Launched and Moved

Airstream is comfortably side tied, a rare situation in the Med, at the city marina in Preveza. I've got nice neighbors, mostly Brits, the weather has been good, generally clear but a hair chilly at night, and the boat work has gone very well.

City Marina, Preveza

Cleopatra found an Italian built water heater that would fit the space available although the capacity is about half of the one I had ordered. The installation went well and they claim this is a good quality unit. It seems to work fine, time will tell. Ultimately the 'technical department'  at Cleopatra, Vassilis and crew, proved themselves to be competent and caring

Quick Marine 25 liter water heater

The launch went very well. Cleopatra's marina staff is very experienced and professional and things happen on time and at the convenience of the customer,  they have all the right moves down. No drama!  Compared to Marmaris Yacht Marina these guys are quite wonderful.

hardstand to hydraulic trailer

trailer to travel lift

wireless remote control, no less!

to launch

Success!

But, there was a tragic accident a couple days ago. A large hydrofoil ferry was being hauled and during the process one of the young Greek dockside guys got a leg caught in a line and it took his foot off at the ankle. He is a nice kid and the son of one of the ladies in the marina taverna. Hopefully he'll rehabilitate well, he's young and fit,  but life will not be easy for awhile.

Hydrofoil ferry on Cleopatra's 300 ton travel lift

Preveza has proven to be  very nice and I've got to know it a lot better than last year. Its not really a tourist destination although of course there is some foreign tourism. Its a small  city of about 20,000 (I guess) and the scene is very much a bustling modern Greek seaside town  with some charming old neighborhoods, a lovely and friendly place.

City front quay, Preveza

So I've been doing the million and one little jobs needed to get the boat ready for the season and looking respectable. Everything from routine engine maintenance, electrical trouble shooting to bending  on sails, I'm a man of many skills. Master of none, unfortunately, but usually I can slide by.  Today I've got to the point where there's a little more polishing of topsides to complete and I will disassemble and clean the entire Racor fuel filter, not just change the element. There's enough crud in our main diesel tank that seems to be unremovable that the whole filter needs to be done every year, at least. I'll start getting the interior ready for inspection, actually it wintered pretty well, because the Janet will be here in nine days! Pretty darn exciting, my sweetie getting closer every day. Come on Babe, I miss you!

Love to all,
Bill & Janet
SV Airstream