Returning

Approaching the bay of Kilada

After a wonderful summer of living on board Aquarella in Greece, it's time to start getting used to wearing shoes again for a while. 
Since I have contracts with galleries in Sweden and Finland for exhibitions in September and October I have to return home to prepare my work for the shows. During my time aboard this year I have been able to devote time to paint several watercolours and acrylics on canvas. In addition I have made many sketches and photographed numerous subjects for future projects, so I feel satisfied that it has really been worth while sailing around to find new inspiration. Not only that, but I have found new confidence in my ability to cope as a yachtswoman, and as a single, individual person without being handicapped by my new status as a widow. This, combined with some very enjoyable weeks with the family, convinces me even more that it was the right thing to do to keep the boat.

It felt sad to sail the last leg back to my departure point in Kilada where I started three months ago. This is where Basimakopouloi shipyard lifts the boat out and looks after it for the winter. It's nice to know I don't have to worry about Aquarella at all, she was hauled out of the water by a travellift that can take 100 ton (my boat only weighs 6 ) and is now kept safe on a custom made cradle in the area ashore, behind high fences and guarded by ferocious dogs. 

Aquarella looking very small

Aquarella crossing the road to the boatyard

My brother in law Uffe came again to help me the last week with all the practical chores involved in preparing the boat for the winter. 

The Mediterranean sun burns relentlessly down on everything that's exposed on the boat so I try to protect as much as possible when I leave it. I don't have a cover for the whole boat since a lightweight sheet blows to bits in the strong winds here and a heavy tarpaulin is impossible to store anywhere. So I use bits of old sails stretched and tied down over woodwork and instruments etc.

Redoing the seams of the bimini with UV resistant thread 

I have learnt a lot during these past months but I realise I still have even more to learn both at sea and on land. 

Amongst other things:

I have to learn to free-dive properly and "take my bottom with me"

I have to learn to anchor under sail without the help of the engine.

I have to learn more about electronics and mechanics.

I have to keep fit and strong both mentally and physically.

I have to realise my limitations and learn to ask for help when I need it.

Of course we all have our limits, but how can you possibly find your boundaries unless you explore as far and as wide as you possibly can? I would rather fail in an attempt at something new and uncharted than safely succeed in a repeat of something I have done.

- A. E. Hotchner

Stay tuned here, I'll be updating this blog soon again with video footage (when I've had time to edit ) also more photos and paintings from my "floating studio".