The winds are coming back and with avengance, we won't be going anywhere few a few days. Sadly our plans to set sail this week have been thwarted, we are not too stressed though. Leros has everything we need for comfort and warmth, not only do we have our good friends Paul and Lorraine here for company, we are sitting in the marina which gives us electricity, water, good showers and toilets. The shops provide everything we could possibly need, with a few good eatery's pretty close. Of course, we also have a few small but essential tasks to do onboard, which we no longer need to rush through now. I have decided to re cover our sofa/ salon cushions which meant a day out to Soke town whilst we were back in Turkey. We drove the 30 minutes to Soke with our dear friends Andrew and Helen, calling in for a Starbucks en route back, (obviously!) Managed to pick up 15 meters of lovely material for a whole £65, just got to fit it into our bags in order to lug it across to Leros. Hmmm it could be a squeeze as we also needed to pack a quilt, thick woollies and lots of teabags, well, you cannot expect us Brits to use any other teabags (brought all the way from the UK I might add.) Now that we managed to get safely across the water to Greece without sinking the ferry, and now that the more messy engine, toilet jobs are complete, I can start the hand sewing marathon. Just before we left Turkey almost two weeks ago, Helen and I spent a week sewing furiously the new cushion covers for their lovely yacht Kouros, therefore our fingertips from pinning were rather tender and even the thought of sewing again have sent my poor digits into panic mode. One cushion done, ten to go! Kevin has been busily scrubbing the deck, literally, the dust from a few months of weather changes our teak colour to a dull miserable grey, the difference is incredible. Otherwise our time here has been rather leisurely, wandering into town for a gyros and shopping as needed, having drinks with our friends and waiting for the weather to change to a more settled state. Our initial plan was to head north however the winds are coming from exactly where we want to go, meaning we either motor or tack continuously, neither of which are really what we want. The next plan was to head south which is a little disappointing as we have seen all of those islands quite recently, but it wouldn't stop us going. Currently, the winds have changed again to a southerly, this is exciting as we might get north after all. Unfortunately that is not what is actually stopping us leave Leros this week, it is the 45 knot winds begining tomorrow and staying with us until Tuesday which pose the problem. Whilst we are moored securely with good facilities, why move. Today we decided to go on a good, scenic walk towards the town of Pandeli which also happens to be the capital town in Leros. As we have only ever driven there, we are hoping to take a less known path and see a little wildlife on the way and head around the coast. On most of these islands there is a main route from north to south by road, in order to access the villages around the edges, we first have to get back onto the main road. Leros apparently is no different, as we head into the spring flower filled hedgerows and farmland, we quickly find our lovely path directs us back to the main road. Cars zip past speedily and dogs complain loudly as we ease our way along the narrow roads, poppies and daisies litter the grass banks around us. As we climb towards the next turning the road winds back down towards the cool blue sea, the glistening water is so clear towards the shore. Turquoise edges invite us closer but the chilly wind warns us that is only March, we do not relish the thought of stepping into the sea at this time of year. Steps take us upwards once again where the views are simply stunning, this time into the town of Pandeli. The harbour is predominantly for fishing boats, beautifully painted, in white with blue, yellow and red stripes, these little boats are bustling. Nets are being cleaned and emptied of their days catch, in this gorgeous sunshine it seems the perfect lifestyle. Fishing in the early hours, bringing back the catch to sell to the local restaurants and shops then the afternoon washing the boats and repairing nets. Yet the reality of this life is far from its sweet sunbleached image, freezing winds, rough seas, minimal catches and possibly poor payment for a long days work. Yet these fishermen all appear content with life and its repetition, perhaps we expect a little too much from ours sometimes! We enjoy lunch from a cafe on the beach, chairs precariously perched on the stoney floor and the view is glorious. What more could we want, warm sun on our skin, good friends for company and a beautiful island to enjoy. Two cushions done, eight to go!
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April 2019
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