Charlie on the beach again

This picture just to show the bow thruster and the bilge keels(in Dutch: kim kielen) that keep her steady even in a Bft. 7.

Octopus hanging in a taverna

These octopus have been placed on a line to dry in the front of a taverna in Ireklitsa. We learned that the modern manner of softening the octopus is to place them in a clothes washing machine and watch them go round and round. The meat is charcoal grilled and served in (naturally) olive oil. Delicious!

Charlie at her mooring in Ireklitsa Harbor

Finding the best spot in a crowded Greek harbor is a matter of luck and good management. Anthimos moved Charlie from spot to spot in the last four years, but now we have a good place between two motorboats. The prevailing wind from the harbor mouth, behind Charlie to the left. It is easy to disembark off the bowsprit and the boat rides easily even in a strong side wind.

Knife grinder in Canakkale, Turkey

This is the harbor at Canakkale, our first port of call in Turkey. The knife grinder showed up one morning and we brought him our kitchen knives and the sailing knives to spruce up. He pumps the wheel with his right foot and works quickly. The knives are then very very sharp. The whole operation cost us 2 Euros and he even allowed us to take a phote. Behind him you can see the small motorboats used by the fishermen who go out in the Dardanelles for their fish, which they sell on the harbor wall every evening. It is amazing to see them anchor in the fast current and right in the wake of the passing freighters.

Lenny on Charlie, on the Sea of Marmara

This shows Lenny in his hospital scrubs as Charlie motors in the dead calm on the way from Limnos to Canakkale in Turkey. You can see that it is early morning because of the haze coming off the sea. Charlie motors easily at 1600 RPM and has a speed in a calm sea of 5.5 knots. The sun is always a bit too bright, so we are careful not to burn.

Lenny in Myrina Harbor, Limnos Island

Lenny and the statue of the Greek hero of World War I, who fought against the Ottomans. This is Myrini harbor on Limnos Island. Behind Lenny is the cafe owned by the uncle of the local Coast Guardsman, who "advised" us that this was the best place in town for coffee, tea and sweets. We agreed.

Osman, ship's agent in Canakkale, Turkey

Osman represented an agent who would prepare all the documents we needed for entrance into Turkish waters. It took one day and cost Euro 198 for the documents, stamps, and costs. It was worth the money because we would have lost several days going from office to office. In the meantime, we took a taxi to ancient Troy and could almost feel like we were Greek heroes.

Anthimos, Charlie's engineer

Here is Anthimos, Charlie's mechanic, who has managed to keep her afloat so that we can enjoy our adventures on her. Anthimos takes Charlie on cruises with his family, so we all enjoy her. He is smiling because he has a day of rest from the constant stream of clients who call him all day long. Charlie has a new electric anchor winch, a CD player, a working auto-pilot, an electric toilet, an outdoor shower, a rebuilt pilot house AND a wine cooler, all because of Antimos' inventiveness and hard work.

The magic trailer for winter service

This is the trailer used to haul Charlie up to the beach. The tires come from airplanes and everything is welded and constructed right there on the beach. They push the trailer into the sea and under the boat and then pull the whole thing up on the sand. A miracle of modern construction.

Charlie during the winter outfit

This is on land at the beach at Kerrassia, East of Kavala. If you look closely at the stern at the single keel, you will see the anode AND another lower black spot. That is a rust hole discovered while repainting the boat. The hole ended up being the size of a dinner plate, but a new steel plate was welded on and the problem is solved.
The Greeks load the boat on a hand-made trolley and drag it up on the beach. They work outside and to a high standard. Even the ladder is hand-made.