Birthday week in Lefkada

Big Log - Good fire.

 Many happy returns to me!  I think I managed to keep it fairly quite that it was my birthday this week, either that or no one loves me anyway.  What does it matter another year passes and they only seem like days now so they are nothing to make a fuss about.

Got all our wood finally logged and chopped this week and just in time as there have been several pretty cold (by Greek terms) nights, in fact there have been frosts.  Houses here are primarily designed to keep cool in summer rather than toasty in winter so you have to throw quite a bit of energy in one form or another at them to get them warmed through.  Our's isn't bad in this respect as it's fairly new and got some insulation which is great compared to our old house in Assos which just haemorrhaged heat through every fibre of it's construction.  We just need to get a good fire going and if it's really cold boost it with the central heating and then it's fine.  Heating oil costs now in Greece are at a huge level though, over a euro a litre compared with about half that price four years ago, so we try to use the fire as much as possible.

Lake zero with snow topped peaks behind.

Kev and Linda help me celebrate being old!

 On Monday we went with our good friends Kev and Linda for a ride out onto the mainland to visit the town of Arta and also take them around our old stomping ground to give them and idea of what life is like where us peasants come from.

We had a great day visiting Limni Zhero (Lake Zero) and also our Greek friend in Assos plus a small diversion around "Jumbo" whilst we were in the area.  Topped of with a lovely meal in Festino's in Lefkas town.  Sandra and I didn't get home until one in the morning but fortunately the car didn't turn back into a pumpkin.

Preparing to de-mast "Izola".

 We had a great meal on Tuesday night with Alison and Pete who have the Katoghi restaurant in Vathkeri at their home at the top of the village.  This was ostensibly to discuss our up coming trip to Metsovo but that topic ended up really just being an after thought at the end of the evening.  We did get it sorted though and are really looking forward to next Monday when we go.  Thanks for the great food and company you two.

This morning it was back to Lefkas Marina for the de-masting of "Izola" prior to her being taken out for her refit which will hopefully take place at some point in the near future.  Managed to get it down without too much incidence but unfortunately the mast step casting got damaged.  It'll get repaired along with all the other bit's and pieces though.  I'm looking forward to getting my hand dirty with that one.

She's ready for taking out.