Settling in! (a letter we wrote to friends in May)

Well, here we are at last - second day with the boat and it's starting to feel like home. The first 48 hours I felt terribly sick, but now completely fine, if  a little unsteady on the plank from the quay to the boat.  Weird - I know I won't fall but I get a dreadful feeling of vertigo crossing it. We went shopping in Corfu Town market this morning and perhaps went a bit overboard stocking up on the wonderful spring fresh produce. Artichokes, plump ripe tomatoes, strawberries, giant loquats. Did not buy fish but could have - there was plenty. Stopped at a cafe near the market and had delicious fried white bait washed down with Mythos beer. The food has been great and I'm afraid both our girths are expanding. We hope now that we will be preparing food on the boat that we will eat more healthily. Jane gave us a great Greek cookery book, so we will still eat Greek.

As usual with Henry and I, things don't run completely smoothly. Our boxes with stuff for the boat never arrived in Athens - we waited there for a few days and eventually decided to leave for Corfu without them. Still waiting, but have been assured that they will be here today.  On the not running smoothly subject, not sure if you all heard, my marriage certificate arrived in an unexpected name - not Kennedy, not Paine but Woodward, my ex-husbands name (divorced 15 years ago!). So, a tricky thing to explain to Greek authorities when we apply for an extension for me to stay longer than 3 months. We have been advised to report to the Alien Police for help. Sounds ominous!

We hope to set sail for Lefkada on Saturday morning where Jon joins us for a sailing course on Tuesday. I feel very nervous to start sailing, particularly before we do a course. Not so much about sailing (although we had a big thunder and lightning storm last night), but about coming in to berth. It looks very tricky and you need good, nimble sea legs!!!! Can't say I have those yet. We thought we might venture out for a sail this afternoon (or maybe tomorrow.......)

We had some cushions with our luggage, and those together with my pashmina's and kikois, a few books and the provisions, the boat is looking very cheerful.

I don't believe it, as I am writing, the courier has just driven up with our boxes, so we can start unpacking.

Lots of love
Sally and Henry