Settling in!

We've been at the marina in Samos now for 2 days and we are settling in to what will be our winter life in Greece! The weathers starting to turn (16/11/2015), the wind changed round to the north this afternoon and picked up, COLD.. Brrr.. we went ashore this evening in jeans and a jacket, yep, welcome to the real world! Winters coming even here!  We are moored in a windy berth in the marina and Internet access is poor so over the next few weeks we will try to get a better spot. We also need storage for our cushions, dinghy, sails and other bits so we will see how we get on with the marina staff. It's an odd marina, we love it because it's so quiet, it should be thriving but it's almost as if it's been built just too far away from the main town of Pythagoria , it's about 15 mins walk from town down a dusty track past a sewage farm, not for everyone! The posh yachtees wouldn't be fond of it as facilities are short on supply. Selling points for us after being in a working boatyard back at home are hot showers, laundry, taverna / bar with Internet, plus it's cheap and quiet, very quiet.. With just about half a dozen live-aboards. We've already met a lovely English couple who have been here for 5 years, living on a Birchwood TS 37 motor boat. We're off to Lidl's with them tomorrow for our weekly shop... Exciting life!! Yep, they have a Lidl's just down the road! We have a limited monthly budget so it should come in very handy. 

We have lots to think about regarding the boat now we are settled - more lighting, heating, more power sockets, scraping off all the paint on everything! Portholes etc! the Turks don't do 'cutting in' ! Lots of woodwork to sand back, glue, secure and varnish. Inside we want some home comforts, she's a bit bland and Tara wats to personalise her a little with a few furnishings. The next 3 months won't be glamorous! Cold at times with some winter storms to deal with... The sun and island hopping days are about to end for a while... But hey! We don't care because we are here and know what an amazing place it is come rain or shine! The tranquility and charm of the island remains in all weathers and once the spring comes we look forward to visits from the"kids" and we will set off again to explore these wonderful waters in a great climate ,by which time Christina will be looking even more gorgeous and ready for her new adventures and admirers.