Monday 17 June 2019 – Vathi (Meganisi)

We were up fairly early and I went out to the bakery just after 8am.  This time it was open and lucky I went early because they seem to be selling out quickly.  Back to the boat for breakfast on croissant and pain chocolate.  Huge pastries that should keep us going most of the day!

The battery situation is worse.  The batteries are barely over 12 volts.  Our next door neighbours (Craig and Andy -  I think) on Polyanna offered to come and have a look.  They came over with a volt meter and found that the solar panels seem to be putting out the right charge, but it clearly isn’t getting to the batteries. There is no loose connection from the panels and nothing obviously loose on the batteries.  So we need an electrician.  In the meantime we are going 17 miles on motor and that will charge the batteries.

Taking up the anchor was worrying me all along.  But we were not entangled with anyone else’s anchor and we were very well set.  I could hardly get the thing up and when it did come it was one ball of heavy mud up to the shank!

And so it was that we made our way to another Vathi, this time on the island of Meganisi.  We got here at noon and were given a space in the marina which means we get mains electricity, so we don’t have to run the engine to charge the batteries.  The cost here is quite high - 44 euros a night plus metered water and electricity. But this is only the second time so far we have paid proper prices, so we aren’t worried. We ask about getting an electrician to look at the solar panels, but today is a national holiday so it is not feasible.  The local engineer comes and has a look, but he could find nothing different to what Craig found.  So it is a mystery.  We will try to get someone in Lefkas to look at it, but that needs to be booked in advance. 

It is still boiling hot. However, we brave the heat and go out for a cold drink and a bite of late lunch.  I finally get my pitta gyros (a donner kebab to those in the UK).  I indulge myself one a sailing session!  We then make our way to an ice cream café and R has ice cream and I have my daily shot of iced coffee (they make it very nice here in Greece).  Who do we see at the café but Craig and Andy.  We thank them again for all their help and pay for their drinks.
Back to the boat where we finally are able to wash it and get the huge amount of accumulated mud off it. We take the opportunity to spray ourselves too, to cool down.

We have cold supper on board - avocados with prawn cocktail.  And now are trying to cool down the cabin.  We have got the temperature down to 26C.  We shall probably stay tomorrow while we try to reserve an electrician and a berth at Lefkas marina later in the week.  The weather forecast is for thunder storms so that is another reason to stay put.

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