Thekla Studios Lassi

... and the close confines of living in a big car we head off to New Zealand for 5 weeks (in another camper van). Next destination is Fiji for 2 weeks as we'll need a holiday by then, and in then onto the Cook Islands. Final destination is New York but not before a 3 week road trip in California to wrestle bears in Yosemite (Bill) and drink wine in Napa Valley (Katie)

... old days, but everything has changed now.

Even us, have changed so much.



Nico left Evia, and lives with his new wife in Kefalonia now. He seems so calm and seems to enjoy his new life. I was pleased to see him and we all remembered the good old days when he was in Evia with us. He promised to come to Evia and see us, and we shall arrange Music nights like those days again.
ARGOSTOLI , Greece greekcypriot

... second major port of Kefalonia connecting it with Italy and one of the most important touristic sea resorts.



The surrounding area contains springs with large quantities of fresh water flowing all year round, is densely-vegetated and presents many geological phonomena (underground lakes, caves and precipieces).



Apart from the Lake of Melissani and the cave of Drogarati, the famous caves of ...

... looming up in the distance.

Numerous yachts cast anchor in its picturesque small port with the fishing boats.

Coves with sublime beaches surround it. The village has its Venetian citadel, built on the top of a hill protected its inhabitants against pirates' frequent raids and emanates an atmosphere of mystery.

... going through mountainous traditional villages that have thick evergreen vegetation and give one the opportunity of having a look at seafaring, much afflicted Ulysses’ Ithaca to the east.



Following this route we come to the historic Monastery of Themata, dedicated to Virgin Mary, situated on the top of a densely vegetated hill.

... and if he stresses me I am going to leave. So, he tries to be patient with me.



It is cloudy outside, and from time to time the boat is rocking.

When I try to walk to some friends, I find that I cannot keep my balance and the others laugh. Everyone who tries walking seems to be as if he is under the ...

... and backing the jib to get round the confusingly slow process of tacking a catamaran. The speed and acceleration of these things (it was a Hobie Pacific, 18 feet long and a mile wide and high) is incredible - it is certainly important to give wide berths as a collision when both parties are doing 20 knots is an unpleasant thought. However after a while I started to enjoy the ride, and will be doing more raising hull at the next opportunity.

Our ...

... a bit lucky by hitting Ionian Regatta week here, so one of the holiday companies was short handed and took us on for work experience as we are known to them as repeat offender holidaymakers. Had a whale of a time; got asked to do beginner catamaran instruction (fortunately we had been forewarned and had swotted up) so there I was teaching a friendly Belgian couple how to tack and gybe two hulls at once. They speak good English and wanted to learn ...

... upwind.

As this is supposed to be a travel journal, it is just as well we had a day out in a hire car, seeing some of the rest of Lefkada for the first time in our 15 weeks spent in Vassiliki. (shocking!) The island is stunningly scenic and also still quite traditional, complete with donkeys, potholed roads, inaccurate maps and little ladies in black costumes with bustles. First stop was the West coast, to ...

... family in UK, especially Raymond for the excellent barbecue and ultra-convenient pre-flight accommodation, Andy and Fiona, and of course parents, sisters and in-laws. Meanwhile the results of
Team GB's sailors show we picked the sport that the British can do! We've also enjoyed reading the report of IBRSC's trysail race night; looks like it all went really well and enjoy the curry.gotta dash, time to settle down on the patio in the warm breeze and do my final pre-course reading...