The bus from Athens to Preveza arrived in the evening so we found a place to stay at the last minute. Sakis kindly met us at the bus station, and next afternoon took us to the boatyard.

Apataki was  very dirty after 21 months away. We started cleaning and other jobs.

The batteries were dead.

Our friends Petra and Bertie on Largyalo, the huge Wharram Pahi 63 catamaran, were anchored near to the boatyard and kindly let us sleep on board after spending a lovely evening afloat.

Not having the car here this year I was lucky to find neighbours, Arthur, Bart and Fabrizio who gave me lifts to town and to Lidl when they were going there.

So I was able to get 2 new 105 amp hour batteries, two full gas bottles, spares, food, petrol for the outboard etc, also visit Sofia at Preveza Yacht Services where my cruising tax for 3 months was swiftly organised and paid.

Working in summer heat is hard but one by one the jobs were ticked off and the boat became cleaner.

We set a launch date for Monday June 28. The crane was booked.

The motor was serviced and electric start did not work. A fuse needed replacing. 

I had proposed the amount I felt I should pay to the boatyard for the bit of 2020 summer ashore and the 2020/21 winter. There was no response for a few days then I sat in the office with boatyard owner Dimitris and his wife who runs the office. 

They presented me with a very different amount saying we earned nothing last year , but forgetting they can fully recover it this year for boat storage. Suddenly the winter rate became 6 months, not the 8 previously quoted,and of course despite vat included on a first quote, it is not, is it.

We compromised heavily in his favour, but this is Greece.

Another friend also found an extra 500 mysteriously added to his account.

The launch by crane went well and we stayed in the water still connected to the yard for three more nights before motoring to the popular and sheltered Preveza anchorage for the night and last minute food shopping.