Delivery trip in Greece

 

May 20, 2010 - Athens, Greece

After a long winter of work we were ready for a holiday and managed to grab a last minute booking on a charter company delivery trip. The trip was for 3 weeks starting in Nidri, Lefkas, Geece, where we first met. Taking a Moody 31 'Sami' to her Summer cruising ground In the NW Aegean.

Dinner with old friends

We spent a couple of days in Nidri and caught up with old friends who still lived in Greece.

Our Moody 31 Sami

Then left on 'Sami' to catch up with the rest of the Fleet of 25 boats for the journey through parts of Greece that many charter flotillas do not go. Lots of nostalgia as this was a route I had done myself a few times with the same group of boats.

Interesting Beer

Tried not to tell old stories of 'how I did it in my day', mainly by keeping busy drinking beer like this tasty local brew!

Through the Corinth Canal

We had the joy of sailing through the magnificent Corinth Canal.

Traditional Corinth canal dress and drink

And made sure we had on the traditional Coninthian Costume.

Sunset Nisos Stera

Watch magnificent sunsets from parts of Greece we had not sailed.

Swimming

Swam in turquoise waters.

View from the top of Nisos Kyra Panagia

Climbed to the top of deserted islands.

Refreshment at the top of Nisos Kyra Panagia

and enjoyed the rewards of a tough climb.

All in all a lovely was to spend 3 weeks. Unfortunately this was not earning us money, so we headed for the south of France to try to bag a job on a super yacht.

After 2 weeks of hard job hunting we headed to Italy for our first job. Unfortunately although the boat was lovely, the owner was not and we ended up back in France.

The season was well under way, work was thin on the ground, and we had our own yacht waiting in the USA. It was a tough decision on what to do next.

End of a season on Sea Gal and Winter 2010

 

January 11, 2010 - Gloucester Courthouse VA, United States

We spent the last couple of weeks on Sea Gal enjoying the Chesapeake autumn, and looking forward to central heating when we found a house to live in.

End of season sunset.

We enjoyed the last few sunsets and took some friends from the boatyard for a sail, to remind them of what it was, or show them something new.

End of season sail

Sea Gal finally got hauled out for the winter into Shroeders Yard and tucked up with anti-freeze and zip-lock bags.

Lifting SeaGal at the end of the season

Before we left there was a party, for some it was the end of the summer season, for others the start of the winter migration to the Caribbean, for the rest an excuse to drink beer and eat oysters.

Oyster roast

Lucy and Rick from 'Flying Cloud' are heading to the southern Caribbean

Shroeders end of season/new season party

We had time for a quick visit to the UK. Barney caught up with young niece and nephew Josie and Rory. Both getting bigger by the minute.

Rory and Josie

We were also lucky enough to be in the country for Paul and Marys wedding in Godstone. It was great to catch up with lots of old school friends, and very nice of them to all come to one place to save us all that travelling.

James and Becky

Bob and Nuala

Paul and Mary getting married

In December 2009 Diane and Barney started a new job in a luxury ski chalet in Veysonnaz, Switzerland

Barney had a new ride to drive in his job at Hidden Dragon.

Barney's wheels at the Hidden Dragon

An old friend, Lindsay, came to work at the Hidden Dragon chalet as the house keeper.

Lindsay an old friend, housekeeper al the Hidden Dragon.

Jon the chef picks out a new handbag.

Jon the Chef at Hidden Dragon

We met Carol Sneddon who was the therapist it the chalet

Carol, therapist at the Hidden Dragon, wears a helmet at the bar, go figure.

After half the winter season we moved back to Klosters and Davos. Stayed with an old friend Teresa and soon started work in the Chalet Tivoli.

In Davos we enjoyed the skiing and the stuff that comes after( and before and during )

Barney and Diane

In Davos the scenery was beautiful and the valleys peaceful.

A stream near Klosters

Sometimes the job included some strange duties, such as igloo building.

Igloo

Speeding South

 

October 10, 2009 - Yorktown VA, United States

After a week in Newport it was time to move on. We sailed on to Grotton CT to visit Dave who we met on the course and his wife Sue. After waiting for a few days for the weather to let us out we sailed down the Long Island sound and through New York. Spent a day washing clothes, then sped south whilst the wind was good to Ocean City MD. Our longest single trip yet of nearly 200 Miles.

After a rest in Ocean City we sailed another overnight trip to a creek near Yorktown VI. The weather then turned cold and rainy and we stayed huddled below waiting for some sunshine to help us on the last stretch of the season back to the boat yard.

Fire fighting for the STCW 95 basic training

 

October 5, 2009 - Hartford CT, United States

We stopped in Newport RI for a week in order to attend a 5 days course. The STCW95 basic training is a requirement on many commercial vessels and will enable us to work on larger yachts. The highlights of the course were the day spend fire fighting in Hartford CT and meeting lots of people in many different parts of the boating industry.

Di looking sexy

How come everyone else look sexy in this stuff

Making a mess

Barney spraying with his hose

Meeting lots of new people

Hanging with real firemen

Di with her big hose

Fighting big fires with big hoses

It got cold, so we turned back south

 

October 1, 2009 - Boothbay Harbour ME, United States

Maine coast

Towards the end of August it started to get colder, so we decided we had reached our furthest north for the year, and turned to head south. The coast of Maine was very different from the rest of the East Coast, with deep water, rugged cliffs and rocks to avoid. There were thousands of islands to explore and sail between. Definitely worth returning.

Installing the heater

The temperature was dropping and it was finally time to install the heater we had bought the year before in Deltaville.

This is the picture I would have got with a super zoom and great timing

Whilst sailing south passed Cape Cod we passed through a Right Whale designated sanctuary. We looked long and hard for hours and eventually were rewarded with a pair of whales jumping and playing. Thankfully not too close to the boat. This is the picture I would have taken with the right camera and timing.

Right whale blowing

Later in the day more whales came closer but were calmer just doing the blowing and swimming stuff.

Right whales near the boat

This time I got some pictures, but never quite at the right time, but you get the idea.

Another beautiful sunset in Maine

The weather was treating us well and we made good progress south for our training course we had booked in Newport RI.

A rare picture of us sailing

We were heading for Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, but were held in harbour by some strong winds for a few days. Luckily we had found a very sheltered bay with free moorings. When we finally left, along with others in the bay we had a great sail to Newport. We were passed by another sail boat and had the chance to take and exchange pictures of our boat under full sail.

Into Maine. Freeport via Jewel Island

 

September 27, 2009 - Freeport ME, United States

We sailed north into Maine and stopped at the Isle of Shoals. We visited Smuttynose Island in the evening and had a nice walk and met the slightly mad volunteer ranger.

Smutty nose island huts

We also met his goats

Smuttynose Island goats

Smuttynose Island goats

Next door was Star Island, a Unitarian Retreat.

Star Island Retreat. NH

We knew we were in Maine as the sea was thick with lobster pot markers.

Lobster pot markers everywhere

The main sail was on its last legs, but luckily there was a new one on its way.

Old sail dying

The day we finally found the sail was very exciting and Mr Crispy, as the sail in now known, is greatly appreciated.

New main sail

Barney did get a little carried away by the moment.

Appreciating the new sail

The island was called 'Pound of Tea' I can only assume it was cheap.

Pound of Tea Island Maine

We stopped at the beautiful Jewel Island

Anchored in Jewel Island Maine

Walking on Jewel Island

and enjoyed a long walk ashore

Walking on Jewel Island

WW2 lookout towers gave great views of the islands

WWII watch tower

WWII watch tower

View from top of the tower

It was not easy to get lost either.

Not easy to get lost on Jewel Island