the village came with us for a holiday. She had never been to mainland Greece before. Easyjet flew us from Gatwick to Athens. We hired a car and drove to Koilada arriving around 22:00hrs. We had arranged with Lepista Sunset for late arrival. For the next 10 days Judy and Val did the tourist bit with the hire car while I got on with the maintenance.. Epidaurus, Porto Heli, Ermioni, Spetses, Hydra were all "done". Judy also was chief "gopher" when I needed anything and wielded the paint bush when necessary on TB.

There are a few photos in album "Spring 2013".

We flew back to Gatwick arriving around mid-night on Sunday 26 May.
Comments
Tobin Bronze's Photos - Main
Photos 1 to 3 of 3
1
Tobin Bronze going out in the 1967 Melbourne Cup.
 
1
A relaxed summer in the Bristol Channel.
11 Photos
Created 15 January 2023
A 34 year old Tobin Bronze was badly in need of an extended boat yard visit to undergo some serious maintenance.
10 Photos
Created 31 October 2022
Last leg along west coast of France, across the Channel, around Lands End and into the Bristol Channel
18 Photos
Created 23 June 2021
Last leg in the Med.
12 Photos
Created 23 June 2021
From Bonefacio up the west coast to Calvi
12 Photos
Created 23 June 2021
From Cagliari up the west coast to Strait of Bonifacio
15 Photos
Created 22 June 2021
Ragusa to Trapani including road trip to Mt Etna
46 Photos
Created 19 June 2021
Malta to Sicily May 2019
11 Photos
Created 15 May 2019
Leros to Malta. 30 Aug to 25 Sep 2018.
39 Photos
Created 19 November 2018
22 May to 19 June 2018
30 Photos
Created 29 July 2018
Sept 2017. Dodecanese Islands
20 Photos
Created 20 October 2017
Dodecanese Islands
23 Photos
Created 24 June 2017
Cruising from Orei. Evia to Leros in the Dodcanese in May, June
18 Photos
Created 30 October 2016
Launch from Orei, sail north to Thessaloniki, around the Khalkidhiki paninsula and Mt Athos to Nea Peramos.
17 Photos
Created 14 December 2015
22 Photos
Created 15 October 2014
Re-launch in Kilada to Orei, Evia in early July
16 Photos
Created 22 July 2014
13 Photos
Created 18 May 2014
A late summer cruise to the northern Cyclades
18 Photos
Created 20 January 2014
Cruise to Crete
11 Photos
Created 19 July 2013
Visits to Koilada May & june 2013
11 Photos
Created 9 June 2013
From Kalamata to the Argolic Gulf in July 2012
57 Photos
Created 12 January 2013
From Messolonghi to Kalamata May 2012
45 Photos
Created 10 January 2013
Italy to Zakinthos and Messolonghi
15 Photos
Created 24 November 2011
Lipari, Vulcano and Stromboli - three of the Aeolian Islands
30 Photos
Created 24 November 2011
Sardinia and Sicily Sept 2011
19 Photos
Created 24 November 2011
Sailing from Cartagena to Sardinia
24 Photos
Created 24 November 2011
Sailing TB from Faro to Cartagena in June and July 2011
64 Photos
Created 9 August 2011
Sailing on John's boat 'Derby Lass'
20 Photos
Created 6 August 2011
Delivery trip with Woody from Vigo to Lisbon when John Q. met us. Then to Ohao where Judy replaced John for a trip up the Guardina River.
41 Photos
Created 1 October 2010
June - July in the Rias Baixas, Galicia
26 Photos
Created 8 August 2010
Six days on the "Dunmow Flitch" between Braunston and Market Harborough in April 2010.
26 Photos
Created 1 June 2010
Lay up for winter in Cangas
17 Photos
Created 27 October 2009
Newport R.I.,Cuttyhunk Island, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket
48 Photos
Created 17 September 2009
Highlights of the trip from Viveiro to Ria de Vigo.
34 Photos
Created 2 August 2009
Hugh pod of dolphins encountered 10:30hrs 04 June at approx 44º24'N; 006º32'W
18 Photos
Created 23 June 2009
Between 02 June and 04 June 2009 from La Roche Bernard to Ribadeo in Galicia, Spain
11 Photos | 1 Sub-Album
Created 18 June 2009
Port de Foleux is about 15 miles up the Villaine River, 6 miles upstream from La Roche Bernard
4 Photos
Created 18 June 2009