The Return of the King

Father & son

This week has been as epic as the last; swims in the pool, ice-creams, beers, huge breakfasts, lunches and dinners (yes, three meals a day). Being the saint that she is Mother washed all of our clothes, sheets and sleeping bags so Crest Hawk now smells fresher than ever! Lottie has updated my mp3 with the songs all the kids are listening to while Dad replaced the diaphragm on the bilge pump, educated me on the uses for some of the more unusual tools onboard and reinforced the forestay. Finally, no worries that the mast may topple in the next storm.

Dad and I went in search of a deserted village called Old Perithia in the mountains which turned out to be 5 restaurants and 3 structurally unsound houses in the middle of nowhere! On Wednesday the whole family drove to a beach on the West coast of Corfu to catch an Ionian sunset. We had a BBQ, made a music video (link available next week) and in true Haugh family fashion there was singing round a bonfire; the joys of which were offset a little by the nakedness of other beach users.

Kassiopi

Sophie's flight left at 11am on Friday, the beginning of the end to an amazing week:(... Unfortunately she wasn't on it due to some confusion with the 24 hour clock but managed to get home the same day and made her uni dance on Saturday.

Tomas arrived yesterday bringing with him the remains of a throat infection, some bad weather and money for the Crest Hawk fund. He had to pass on our catch up beer for a 14 hour sleep catch up.

This week Crest Hawk has been loved but not sailed. It's time for the next stage and wherever that may take her...

Ben's Best Bit: "Crest Hawk crew shirts and hot pants!"

You know they've had too many cocktails when lemons are that funny

πρώτος αξιωματικός

With my first mate, πρώτος αξιωματικός, AWOL (come back Tomas, Crest Hawk needs you and it's your turn to wash up), new crew have been drafted in. First off Natalie - special abilities include helming upwind and looking good ondeck. We sailed for a few days starting in Igoumenitsa to Plateria, Sivota, Lakka (Paxos) and back to Igoumenitsa (a 48nm round trip). Some romantic moments etc.

Corfu Town

Once Tats had left I returned to Corfu Town, lonely and looking for a friend :( My prayers were answered the very next morning when Andreas unexpectedly anchored right next to me! That could only mean several things; good wine, great food, amazing company and fishing lessons from a master. Sadly Crest Hawk's bad luck in fishing is infectious, but Andreas' cage brought up an eel like creature with the face of a devil child. Mighty tasty. Two days of strong wind forced us to seek shelter in a tiny bay under the caved cliffs of the Old Fortress... possibly the calmest 10 square meters in Corfu!

On Monday I was given the Corfu Town tourist tour by Sangi. We checked out the Palace, the Old Fortress and saw a dead guy preserved since a very very long time ago. After a week it was time to say goodbye again and with a south wind blowing I was in Kasioppi in no time to meet up with the fam for a hard earned weeks holiday. So in true holiday maker style we got involved with some Greek dancing. Yesterday I took the three most attractive girls so far (debatable) for a sail to a nearby bay for a dip in the perfectly blue waters, and today Dad crewed while we took Crest Hawk to nearby Ag. Stefanos, beers provided. The price to pay - a full inspection of the ship from the man who knows. Luckily she didn't reveal too many of her dark secrets!


Ben's Best Bit: "Being fed like a King!"

Brian's Best Bit: "Sailing Crest Hawk"

Greek dancing

Alison's Best Bit: "Supplying the entire crew with fresh boxers"

Sophie's Best Bit: "Sailing Crest Hawk with the famous4 and harmonising, like the good old days"

Annabel's Best Bit: "Sailing Crest Hawk and feeding stray cats"

Lottie's Best Bit: "Sailing Crest Hawk and snorkelling"

Andreas

Crest Hawk & Atherina

Fishy Dave

Another week and another birthday, this time Tomas'. Monday night saw a few girlies join us onboard to celebrate with coffee and chocolate cake (made onboard), beer, wine and chocolate biscuits. Later that evening an unexpected guest arrived. Dave, our first decent size fish, who Tomas somehow caught with his bow and arrow while on the phone to his mother! He flapped about for a while but called it a night after taking meths straight to the gills.

Calm down Dave, it's nearly over mate

Catch of the Day: One happy birthday boy!

The next morning the birthday boy opened his presents which included a tobacco pouch from Tats, an axe, a Spanish flag and a hammock. The hammock hangs from the boom and has the added feature of the user not being able to get themselves back to the boat without a helping hand. Also, all other crew members must situate themselves appropriately to maintain boat balance and to save the user from getting a wet arse!

Party on Bernard and Ann-Marie's top deck

Mad hatters

Wednesday afternoon we set sail North and made it to Paxos by 4am. Our hearts stopped when the engine stopped just outside the port.. this was quickly diagnosed as lack of fuel. Lucky enough we had a spare tank. There we were joined again by Bernard and Ann-Marie of France, by chance.

Ann-Marie & Bernard

Smashing. Easter pot smashing

Finally, after a 23 hour sail to Corfu Town (not much wind) we set the anchor up for the first time since "Piggy Bay" in Vonitsa and dropped it at the Venetian fortress, right in the heart of town. Since it has been Easter weekend there have been marching bands, traditional pot throwing from balconies (to destroy sins) and last night we were woken by the sound of fireworks being set off from the castle wall above the boat! We had wondered why nobody else had anchored there, probably due to the falling debris and sparks (bucket of water at the ready).

From behind

Crest Hawk @ Corfu Town

Tom's Top Tip: "Avoid getting caught on a brown lee-shore two sheets short of a full rig"

Ben's Best Bit: "Tomas flying home for two weeks :'("