We had originally been scheduled to launch around the 9^th April, hence our placement on the hard standing in front of Grey Hippo who was scheduled for early May. However for whatever reason he changed his mind and wanted in earlier. That meant we would have to be moved to another spot prior to us launching.

I did try, and almost succeeded, in being ready for the same day Grey Hippo was going in but just couldn’t make it.

So for a couple of days we were moved just adjacent to the lifting bay to do the antifouling.

In the end we launched on the 18^th March, about 3 weeks earlier than planned.

The upsides were we could start loading the boat a bit more leisurely than usual.

Normally you are allowed 5 days free in the water after launching but because we had been forced into launching earlier this wasn’t enforced and even in the end the marina didn’t charge for 4 days extra out with our contract on the day we left the marina.

Normally both Louise & I polish Camira and it is a tiring job but due to Louise’s shoulder injuries it’s just not possible for her to accomplish some tasks even though she wants to, especially polishing!

Well this year we met up with Javier, a Spanish hombre, who was working on Nicolas’s boat replacing the calking on the deck . We met earlier in the year at Kleanthis’ yard as we had money left by Nicolas to give to him.

By chance he was also polishing the hull of the boat  Grey Hippo, immediately behind us in Samos Marina, and what a job he was making! The guy is a perfectionist and extremely hard working. So we thought why not ask for a price to polish Camira.

Last year, the first time we had not done it ourselves, we were left a bit disappointed but we knew Javier would be excellent. On getting the price it was understandably expensive at 1,500 euros. He was also training Dimitri in the marina and, unselfishly trying to help, he suggested we could cut a deal for about half if we paid Dimitri direct but this would still incur a hefty 20% uplift for the marina!

In the end after seriously considering it, we politely declined and I decided to challenge myself to try to emulate at least in part the finish achieved by Javier. I was up for the challenge but not overly optimistic I would be anywhere near as good. I borrowed Nicolas’ rotary sander & I had my drill which I bought polishing adapters for and an expensive 3M cutting & polishing product from Nectarios.

Off we go  …………

I think I spent two complete days on the hull a one more with the help of Louise on the topsides. We think she looked brilliant when we had finished and all it cost was 66 euros and a bit of effort.

We got some admiring glances and comments from passersby and the pinnacle complement was that Javier himself thought it was fantastic.

I did manage to catch my electric drill in Lily’s netting, shorted the cables and nearly knocked myself out with the drill battering me on the noggin!

Well pleased though & even looking forward to next year’s attempt – although I will have to replace the now defunct electric drill with a battery one !

Final result & sneaky comparison to Grey Hippo

Not bad for a 40 year old boat?

Dave & Ian came for a mini break arriving Friday morning and leaving Sunday afternoon.

Day one (Friday) having picked them up at the airport we had breakfast at the house where Louise opened her birthday presents before we went into Samos town for coffees. Afterwards a circular tour of the island via Marathocampos, where we had lunch in the mountain village, and then back to the house.

Day two (Saturday) started with breakfast in the garden and chilled until mid day, down to Pythagorio for lunch, then back to the house to just catch up on (even more) news.

Day three (Sunday) spent in the garden with Dave & Louise braving the pool before heading back to the airport for their flight back to Blighty.

A lovely visit that ended all too soon.

At the beginning of April I flew out to Malta for a few days to see Billy’s new boat and lend a hand on his 1^st outing with ropes etc.

What a beauty she is.

Fiddler’s Dream is just a “fill in boat “until his brand new bigger Marlaud ordered but not yet built is commisioned & launched in America.

I had not seen him for some time and Jayne his wife for even longer so it was great to meet up with them again.

He had the original captain flown out to help with the inaugural voyage and basically explain all the electronic wizardry & iron out any remaining issues.

So in all there were four of us on board for the 1^st outing and it went like clockwork.

I unfortunately could only stay for 5 days as we had Dave & Iain coming for a visit to Samos.

We managed to fit in a visit to the local sights and a few lovely restaurants near the marina.

It was great to catch up & the plan is to meet up somewhere later who knows possibly in Greece?