The last post of Camira Cruise …. maybe forever …. who knows ?

Well believe it or not I am, as usual, well behind with my Blog updates.

It’s now Sunday 19^th July !!! and we are in France, have been since 14^th April. So this is in fact a retrospective wind up of the sailing blog that started way back on the Clyde in 2012 , the year of my “retiral”

Another day in Paradise’s neighbouring olive trees have been cut back like an Brazilian rain forest, the place looks totally different but definitely more light is getting in. I hope Corinna likes it. That together with all the garden clearance work having been done over the last month by Dino, Poppy and us will certainly make it easier for Corinna & Ton to fine tune “ Paradise” to her satisfaction, when her & Ton arrive next week.

The Olive tree Massacre

Dino, Poppy & their daughter Zoe

Garden looking lovely with palm trees cut back

We emptied and cleaned the pool which had suffered badly from the winter rains and the bottom was covered in sand. It was a hot tiring job but a a cool dip in a clean pool was the order of the day’s reward, well the day after ! That’s how long it takes to fill it up.

Other “Paradise “ events included:

The continuing bureaucratic preps for going to France all under the watchful eye of the financial director.

And the Auld gits 70^th birthday celebs – ffs where did the time go ?

Amongst the prezzies a bottle of “champers” that I have left on Camira for our return , whenever that may be ……

…… and a Greek Coast Guard Polo top that I have created for over the years. Louise managed to buy me one but only under the proviso by the shop that I don’t wear it in public, think it’s illegal.

Maybe once I am out of Greece I will risk it – as yet to this day 19^th July – it sits folded in the wardrobe in France. I am waiting until I have the anatomy of said coastguards ……. may be a while eh?

Louise was going to have a house party but the logistics, people and nearness to our departure just made that untenable.

Marina issues:

Its going to be hard leaving Caramel who now accepts & runs up to me having fed her all winter.

Update: She is still doing well (July 26) and has had another litter of babies – pictures courtesy of Dany & Stella.

Well done wee mama !

Camira is all wrapped up with a tarpaulin to protect the windows over the coming year. We have arranged for her to be lifted as soon as a space becomes available hopefully late April / early May. Brain & Sara have offered to stow fenders, drop the anchor etc. for us.

The penultimate day was Marco’s annual Easter bash with roast lamb & goat on the spit, though you had to be quick to beat the greedy b@@@@rs at the far end of the table to get a decent portion. I didn’t but a lovely day it was anyway & very generous of Marco as usual.