The Ionian April 2011

The Ionian April 2011 Volume 2. Issue 1

www.theionian.com

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Splashdown Launching Your Boat Page 8-9

Interview: Ithaca’s Dionisis Sikiotis Page 6

The Enigma of Odysseus’ Origins Page 7

WELCOME BACK TO THE IONIAN

The Ionian καφενείο Easter is Πάσχα Page 5

Olive Oil The Liquid Gold Page 4

The Ionian News, Community Calendar, Easy Greek Recipe, and more...

The Ionian / April 2011 www.theionian.com

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The Ionian / April 2011 www.theionian.com

The Ionian Address:

Lefkadiou Chern 24, Lefkada 31100, Greece Email: barbara.molin@theionian.com Website: www.theionian.com Fax: The Ionian c/o (0030) 26820 61306 Telephone: (0030) 69486 46764

Editorial

Welcome back to The Ionian.

Our magazine is one year old! In this issue, the first one after the winter break, Cathy King, last year’s deputy editor, shares her and her husband Leighton’s boat launching ‘to do’ list in “Splashdown.” The couple have spent the winter on board their yacht, “Makarma” in Crete and this summer will be exploring the Dodecanese. Fair winds and following seas, Cathy and Leighton!

Founding Publisher: Justin Smith Ester van Zuylen, in Through The Porthole, interviews Dionisis Publisher/ Editor: Barbara Molin (Dennis) Sikiotis, a well known resident of Ithaki and a retired proBusiness Advisor: Yannis Dimopoulos fessor of industrial chemistry, who among other accomplishments has cleared many of Business Advisor: Ryan Smith that lovely island’s hiking paths.

Accountant: Pavlos Dagla: 26450 23008 Eirini Tzima writes about Greek Easter - Πάσχα celebrations and shares with us an Kefalonia Editor: Neil Evans easy Greek recipe for Frigadelia. Ann Ruffles encourages us to use the other “liquid Layout: Barbara Molin gold” or olive oil in our Health and Beauty column and finally, Neil Evans is back as Printing: Plamen Rusanov our Kefalonia Editor with a controversial subject—the never resolved question of the Advertising Manager: Barbara Molin location of Odysseus’ home.

Distribution: Barbara Molin Soon the first flights will arrive in the Ionian and the season will once again begin.

Subscriptions: Barbara Molin Given that the Greek economy could use a financial boost, perhaps we could try to stretch the season on both ends— the weather is fabulous as I You can download The Ionian as a PDF docuwrite this in the middle of March and I wonder why do ment from our website: www.theionian.com. we need to wait until May to welcome visitors? Let’s To subscribe, please call: 0030 69486 46764 make Ionian a year round destination. All we need is some airplanes... ΑΦΜ: 148426549. ΛΕΥΚΑ∆ΙΟΥ ΧΕΡΝ 24, By the way, if you haven’t seen The Ionian magaΛΕΥΚΑ∆Α, 31100. ISSN 1792-4650. The Ionian is zine before, you can download or browse all the issues on published monthly. Published on the last day our website: www.theionian.com for FREE. before each month, approx. Publication is for Happy Spring—enjoy reading. informational purposes only. Although The Ionian Γεια µας, has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of ~~~_/) Barbara Molin ©Mary Dennis photo the information contained in this publication, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors PHOTO CONTEST: Send in your best photos of the Ionian. Twelve winning images or omissions it may contain. The opinions will feature in The Ionian 2012 Calendar. Subject: Ionian people, nature and landscape. expressed by the contributors are not necessarily Digital images only, horizontal format. One per email. Please check photographers’ held by the publisher.

Cover Photo: Boy Fishing ©Jack Griffiths To purchase any of the photographs in The Ionian, please contact the Editorial Department: editor@theionian.com.

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guidelines and contest rules at: www.theionian.com. The best photos will feature on our website and the winning entries will be published in the calendar. Deadline for entries: September 30, 2011. Email to: editor@theionian.com.

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The Ionian News Send in your Ionian news, photos and calendar events to: editor@theionian.com Check our website for up to date Ionian news and events at: www.theionian.com

Flights to the Ionian Easy Jet (www.easyjet.com), begins their seasonal service from London/Gatwick to Corfu on March 28th with five flights per week. Furthermore, Sky Express (www.skyexpress.gr) offers year round flights between Crete and the Ionian (Preveza/Aktio, Kefalonia, Corfu and Zakinthos). Sky Express is looking into a possibility of adding a three times a week service between Athens and Aktio/Preveza.

You can call Karyatis Travel tel/fax 26823 01077 for more information.

The Ionian Calendar Tuesdays - morning street market in Vonitsa.

April 3 Mothering Day (U.K. holiday) Communion Service.

Lefkas. Call Jackie at: 69366 47160 for more info.

25 Feast of Agios Georgios, who is Greece’s and shepherds’ patron saint. Dancing, singing and feasting with a special celebration in Vonitsa, which includes men riding on stallions around the church of St. George and through the main street of town.

Health and Beauty

Olive Oil—Liquid Gold Ann Ruffles

Homer called it “liquid gold.” Athletes ritually rubbed it all over their bodies. Drops seeped into bones of dead saints through holes in tombs.

Today, olive oil still plays an important part in the Mediterranean diet.

First charter flights begin to Its Vitamin E content makes it a good source of energy and a powerful arrive in the Ionian. The season 22 Good Friday: Candle lit anti-oxidant which protects the cells from free-radical damage. processions in all the towns and begins. villages.

It is classified as a mono-unsaturated fat with no appreciative amounts 1 May Day Festival, Labour of health-giving essential omega 3 and omega 6 oils, but much of it is Day On this day everyone 23 Easter Saturday 11 p.m. leaves the city for the country. cold pressed and unrefined and therefore, much better for you than reResurrection Mass. Fireworks and candle lit processions after. Have a picnic and gather wildfined vegetable oils such as sunflower oil. flowers to make into wreaths to There is a strong association between high intake of saturated fats and 24 Easter Sunday: Lenten decorate your home or boat. mono-unsaturated fats mainly from meat and dairy products and cardiofast ends with cracking of red dyed Easter eggs. Roast lamb 8 Boat Jumble—Aktio—Panos vascular disease. Despite it being mono-unsaturated, the reverse is true of and Greek dancing follows. The Taverna parking lot. Call olive oil. The healthy essential poly-unsaturated fats in seeds and fish oils day’s greeting is: Hristos Anesti Preveza Yacht Services for inare very prone to damage and are not good for high temperature cooking (Christ is risen) with a reply: formation: 26820 60940. such as frying. But olive oil does not generate harmful free radicals when Alithos Anesti ( Truly He is it is heated and will also add good flavour to food. risen).

Seventy percent of Greece’s olive oil is extra virgin from the first pressing. It has exceptional quality, aroma and taste with low acidity less than 0.8% which creates the special flavour. It is delicious poured over salads, vegetables and cheese and used in dressing and sauces. Virgin olive oil is also made on the first pressing but acidity could be up to 2%. This one would be less expensive and therefore preferable for cooking.

The colour of the oil ranges from green to golden yellow depending on the ripeness of the olives when harvested and will change its aroma and taste. Ripe olive oil has a milder fruity taste and under ripe olive oil would be more bitter and sharp.

It’s all a matter or taste so enjoy!

Easter is the most important festival in the Greek Orthodox religion.

May

Ann Ruffles with her husband Mike has been sailing in the Ionian for the past four years on board their Spray 38, ‘Ruffles.’

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The Ionian / April 2011 www.theionian.com

The Ionian καφενείο Easter is Πάσχα (Pascha) Eirini Tzima

Easter or Πάσχα (Pascha) which means Passover is the most important holiday of the year for the Greeks.

Celebrated in springtime, this holiday, which starts officially from the Saturday of Lazarus, brings joy to every Greek for more than religious reasons.

People gather in church every evening throughout Holy Week. .Many customs take place during the Holy Week such as the special cookies of the Holy Tuesday, the oil crossing on Holy Wednesday for blessing, the dyeing of the eggs on Holy Thursday, and of course the preparations of the lamb and many traditional recipes for the night of the Resurrection and the day after.

Most Greeks nowadays do not fast for 40 days before the resurrection but many fast throughout the Holy Week. Pascha is the holiday that promises a new beginning and eternal life after death, therefore many Greeks embrace it, enjoy the procedure, clean everything, make the preparations and look forward to the big day. Most of them also take the opportunity to travel across the country to visit their families.

Good Friday is a day of mourning. The drama of the death of Christ is followed with great devoutness. The icon of Christ is taken off the cross, wrapped in linen and put it in the Bier (Epitafios) symbolizing the tomb of Christ. On Holy Saturday evening, the Resurrection mass takes place. One hour before midnight everyone goes to church, each person carrying an unlit candle.

The churches are crowded and it is not uncommon for many people to have to stay outside of the church. The mass can be heard from loudspeakers placed outside of the church. Later during the mass, all lights in the church will be turned off and then the priest will exit the altar with a candle lit by the Holy Light.

The Holy Light is transferred by plane from Jerusalem, where it appears in a miraculous way in the Holy Sepulchre (Tomb of Christ). The Holy Light is distributed by the priest to all people in and out of the church. If people can get back home without their flame going out, it is said they will have a good year.

A few minutes before midnight everybody together with the priest exits the church and exactly at midnight, the priest announces the resurrection of Christ (Christos Anesti): "Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life." At that moment fireworks and crackers go off and the dark night is filled with light and colorful explosions. Families and relatives kiss each other and wish "Hronia Polla".

Next day on Sunday, they get up early in the morning to start the fire for the lamb roast and as tradition commands, they start drinking and eating. Every door in every house will be open that day and everybody is welcomed.

If you manage to be in Greece during the Holy Week try to participate, it will be memorable! Hronia Polla!

you go and you buy some liver and some "pana" from the lamb. You have to ask for "pana" because I don't know the word in English. It is this white fat that the lamb has I think in the stomach and we usually put it on the lamb when it is roasted to protect it from burning when it is on the fire..

Any way..

Then basically make a souvlaki on a skewer. Take a small piece of liver, then a small piece of pana, liver, pana, liver, pana...etc. Next you add spices like salt, pepper, oregano, and you just put them on a real fire to cook.

It’s great - easy and a nice meze (appetizer) especially with ouzo, tsipouro, beer and wine. Yamas!

Eirini Tzima and her brother and partner Kostas own and manage Ionian Breeze, a yacht charter, management and repair business in Preveza. www.ionianbreeze.gr

Easy Greek Recipe — Frigadelia So I will give you an Easter recipe from Epirus. It is called "Frigadelia" and it is very fast and easy to make but only for those who like liver. So

The Ionian / April 2011 www.theionian.com

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Through The Porthole modation.

Ithacans seem to be possessed by a need to wander, an But the summer tourist season is very short. To expand this period it endless coming and going through time. The poet Cavafy made Ithaki a symbol of man's struggle to accomplish his ideals. There are many stories would be an excellent idea to promote walking, but that is only possible if the paths are accessible. Dennis never got credit for this, but in 1996 he to tell about the inhabitants of Ithaki, and this is just one of them.

A well-known resident of the village of Stavros, in the northern part of made a plan to restore the old paths. However, the local authorities were Ithaki, is Dionisis (Dennis) Sikiotis. He's almost eighty and has achieved not keen to finance his plan as very few Greeks walk for pleasure. quite a lot in his life. He is a retired professor of industrial chemistry, lecturer, great lover of nature, and a man who does not hesitate to offer his opinions. This has sometimes created controversy but that has never stopped him from Lust for the sea - Thalassolagneia doing or saying what he thinks is right.

Not far from his paternal family home, Dennis has built a interview with Ester van Zuylen new house which is stacked with books. On the walls hang paintings and photos, all featuring the sea, the love of his life. Swimming is still one of his greatest pleasures and in summer he's often to be found at Polis Bay, the beach close to Stavros.

In his way of life, Dennis is a real Greek - he enjoys life to the fullest, loves good food and is very individualistic.

On Ithaki he feels very much at home, and his many years away from Greece have not changed that.

Although both his parents' families originate from Ithaki, Dennis was born in China in 1931. His father traded in tobacco there and later in carpets. He spent his childhood partly in Athens and Ithaki, where he finished high school. As a young man his greatest wish was to become a sea captain, but he was denied realization of this dream because he wore glasses.

When he was 18, his father sent him to Australia where Dennis studied industrial chemistry. Later, Dennis received a masters degree in air quality management and taught at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology for 24 years, and at the University of the Aegean on Lesbos for 10 years.

Then visitors and locals started to complain that something had to be However, for 37 years Dennis lived in Australia and could not return to done, because walkers had started coming and they were very annoyed Greece, as he had become involved in politics and his ideas were not that they couldn't walk on Ithaki without getting hurt or lost. Dennis approved by the right-wing government of that time. He was the secretary to the organisation that opposed the military junta between 1967 and eventually got some money for his plans and set to work. It was not nearly enough, but he hired two workers, coordinated the work, and also 1974, but he was always nostalgic for Greece. helped to clear the paths himself as a volunteer. Equipped with a chainDennis was finally invited back to saw and handsaws they tackled the prickly and thorny bush.

Greece in the eighties to monitor air Eventually he managed to clear and mark 11 paths. So it is totally pollution in Athens. He was the first to thanks to his effort that people can enjoy the unspoilt and remote parts of buy instruments and actually measure Ithaki at all. But voluntary work is something Greeks are not familiar the amount of pollution in the city.

Since his retirement 15 years ago, he's with. Soon enough some people were insinuating that he used the money he got for the paths for his own benefit. Besides, he was an accomplished settled on Ithaki, but travels back to professor so why would he be doing manual labour. Needless to say this Australia regularly to visit his family. attitude angered him at the time but he can laugh about it now.

Dennis has always been a keen There's still plenty of work to be done, but Dennis' age and health don't walker. From the time when he was a allow him to do hard physical work anymore. He managed to find a sucyouth, he wanted to explore and trek through unknown regions. In Australia cessor in his nephew Spiros Kouvaras, who is continuing what Dennis had started. he did a lot of bush walking and later Occasionally Dennis is invited to the schools to teach the children about on Lesbos he went on hikes with his the environment. He enjoys the simple pleasures of life and can be seen colleagues and students. strolling around the village, stopping for a chat with young and old, still When I first came to Ithaki years ago, and started exploring the island curious. on foot, I was told that he was the expert on the paths. I soon became

Dionisis Sikiotis

acquainted with him and he showed me many beautiful tracks which he remembered from his youth. I found out there was a well-used network of donkey paths and footpaths connecting the habitations with the cultivated areas. Built on and along walled terraces, these paths are an impressive monument of Ithaca's past.

After the roads were built in the 19th century, many of these paths were no longer used or maintained. To go on foot was a thing of the past for the islanders, reminding them only of the hardships they endured to make a living. Tourism was becoming the most important livelihood for islands like Ithaki, replacing the seafaring and agriculture of the past.

Since the 1960's the tourists discovered the rugged and stunning beauty of Ithaki and some migrants started returning to set up businesses such as restaurants and accom-

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Ester van Zuylen has been living on Ithaki for the past 6 years. She's an artist and a walking guide, and has a special interest in the history and the flora and fauna of the Ionian islands. She is writing a book about hiking on Ithaca. www.islandwalks.com Photo and portrait of Dennis Sikiotis by Ester van Zuylen

The Ionian / April 2011 www.theionian.com

It’s Ancient History Sitting on my veranda contemplating the magnificent view across the channel to Ithaki, I often wonder from where Odysseus really did originate.

The Enigma of Odysseus’ Origins

This is a question that has been puzzling both lay people and academics for many centuries, if not millennia. But just what evidence is there to

by Neil Evans support the conventional view that his fabled, legendary homeland of Ithaca coincides with contemporary Ithaki, the Greek island in the Ionian Sea? Local inhabitants of that small, rugged island point enthusiastically to the existence of archaeological ruins, which are apparently clearly attributable to the hero of Homer's epic poem, 'The Odyssey'. Our attention is drawn to a submerged castle off the west coast of Ithaki, lying serenely a mere few metres offshore near the town of Stavros and the discovery of coins adorned with Odysseus’ portrait.

If this version of the history of the poem is true, it was here, at the foot of a towering hill that Odysseus slew the army of suitors who Could these be the remains of Odysseus’ palace on Ithaca? were pursuing his devoted wife, Penelope, some Photo: B. Molin 3,000 years ago.

There is, however, another interpretation of the narrative in 'The Odyssey'. This view of weeks, or in some extreme cases, days, can ther to the north, has thrown its hat into the ring, ancient Greek history, promoted by an interna- readily understand the possibility of such cataproclaiming its right to be considered a contional group of researchers, led by the British clysmic events occurring along the borders be- tender for the title of 'True Home of Odysseus'! consultant Robert Bittlestone, and including tween the Earth's tectonic plates. And such a But that's another story, or perhaps another John Underhill, Professor of Stratigraphy at the border lies only a relatively short distance to the verse in the epic poem of the debate on this University of Edinburgh, and James Diggle, west of this area. enduring symbol of faithfulness and devotion, Professor of Classics at Cambridge University, Apart from this physically-based proof, there cunningness and strength. asserts that Odysseus hailed from another area Personally, I feel incredibly of the Ionian islands. privileged to be living in this Odysseus stands as a quintessential beautiful region and to be able This belief stems from the sole reference in 'The Odyssey' to the contemplate such romantic icon of self-discovery and endurance in to precise geographical location of aspects of life every day of the the wily king's homeland; that his an often hostile and unforgiving world. year - and I should add that the island home was located on the traditional time of the year for western side of all of the islands of travellers to make their way to the archipelago, with no other land present to is also lyrical support for this radical new view, these parts, summer, is far from the best. obscure its view of the sun setting over the vast based on the location of certain buildings and So, why not come yourself, any time of the expanses of the Mediterranean Sea. The west landmarks described in the epic poem. Most year except July and August, to weigh up the coast of Kefalonia fits this bill. notably, the distances relating to and descriparguments for and against the various claimants This team of scientists and scholars proposes tions of Odysseus' port of arrival, his revelations to Odysseus' crown, and enjoy all the other that the western peninsula of this neighbouring in the presence of the goddess Athina in a pig wonders of this place - natural, historical, social island, now called Paliki, was, in fact, once an farmer's humble abode, and the route he took and cultural - while you're at it? island and the genuine birthplace and domain of during his subsequent ploy to venture into his For further reading on this topic, visit our legendary hero. They have documented the palace disguised as a beggar all seem to be veri- www.odysseus-unbound.org results of air, ground and marine geological fiable according to this new theory. surveys and core sampling which, they mainOf course, the population of Kefalonia has Neil Evans, an Australian-Greek teacher, artist tain, irrefutably support their hypothesis. embraced this new slant on the exact site of the and writer, who has lived on Kefalonia for 14 The essence of their evidence is that the shal- great wanderer's home with exuberant enthusi- years with his Greek wife. He is our Kefalonia low valley between the main eastern part of asm, for the stakes are high in a land as depend- editor. www.yessy.com/neilos-art Kefalonia and the lower-lying western segment ent on tourism as any other in this modern age (Paliki) was filled in with rocks and soil disof incessant travel and thirst for lodged by the interminable seismic activity, novelty of experience and advenwhich continues unabated in the region to this ture. day. Furthermore, this phenomenon may have Odysseus stands as a quintesbeen exacerbated by uplifting of the sea floor. sential icon of self-discovery and This radical view of the issue is considered endurance in an often hostile and highly plausible by a number of respected aca- unforgiving world. Any land that demics and researchers because of the apparent can lay claim to being where his veracity of the results of their investigations. true love lay can feel both proud Convincing computer-aided diagrams and and privileged, rewarded not only topological imagery paint a vivid picture for the on the spiritual and mythical sceptic of a distinctly feasible geological evolu- level, but also in the sociotion in this earthquake-prone region of the economic realms of tourist inworld. Anyone who has seen the tumultuous come and international kudos. volcanic activity in and around Iceland that can Little wonder then that yet antransform landscapes in a matter of months, other Ionian island, Lefkada, furThe Ionian / April 2011 www.theionian.com

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Be Practical!

The mere thought of launch day can give some sailors a panic attack.

However, it’s all about preparation. With our boat, 'Makarma', we still follow a checklist so we don't miss anything.

Hull, Decks and Topsides

• Wear appropriate eye, skin, and breathing protection when sanding or using paint or chemicals. And remember, it is unkind to get the sander out when your neighbour has just finished varnishing!

• Remove the rags you used last autumn to plug the through-hull fittings, end of the boom, etc. as protection against pests.

• Lubricate and work all seacocks open and closed a couple of times to prevent them seizing up (if your boat is out of the water you can spray lubricant from the outside as well). Our engine water intake seacock lever broke off moments after we launched one year, forcing us to replace the valve in the water before we left the dock.

• Inspect fibreglass for blisters, dings, cracks or crazing that might need to be repaired – especially those under the waterline.

• Clean heavily stained areas near the waterline. We use either lemon juice or Swaz, a cleaner that you can buy from many Greek supermarkets.

• Thoroughly clean the hull above the waterline. Wax and buff it for a professional finish.

• Strip down and service all your winches if you didn't do it at the end of last season. Pay particular attention to the windlass which gets a good workout.

• Inspect hatches, dorade vents and chain plates for any bedding or sealing problems.

• Check all external wood in case it needs refinishing with paint, varnish or sealant. We have done away with varnish on our boat and instead use Teak Wonder sealer to protect all our brightwork.

• Redo the antifouling, having sanded the surface to be painted first.

Splashdown!

Cathy King

• Replace hull and shaft anodes.

Sails and Rigging • Ideally sails were inspected, cleaned, and repaired before being stored for the winter; if not, do so now.

• Bend on the mainsail and jib.

• Clean and lubricate sail sliders when putting the mainsail in the mast track.

• Install sail battens, checking the pockets in the sail for fraying or tears.

• Inspect all wire shrouds and stays for 'meat hooks' or cracked fittings.

• Lubricate turnbuckles; turn each one and then return to original position to ensure they don’t become frozen.

Check cotter pins or rings in turnbuckles, and tape around pins to prevent snagging the sail or running rigging.

• Check the mast for corrosion, especially at the mast step. Inspect the spreaders are attached securely.

• Check the jib furler so it rotates smoothly.

• Ideally in the autumn you will have checked and cleaned all your halyards,

sheets, etc. and replaced ones that looked frayed or chafed. If not, do it now.

• Re-rig all your running rigging, making sure the sheets are correctly run through fairleads and blocks.

Engine If you made a checklist of what you did to winterise your engine in the autumn, run through it now in reverse.

• Check the fuel filter - we replaced ours in the autumn • Put in new engine oil - we always drain it in the autumn. If you're draining the engine oil, do it after you've run the engine a bit so it's warm!

• Turn on the main fuel valve - we turn ours off for the winter • Check and clean the engine cooling seawater intake strainer.

• Inspect the water pump impeller.

• If on the hard, attach a hose to a fitting in the cooling water intake and feed fresh water through the engine. Start the engine in neutral, ensuring cooling wa-

ANTIFOULING PAINT AND

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The Ionian / April 2011 www.theionian.com

such as a shower sump pump. ter passes through (a spinning prop is dangerous and out of water you can • With a hot water tank, check it works easily damage the rubber cutlass bearwhile still on shore power. ing).

Head and Holding Tank • Look for any leaks in the fuel line, at the fuel pump, and at both ends of die- • Inspect hoses to and from the head, sel injector lines. holding tank, and other discharge • Check the engine gauges while running points. for correct oil pressure and engine tem- • Pour water into the head and pump it perature. into the tank, watching out for any • Check that the alternator is charging the leaks. battery properly while the engine runs.

• Inspect fuel lines, all hoses, and alternator belts for sound condition.

• With the engine off - inspect the prop for dings or bent blades; clean off barnacles or growth.

• Check the cutlass bearing by trying to turn the prop with engine off and the gearbox in neutral. The shaft should be free to turn but not have wiggle room.

Electrical Systems • Using battery power with shore power disconnected, test all electrical systems, including running lights, interior and exterior lights, VHF radio, chart plotter, etc.

• At all accessible points, check wiring connections for corrosion and a tight fit. Use a spray corrosion inhibitor on open connections.

Water System

• Add vinegar or diluted hydrochloric acid (in a red plastic bottle alongside cleaning products in Greek supermarkets) to water pumped through the head once a month to help remove mineral scale. Occasionally pump a couple of ounces of min• Refill your water tanks. eral oil with water through the head to • Replace any charcoal filters at drinking lubricate the pump. water taps.

• Set the Y valve for discharge from the • Check the operation of all water pumps, head either into the tank or overboard,

The Ionian / April 2011 www.theionian.com

then move the handle back and forth.

Ensure it is correctly labelled and the handle set in the correct position for use.

Safety Equipment • Check that manual and electrical bilge pumps are working. (This is a good time to flush the bilge with cleaning fluid – capture the outflow in a bucket and dispose of responsibly) • Check that the flares onboard are up to date and restock with new ones if needed. (There is a temptation to keep out of date flares as a back up – aside from out of date flares being illegal – do you really want a locker full of unstable explosives on your boat?)

• Check the service date of your life raft and get it serviced if necessary – get them to make a list or better still take a digital photo of the contents inside your life raft.

• Check your fire extinguishers for a full charge and expiry date.

• Inspect your lifejackets and if selfinflating PDFs, check the expiry date of gas canisters. Replace if necessary.

• And finally….Ionian boatyards have a policy of "no cash, no splash!" As many of them do not accept credit/debit cards, make sure you've got enough Euros to settle your bill. Have a great sailing season!

If you need information about preparing your boat for offshore cruising, delivery skipper Tony Plummer has produced a comprehensive series of checklists. You can contact him at: beforethewind@talktalk.net.

Kathy King has been the deputy editor for The Ionian in 2010. She is a freelance writer and editor cruising in Greece with her husband Leighton. Cathy has just published her first novel, “Paulina Annekova”. You can download it from Amazon’s Kindle Books. www.PaulinaAnnekowa.com

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More information on our website: www.theionian.com

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The Ionian Business Services

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Experienced CELLO player (47, f) is looking for orchestra/ensemble/ musicians to play (classical) music. I am handy with reading, advanced level of playing. Don't mind playing with beginners, willing to travel. I live in Paleros and have a Steinway upright at home. Call 6971875968 or mail: machula@xs4all.nl

FOR SALE: Perkins 4-108; 1981; Warner & Borg Velvet Drive RH 1.91:1 ratio; 5000 hrs. Shaft and propeller Michigan Dynajet 16X9.

Euro 1500. mwirth@vtx.ch Apartment for sale: 60 sq. m. 30 years old. Centre of Vonitsa. 970 Euros per sq. m. Please call 69371 15056 for more information.

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