End of an Era

Trizonia "Marina"

A very early start saw Anne Marie off the boat to catch the 5am bus to Athens, a few hours later (when it was daylight) we headed for

Trizinia "village"

Trizona. We had enjoyed our stay there some 7-8 years ago and were looking forward to a few nights there again. It wasn't quite the same without our friends around us but still a great safe place to be stuck when the wind is blowing hard and from the wrong direction.

Rion Bridge in the Gulf of Patra

Eventually the wind eased and we headed off west under the Rion bridge, an impressive sight which never looks high enough for you to go under until your under it and then there's lots of room. We stopped in Messolongi where we were welcomed by a crew we hadn't seen since Kalamata, Merv & Sandra from Aphrodite although they had changed their boat and are now with Gitano. We caught up on each others news and were treated to a Lidl's and Carrefour run to stock up before heading into the Ionian.

So much for light winds and quiet nights when we reach the Ionian. Our first anchorage was windy and rough well into the night, surprising for a shallow, well protected bay. By morning it was calm. We moved on to a favourite anchorage of ours when we were last in the Ionian to be very disappointed to find a 110ft long dutch barge anchored in one arm with at least 6 lines ashore

110ft barge and sunken boats

fromvarious parts of the boat and in the other arm of the anchorage was two abandoned yachts one of which had sunk. We were put off though or rather we weren't going back out into wind and sea that had picked up. We found a spot and tied back with a couple of lines ashore and stayed two nights. This was when we found that the batteries had truly come to the end of their life and needed replacing urgently. A longer trip than we originally planned saw us out in rough seas and stronger winds than forecast, well until it stopped when we got to the north coast of Meganisi. We decided to stop in Vlikho bay for the night before heading up to Lefkas town to part with some money for the new batteries. Not as much as we feared but enough!


Having fitted the batteries, Rusty Beaver (Colin & Jean) moored alongside us and we caught up with their news and decided to do a little cruising together, heading the following day to Abelike Bay, another

Another downpour in Abelike Bay

favourite spot. This saw the first of several days of heavy downpours followed by sunshine and then the traditional evening BBQ. We decided we needed to give the batteries a proper charge and went into the "new" marina in Vathy on Meganisi. It really was an extension to the town quay with some laid lines and a breakwater with a cost that took in the width of your boat as well as the length. We did have good protection though for the next downpour and strong winds that came through! The boat was getting several wash offs.

More rain!

A nice place that we found was Palaros on the mainland coast, a small harbour with no charge and free water. The town was good for shopping, if up a steep hill and there was some good tavernas at the right prices away from the main tourist areas. The beach was idyllic at the end of the breakwater and with the water tap behind the boat there was no rush to leave, we stayed 6 nights before moving on.

We moved on to some other anchorages with some good sailing to get to them  but the anchorages were getting busy with yachts and uncomfortable with wind and waves at times. P was really not enjoying it as much as she use to, worrying and not sleeping when the boat was moving around at anchor. Things were changing and after some days of discussing it we made a sign for the back of the boat, For Sale!!

Crazydream

Time to carry on though as the Normans were soon due out on their annual holiday but this year they were hiring a Sunsail boat with all the family and not staying on Crazydream. We planned to meet them in Lefkas and we or rather P decided we'd go into the marina, bugger the expense. Yes it was expensive, 40€ plus VAT, water, electric and showers. It was Solent prices or more! There also happens to be a yacht broker on site and we went to see them out of curiosity and what price they would try to get for the boat. Well when they said they'd try for 45K we filled in the forms and had pictures taken thinking it would take months or years for anything to happen, G thinking they won't get that for it.

Supplies to "Maggie May"

We had a great time sailing alongside the Normans on Maggie May for a week, a different holiday for both, Crazydream was the store vessel for Maggie May with condiments being handed over mid voyage as lunch was being served! BBQ's most nights, not easy to cook for 8 on a boat size BBQ but G managed and the

Crazydream with Maggie May

week went by very quickly and we headed back up to Lefkas with Maggie May as we intended to go north from there. That plan changed as we saw some other cruisers that we had not seen for many years just before we entered the Lefkas canal, Miss Sophie, Harriet and Gustaf.

Having seen the Normans off we headed back down the canal to meet up with Miss Sophie and to catch up on all their news, hours flew by and we ended the evening with a lunch invite for the next day. That's when our lives changed.

A phone call from the yacht broker, we have a couple who would like to view your boat - today. The spec had not even gone live but this Russian couple were very interested. So lunch was cancelled and a rush to

meet the broker in Nidri for the viewing. Cut a long story short and after some negotiating we accepted an off for Crazydream subject to a test sail an survey the following day. That all went well with the surveyor only picking up some dampness around the deck fittings - quite normal for a 30 year old boat. And so

Crazydream was sold. We were numb and shocked to say the least. It wasn't meant to happen that quick but we couldn't turn down the offer what if no one else ever looked at her let alone offer a good price. So many people are still trying to sell their boats years later. It was definitely too soon for G who was still

 Belongings for the Pallet

enjoying the sailing, stronger wind the better. Following an email out to friends we know that he will still be able to get his fix if need be. Further shock was to be had in that the Russians wanted the sail to go through quickly and we had two weeks to clear our stuff off. They paid half the coast of a berth in Lefkas and we started the job of what  to keep and what not. 250kg on a pallet was shipped home, 3 hold luggage bags

and some extra bits sent home with Kathryn who was staying on board the last week we owned Crazydream.

Crazydream

She had booked her flights just before we knew we sold her and so spent a strange holiday on board in the marina with day trips out in a car. We had had our last sail on Crazydream and could not take her out again, it would have been too emotional for both of us.

An end of an era, 14 great years on a great boat with lots and lots of memories. Now to plan the next adventure.