April

Summer has arrived in Aghios Nikolaos, tourists have started arriving and gift shops opened.

The fridge is finished and working well - the saving on power is well worth the effort - now it should run off just solar power even when the weather warms up. It has been lined with insulation board then several layers of fibre glass and gelcoat. Just need to glue the insulation onto the lid - might even have ice cubes later!

GOODBYE SKYLARK II AND ROSA DI VENTI

A lovely evening spent in Elounda with our friends David, Lindsay, Chris and Desi. This picture is looking down into the bay with Rosa di Venti and Skylark II anchored off the shore. The next morning they both headed off - Rosa on her way to Venice and Skylark to the Ionian. They will then meet up again next winter in Sicily.

The Hope restaurant where we had a wonderful meze supper - on a lane out of Elounda. 

SATURDAY RAMBLE

Probably our last Saturday ramble, probably the best walk so far. Saw 4 different types of orchid - bee, runway, monkey, slipper.

that is where we are heading! No ropes required we walked round and up a steep climb at the back of this rock. Just on the right end at the top is a church.

The walk is in Anne's book and is called the 3 churches walk. Anne lives in Aghios Nikolaos and leads these walks.

Very old frescos in the tiny church.

Left our rucksacks etc here while we went up the rock.

The view back down the valley we have walked up.

Another 3 types of orchid.

The group at the church on top of that rock. Anne standing, Hilary and Ray in the foreground, Christine, Anne's American friend in pink and Gilly and Steve who have just arrived at the marina to pick up their boat. A much smaller group than usual as people are leaving or getting ready to leave. It was fairly blowy up here but that nasty black cloud behind us soon cleared.

The walk back down - just magnificent scenery!

HAULING OUT DAY!!

Serenity leaves her berth where she has been for six months.

Skipper looking cool, calm and collected - glad he is helming to take the boat into the slings!

Not a good idea to helm with your eyes closed!!

Early morning view while we waited for our turn.

Into the slings and being lifted out of the water - a hold your breath moment!! Roussos standing on the right of the picture is controlling all of this remotely.

A bit mucky underneath but last year's antifouling has worked well (Thanks John!)

Having her bottom washed!!

Amazing colours across the bay - picture doesn't really do it justice - and no, the sea doesn't really go uphill!

Roussos steering the frame through the boatyard with only inches to spare at some points. Each wheel is controlled independently and 15 tons of boat is held on two slings!

Into position and lowered onto a cradle.

New antifouling applied. 

Living up in the air for a few days - view from the deck looking down to D pontoon to the right.