Lakki harbour, Leros - 16th August
Over the last month sailing has taken a bit of a back seat in favour of family visits, here and in England. We're not sure where the time went. Cathy's sister Fiona and her children Tommy and Rosie arrived in Skala on Patmos on 14th July to join us for a week's sailing to Arki, Lipsoi then Leros. As usual when they come, we went in the search of different places to relax, swim and snorkel every day.
Having two growing teenagers and all their kit onboard makes Makarma seem rather cramped, but we made out OK.
After they left, we berthed the boat in Leros marina. Two days of repairs and cleaning later we flew from Kos to Bristol for the family get-together of the year - Cathy's parents' Diamond wedding party. We'd timed our arrival a week beforehand to help get everything ready for the big event - a sit-down lunch for 100 in a marquee at Fairview. Leighton decorated the tent with Makarma's dress flags, Cathy did flowers and earned her merit badge for diplomacy putting together a seating plan for the guests. The four daughters compiled an album of photos which told the story of their parents' sixty years together.
We packed a lot more into our trip as well. Cathy signed a contract with a literary agent who'll help get her book published; we wound up our consulting company after 15 years of trading; we met Edd's Italian girlfriend Elena for the first time - a big hit; Leighton rebuilt a breezeblock wall, repaired the kitchen lights and Cathy made 25 pots of plum jam!
Before we left we'd dreaded the prospect of keeping to a tight schedule and the horror of wearing proper shoes, but we were lavishly looked after by family and friends (our thanks to Marion and Brian/Liz and Andrew), and the lush greenery of Devon in summer was a feast for the eyes after the parched Aegean islands.
But we were pleased to get home to Makarma on Sunday and have our life back again. Today we've left the marina to anchor in the harbour at Lakki. We've topped up with water, fuel and food. We're even flying a new CA burgee. Tomorrow we're heading south to Kos, then Symi - can't wait!
Over the last month sailing has taken a bit of a back seat in favour of family visits, here and in England. We're not sure where the time went. Cathy's sister Fiona and her children Tommy and Rosie arrived in Skala on Patmos on 14th July to join us for a week's sailing to Arki, Lipsoi then Leros. As usual when they come, we went in the search of different places to relax, swim and snorkel every day.
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| Sunbathing at anchor at Archangel Island |
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| Rosie wins at Rummikub |
Having two growing teenagers and all their kit onboard makes Makarma seem rather cramped, but we made out OK.
 |
| Tommy sleeps late in the cockpit |
After they left, we berthed the boat in Leros marina. Two days of repairs and cleaning later we flew from Kos to Bristol for the family get-together of the year - Cathy's parents' Diamond wedding party. We'd timed our arrival a week beforehand to help get everything ready for the big event - a sit-down lunch for 100 in a marquee at Fairview. Leighton decorated the tent with Makarma's dress flags, Cathy did flowers and earned her merit badge for diplomacy putting together a seating plan for the guests. The four daughters compiled an album of photos which told the story of their parents' sixty years together.
 |
| Cathy with her parents and sisters |
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| Proud mum with Honor |
We packed a lot more into our trip as well. Cathy signed a contract with a literary agent who'll help get her book published; we wound up our consulting company after 15 years of trading; we met Edd's Italian girlfriend Elena for the first time - a big hit; Leighton rebuilt a breezeblock wall, repaired the kitchen lights and Cathy made 25 pots of plum jam!
 |
| Eating pizza by the metre with Edd and Elena |
Before we left we'd dreaded the prospect of keeping to a tight schedule and the horror of wearing proper shoes, but we were lavishly looked after by family and friends (our thanks to Marion and Brian/Liz and Andrew), and the lush greenery of Devon in summer was a feast for the eyes after the parched Aegean islands.
But we were pleased to get home to Makarma on Sunday and have our life back again. Today we've left the marina to anchor in the harbour at Lakki. We've topped up with water, fuel and food. We're even flying a new CA burgee. Tomorrow we're heading south to Kos, then Symi - can't wait!
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