Finally got through enough of my job lists to book the ferry back next Wednesday (23rd), sailing from Dunkerque at 0201. After spending three weeks of ten hour days doing all the minor jobs I’m pleased I didn’t buy a boat that was a project!
As the wind was a bit calmer today my neighbours Wilfred, Sabina & Don the minature shnauser on Wisa left on their journey East which means no more invites for dinner or homemade burgers being brought around. I just caught a glimpse of Don running past with his little life jacket on as I was in the shower this morning - which is a good thing as he fell in and had to be rescued yesterday. It’s strange how friendly neighbours on boats are - I still haven’t spoken to some in Nottingham after 7 months. The low wind also meant I was pestered for the first time (this time!) by the big fat mosquitos which Navy service seems to be famous for.
I finished blobing on the last gel coat at 1720 tonight ready for more sanding tomorrow and took my first walk around the boat yard to meet another German guy who came to see me the other day. We’re so lucky that our space at the bottom of the yard was taken and we were put where we are now instead, as it’s just a field next to some gas holders. In this prime spot as I type now - in bed - I can just see past our next door neighbour “La Bette Noir” thirty metres to the water . It’s only the channel that leads out into the med, but it’s nicer to watch the barges & ships going up & down than gas holders and mosquitos. Directly opposite me are five big cats. The owners drive underneath and use them as car ports. I wonder if any of them look back across at my push bike that’s just low enough to park under Janix?
I gave a lift into Port St Louis the other day to a couple of guys who had just delivered a 42ft motor boat from Lefkas - which is where we’re heading. As I was the taxi, they bought the food & drink but I only had the one beer as alcohol and driving on the wrong side don’t mix, even though I‘d been practising earlier in the day driving back from the chandlery with two 6m long stainless tubes on the roof. It was nice just to hear a proper Yorkshire accent for a change, but they also gave me some good advice on the routes to Greece. I got the tour of the boat when we got back. They said it was older and smaller than the stuff they usually deliver, but the master bedroom had an ensuite with bath! I saw it on the back of an English lorry today with the sun roof and radar arch cut off to fit under the bridges back to England.