As we’re being lifted out in Preveza next Tuesday while we return to the UK for a month to avoid the heat and the arrival of the ‘cavalier’ type of Italian sailor, this was our last opportunity to pick up the repaired alternator from CYS in Lefkas before September. (private boats can’t use the pontoons in Lefkas from Friday to Sunday). In the event, it wasn’t ready, but we did get our life raft taken away for servicing, so it wasn’t a wasted stop. Also the chance for a taverna meal and a visit to the Havana bar. The meal was funny, in that on the next table to me was a chap dressed in long trousers, socks and sandels almost continually smoking roll ups. Unfortunately the smoke drifted my way. I was contemplating asking him to move to the other end of his table when a tom cat strolled past, and taking a liking to his trousers, duely sprayed them! It couldn’t have been better timed! He didn’t notice, although I’m sure he will have when he got home!
Our previous experience with Italians is mixed. Most are fine. However in August they tend to arrive in the Ionian in droves, mainly in large high powered ribs and motor boats which they drive at 2 speeds, flat out or stop, they anchor next to you despite loads of space in an anchorage and if they detect a minute gap between moored up boats they will try to force their way in, totally ignoring shouts from tied up boats. Come the end of August, they all go home!
