30 July 06 - Getting our feets wet

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Today it was hot and humid... whats new?

The information we get from the Greek people about someone turning up and doing major work on our master cabin was wrong. Nobody turned up.. whats new?

The vessel is still dirty, dusty and uncomfortable to live in... whats new?

We got our feets wet... THATS new!

Nikolai cleaned up the dinghy and got a plug into the much too small hole, somehow... We decided to try out the dinghy engine so using the crane, we placed it on the dinghy, found the fuel tank and tried to start it... it started without problems... cool... stuff working!

Well.. as the captain, Nikolai thought I should have the honor of the first ride in the dinghy... what a joy! Finally sailing! Although not the original way planned, but nonetheless a nice experience.

Soeren and I worked on rearranging the net around the aft corner seats... only with success on one of them as we had difficulties unscrewing the other one... but we will make another attempt later on.

We also tried lowering the land bridge to under the water level. It works beautifully as a bath ladder as it goes a good distance into the water.

Next to us, a middleaged american couple yesterday had chartered a 38 feet boat without crew, and this morning they sailed out. In the afternoon, Nikolai came running and said someone had engine problems and wanted to help, as our dinghy was still in the water next to Dimitris. He sailed out and the rest of us walked out on the pier to see what was happening. It turned out to be the american family who couldnt start the engine due to a dead battery. We helped them in, secured the boat to the pier, and as they had no phones, called for them to the charter agency to get assistance.

Think we earned a couple of points for Denmark there :)

Later we went out eating in a place near the marina, called the Kitchenbar.

Of problems, our 220V generator is still causing us headache. We installed a new battery yesterday and started it and left it running for about an hour to charge the battery, but today the battery was completely flat again. I got a hunch that the 12v generator part may not be working... something more for Panos to look at... at the sellers expense.

I seriosly doubt we will get the winch installed at all. The work has diminshed quite alot as they are not going to make the floor overall with new wood, they are not going to rebuild Katharinas room and they seemingly arent going to install the winch. That must give some discount then... actually I think that wont happen... they are definitely trying to get the original price... oral agreements dont work very well down here. Well.. aslong that the master cabin is working and in good condition I suppose I have to be happy. The rest can be fixed later on. Just, as with the schedule, very annoying that agreements cant be trusted.

Weve also found something else strange for Panos to look at... the refrigiators and fridge is stopping to work when I turn off the 12V charger fed by landpower. Seems very odd.

Im sure more things will turn up and more things will have to be fixed when we have left Athens. Im pressing very hard for leaving Wednesday morning, and Panos told me that it seems likely to be possible. But I also remember that Ive been told quite alot of things here which simply didnt work out within any agreed timeframes.

Ive tried to contact Gerson and Andrew to hear if they are still go regarding departing Wednesday. Gerson would have to come to Athens, while Andrew would be picked up in Messina. I have unfortunately not been able to get hold of them on mobile, but have sent them an SMS. We will however go asap with our existing crew regardless if Andrew or Gerson will be available. We will however have a problem when getting to the UK as both Soeren and Nikolai will disembark there.

But thats something to figure out later on the trip... probably we can find a couple of hands there to crew for the remaining part to DK. If you are reading this and want to participate from either Gibraltar, Portugal or United Kingdom to Nakskov Denmark, SMS me at +45 41 44 05 17.

Here are some pictures of our first true sailing here:

 

Soeren and Kim going fast

Katharina like to sail too

Dinner in Kitchenbar