MOB!

This week started with an outrageously selfish quote from Crazy Dave for a simple paint job, 100Kg of onions worth! Tomas was then offered an interview on a national radio station to talk about our dream. Sadly it hasn't yet come through but we are holding up hope!

We spent the next couple of days rigging Crest Hawk ready for the planned launch on Friday. This involved all sails and running rigging. With Tomas fishing everyday still nothing was caught.

Bearing in mind the launch was planned in two days, we made our first attempts at starting the engine..... no success. After an evening of revision on marine diesel engine mechanics and a couple of tweeks the following morning, much to our relief we got her fired up!

We saw our new friends Zed's (Czech Republic) boat on Thursday and were donated an anchor suitable for more serious mooring, plus a fire extinguisher suitable for more serious fires!

With Crest Hawk prepped for sea, the main sheet, foresail sheets, an organised forecabin, and Tomas having cleaned the dinghy, we got a good night sleep. Friday morning was the day of the launch and after an awkward few minutes of the Greek yard workers watching us paint the remaining patches of antifoul in the rain, she was launched!

After checking the seacocks and bilge for leaks we motored out into the channel. We then made the decision as planned to sail to Vontitsa 10nm from Aktion. Although the wind picked up at times to force 5, Crest Hawk took it in her stride and when we dropped anchor in a bay calmed by a mountain after 5 hours, we were ready for supper and bed. The view greeting us the next morning was spectacular, snowy and mountainous. Since, we have moved to the quay in the centre of town and are enjoying the life of kings.

Our first leisurely sail was today when we went out and round the bay to acquaint ourselves with Crest Hawk. Tomas took a quick dip to wash himself as you can see by the picture!

Tom's Top Tip: If you jump into freezing cold water, have the tinfoil ready.

Ben's Best Bit: Launching my first boat of course!

The one that got away

Due to adverse weather, painting of the hull was delayed until yesterday. This left Tom time to explore his new found passions in fishing and dressing up as a super hero (Batman was taken so he goes by the name of 'Black Arrow'). Unfortunately he was more successful at the latter, and we were beginning to lose hope until today! With a couple of lines cast off the stern of a beached and abandoned ship, it took two of us to haul a florescent orange octopus out of the water only for the line to break. The one that got away. Time to make a net.

Budgets have been set, 1 euro each for 2 filling meals a day. As usual meal times have become a bit of a highlight with the meal voted current favourite tuna & tomato pasta, closely followed by leek & white sauce pasta, potato and pasta you get the idea. 

Captain Ben is not only Crest Hawk's commander and chief, but also a cook who is an 1845 Irish version of Gordon Ramsay. We have worked pretty hard, and although the uncertainty of the weather is ever present, along with the doubts in budget and safety, knowing that Ben is directing this adventure makes me feel as safe as a blind man shaving his pubes.

We have set the launch date for Friday 25th January and are praying the weather will be kind for our short sail to Vonitsa. I don't think a pilotage plan has ever been so meticulously checked.

Tom's Top Tip: "Wash your thermals at least once a week to stop them smelling like a Moroccan souk"

Ben's Best Bit: "Has to be the octopus, it was huge!"

How it came to be

For those of you unfamiliar with our quest, a brief summary of the events leading up to now. As the result of social inadequacy at a student house party in Bristol (and lack of any physical female contact (yet again)) the idea of embarking on a new adventure was born.  In the month that followed we developed the idea and finally came to be the proud owners of Crest Hawk...

Hence we travelled to Preveza on Thursday and having slept in the toilet at a road toll station, due to a thunder storm, arrived at 5am the next morning thanks to a break in the rain! Since then and for the past three days the weather has been kinder and we have begun work preparing her for her first voyage under our command.

Tomas' Top Tip: "Make sure you remember the date of your flight"

Ben's Best Bit: "Onions 40cents a kilo!? Get out of town!"

Resolution

A new year and a resolution to match!