After promising you a last update before the winter, back in November, I have been shockingly lax so whilst still in the peace of Kos Marina a summary of events since then!!

On arrival at Kos Marina on 1st November, ready to take up our spot for the Winter, we were greeted by the lovely reception staff who were so pleased to see us as they desperately needed the space in their store room back and our deliveries were taking up half of it!!

The most amazing moment came on opening parcel number 23 – it couldn’t be? Could it?? After six months…..THE WINCH HAD ARRIVED!! Hooray!!

Jacques got straight to work to install it, donning this special item of face wear – mostly to protect him but also to make me laugh!

The following three weeks we were on countdown to the day of returning to the UK and there was so much to do. Some of it was ‘admin’ (therefore tasks for me) and some tasks were more practical, therefore not in a million years requiring my involvement!

We had been advised to find someone locally who could look after the boat whilst we were away e.g. check the lines during bad weather, handle any maintenance issues etc. Upon receiving the list of recommended candidates, one name almost screamed at us – ‘Pierre Dumont’ ! Pierre has lived in Greece for over 30 years, married a Greek lady but gave up sailing his own boat a few years back after surviving cancer. He has turned out to be a gem of a man!

Providing great local knowledge, very experienced in all things ‘boaty’ and a general ‘fix-it’ man, the benefit of him being able to converse with Jacques on subjects including the intricacies of dinghy mounts and bimini repairs was just an added bonus!

As if the excitement of the winch wasn’t enough for us, the following week saw the fulfilment of another ambition – to be able to be independent of scarce, expensive or sometimes packed transport options as we continue our travels. During the last summer, if we needed to buy big items or just to go out and see the island our options were cabs or hire car. We had often spoken of another solution but the chances of finding what we wanted outside of Athens we thought were impossible. But no!!!

Our fold up, electric bikes (on special offer no less!) were the last two to be found in a local bike shop. The staff were very knowledgeable and helpful, delivering the bikes to the boat for us to ‘try before we buy’. As you can see, the trial was a big success!

Even for Kos, the weather in mid November was unseasonably warm, so with our new found mode of transport we spent some time enjoying the town devoid of the crowds we had in September. At one of the few remaining cafes open around the harbour we were ‘accused’ of being the last two tourists in the entire island!

On the 20th November we headed back to Hertford via Istanbul (as you do!) Sadly, we didn’t take the weather with us, never the less it was an incredible adventure and experience.

Back home with family and friends for Christmas and then avoiding the very wet month of January in Kos, decision was made to reunite with Mossy Joe in February……more to follow next time including an unexpected reunion, harnessing the power of the sun and plans for reconnections with old friends when we head to the idyll of Leros!

I leave you with a Kos Marina winter sunset……

Thank you for reading,

Love, hugs, be kind and sail safe

Tracey xxx