June 15th and next stop Trizonia. As usual the wind in the Gulf freshened steadily and we flew along under the jib doing 7 knots. Our arrival in the harbour at Trizonia coincided with an increase in the wind speed and we found the harbour as busy as we have ever seen it. We had one option to tie up on the quay which required some clever parallel parking! We made it with a lot of help from other sailors already there and were lucky to suffer only a minor scratch on our approach when the wind took the bow a little sharply towards the quay. It was here that we discovered we did indeed have a major battery issue. Nigel had been nursing suspicions for some time, but as the service batteries were less than two years old, he had been seeking other reasons for malfunction. However it was clear that the batteries were shot and would need to be replaced. Instead of a couple of days relaxing in Trizonia, we took the first opportunity the next day to return to Messolonghi with the wind behind us.
Our arrival back in Messolonghi coincided with a heatwave. Batteries were ordered, warranty battles began and we roasted. Replacement batteries arrived swiftly and were delivered to the boat in 40 degrees C. We rigged up a pulley system to get the old ones out of the boat, and with a little help from our musical Sardininan neighbour, managed to lower the new ones into position. Nigel rewired everything, arranged to leave the old batteries at the marina chandlery with Dimitri and we were at last good to go.
Annoyingly the company that supplied the batteries is refusing to accept that they were faulty and are hiding behind some very unreasonable and in the UK, illegal warranty terms. Beware Mastervolt, they are now part of the Navico conglomerate who apparently have no customer service ethos. So sad as they used to be a great company. Another example of a takeover that destroyed good.
On a positive note we received confirmation finally of our Irish Registration for Déjà vu. We duly lowered the Red ensign for the last time and mounted the orange, green and white tricolor of the Irish flag. Déjà vu of Dublin is now officially part of the EU again!
We left Messolonghi with more than we bargained for as we discovered evidence of a stowaway. Rat droppings in our food stores indicated the critter was well and truly on the boat and hiding below floor level. We set traps immediately.
It was essential to escape the heat of the marina and we travelled about 30 miles to the anchorage opposite the north end of Oxia. Here we hung around in the water, swam and chilled as best we could for 3 days as temperatures stayed well into the 40s, but no sign of Ratty.
We were awaiting the arrival of friend Peter from Farnham, into Kefalonia, so we headed across the port of Poros, a first time visit!
Welcomed to the quay by harbour master Spiros, we tied up with less than a metre of water under us and were glad to have arrived early as it got very crowded. Great to explore a new place, we found a bar set into the cliff to the north and a superb restaurant on a hilltop to the south. Both mentioned on the CA Captains Mate and both worthy of a visit. Traps still down, still no sign of ratty.
Eufemia next day, although the gentlemanly beat north was thwarted by 25knot headwinds, most annoying as we motored through a chunky sea. It all died down when we got close, so we anchored for a swim off Sami before heading into the harbour at Eufemia, where trusty Makis was there to take our lines. Temperatures had if anything risen a bit more.
A couple of days cleaning up and restocking and adding water, we sweated and awaited Peter’s arrival. Still no sign of ratty but research has taught us to be patient, so we continue with nightly traps and it may take a few more days before we catch him.
Life on board will carry on, we head north on Thursday 27th June, seeking shelter from very strong winds forecast for Friday.
Deja Vu 
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