After a decent downwind sail following launch on Saturday morning, we tied up for a few days in Lakki Marina to catch up with various jobs, reprovision and investigate renewing our 5 year Greek Residency permit.
Despite having the permit issued four and a half years ago in Agrinio near the Ionian, on the spur of the moment, we decided to try renewing it in Kos town. We’d already emailed the relevant Kos police department and arranged an appointment for 11am on Monday morning. We needed to show passports, the old residency cards, proof that we’d paid the necessary fees (€16.5 each) and proof that we’d been in Greece for over 6 months each year for the past 5 years. This later requirement, for us is impossible to meet, as we’ve only come out here for typically 5 months each year, so we weren’t at all optimistic of getting the cards renewed. However I did explain this via email, but they still insisted we come in. So up early in Lakki to catch the 0750 Kos ferry and armed with copies of bank statements for the past 5 years, which prove at best 5 months of time in Greece, plus boat related documents like proof of paying the Cruising tax, proof of paying our Residency Permit Renewal, proof of winter haul out/storage, health insurance we gingerly introduced ourselves to the very officious lady in Kos police station. “where is your ID” she bellowed. Once over that hurdle, we presented the documents she required, passports, passport photos, old residency permits, proof of payment, then instead of bank statements, she asked for 2 copies of winter storage contracts. I produced these, but only had one copy. Despite there being a photocopier in her office she sent us away, to return at 1300 with the required copies. So time for a coffee, work out where the nearest copy shop was, get the 2 copies done for the past 5 years of our winter storage (front page only) and return. She accepted the copies, printed out a very Greek letter and directed us to a neighbouring office with the letter and one of our photos to get our finger prints taken. After a 30min wait we went in to discover a human and chatty police officer, and after more form filling, signing and finger prints taken, we were told that our 10 year residency cards would be ready in 2-3 weeks! Wow, what a surprise, we weren’t at all optimistic at getting them issued and just after a couple of hours or so in the Kos police station, mission accomplished! In fact we had already discussed the possibility of doing the Schengen shuffle each year, and weren’t really bothered if we got the 10 year card or not. We’ve heard lots of horror stories from people, like being sent away from the police station almost in tears, translation difficulties, needing continuous health insurance, having a large sum in your bank account, it was our lucky day.
We’ve booked a winter liftout (and paid a deposit) in a yard near Corinth in anticipation of visiting Agrinio next year, so we’ll still aim for this yard in a month’s time, with fingers crossed that our new cards turn up in Kos in the meantime.
So a celebratory meal in Kos and the evening ferry back to Lakki.
Back to boat business. A priority was to replace the leaky calorifier. Getting one proved simple, we went into the independent chandlery Tuesday morning, he ordered it and it was delivered to his shop, from Athens, Thursday morning. €775. Now the issue with the calorifier, is that it’s the other side of the engine and totally inaccessible unless you’re a 2 foot midget. So in with the tools, remove the heater fuel supply, air inlet, exhaust outlet, raw water anti syphon pipework, throttle cable, gear cable, engine exhaust elbow, heat exchanger pipework. Diving in head first, laying in protective cardboard, around the back of the engine finally gave access to the straps holding the old calorifier. Out with the old, in with the new, but unfortunately the new was very slightly larger (by 5 mm) and the old retaining straps had to come out. So a couple of new holes in the locker and with swearing, grunting and lots of sweat, we fixed new mounting straps, and secured the new calorifier in position. It was then relatively easy refixing the pipework, and the following day refitting the engine pipes and heater ducting. So far it’s almost leak free!
Another job was renewing the mosquito net on the frames on two windows. Removal of the old sticky glue proved difficult, but they look like new now.
The photos below show what fun we had.
Back in July, we’d bought a new tender, and while we were away, the local sail maker had made excellent chaps (a cover) to protect the tender from the sun. On Tuesday, after we’d paid him, he delivered the tender, complete with cover to the marina.
Back in June, Ann developed red itchy blotches on her face, neck and arms and hands, possibly from an excess of tomato juice. However, since we’ve been back in Greece, it’s started flaring up again. In June a local Pharmacy had sold us various pills and potions (some of which are only available on prescription in the UK), so this time on Friday we went to the emergency department at Lakki hospital just 8 mins walk away. Ann was seen within minutes and very fortuitously was referred to the Dermatologist who happened to be practicing on the island today. Just jump in a taxi and ask to be taken to the dermatologist! However the first taxi driver didn’t really understand, but the second one did, so a taxi ride to Agia Marina where Ann was seen within 15mins, given a prescription and after a taxi ride back to Lakki had purchased (€8) more pills and cream. Hopefully this will solve the problem.
During our stay in Lakki we also met up again with Dean and Alison on Silver Witch, enjoying a drink with them and a couple of their other friends.
After 8 nights in Lakki, it was time to move on. However, before we left, we still had 15 free nights to use up.
Kos and Kos Police Station
Replacing the hot water tank
