Anyone fancy an all-expenses paid Greek cruise

[charles_reed]

I've been diagnosed with an isychaemic right retina. That means I'm blind in that eye.
Medical and family opinion has come to the conclusion that I've got to get the boat back to winter quarters in Mesologgi and myself back to the UK PDQ. Only trouble, both opinions are undivided on not sailing, as has been my habit for 22 years, single-handed back to Messologgi from Thassos. Prevailing winds NE so a downhill run in a Tony Castro designed Parker 31, which is seriously quick.

About 10 days taking it easy, island hopping down the Aegean, probably through Korinthos canal and the Rio bridge.

OUT Flight LGW - Thessaloniki, coach to Kavala and ferry to Skala Prinos on Thassos and then local bus to Limenas harbour where I and boat are.
RETURN Coach Messologgi - Athens - X93 to airport and either BA to LHR or Easyjet to LGW.

 

[macd]

Charles: very sorry to read that news. Hope you get a positive response.

 

[charles_reed]

Favourite escape looks like an accompanied passage to Porto Lagos 25nm away, leave the boat there, and then coach to Thessaloniki and air to LGW.
Disappointment for friends and wife due to spend a fortnight with me in Messologgi, but that's life!!

 

[Pete R]

Favourite escape looks like an accompanied passage to Porto Lagos 25nm away, leave the boat there, and then coach to Thessaloniki and air to LGW.
Disappointment for friends and wife due to spend a fortnight with me in Messologgi, but that's life!!

Unfortunately cannot help with the trip but I lived on Thasos for a few years. Don't know how long you are going to be personally laid up but if you think you are going to be back soon there used a be a drag it out boat yard over in Keramoti where I used to winter my boat. Also just a short taxi ride to Kavala airport where the charter flights for Thasos should still be running. The holiday reps Greek agents used to sell any empty seats. Saves the bus ride to SKG.

 

[vyv_cox]

Sorry to hear your bad news. Hope all will soon be well. Unfortunately cannot help with delivery for you, we are committed to various dates back in UK. Best of luck.

Vyv

 

[sailaboutvic]

Hi Charles

Fristly we can't help we on the south of France , if we could we would , but I have a friend he too had had his boat in messy , sea dragon Terry , , as far as I know he sailing solo some where in Greece , wife back in the uk , I will email him and see if he can help you . I will be back In touch as soon as I heard any thing ,

Pm with contact so if he can I can pass it on to him

In the meant time if you get an offer for help please take it as I don't know what he up to .

dufour385.webs.com

 

[doug748]

Bad luck.

When do you hope to set off Charles?

 

[cagey]

PM on its way

 

[charles_reed]

Bad luck.

When do you hope to set off Charles?

This afternoon - had 5 CA members in touch with two outside the box suggestions.One is on his way here to nurse me across to Nea Perama and the boatyard there and I'll catch the BA flight back to Gatwick from Thessaloniki and stop this torrent of hysteric criticism from family and medic friends.

 

[andrewbartlett]

I had a similar problem in May of this year when I was preparing to leave my mooring for the first solo sail of the season . I felt a bit disorientated on going down below to get a shackel and then realised I had suddenly become blind in one eye . Luckily I had not yet left the mooring and I packed up the boat rowed the dinghy ashore drove home and my wife drove me to A&E about 4 hrs later after I had been transferred to another Hospital I was told that I had had an isyhemic right retina and would be irreversably blind in my right eye,. I thought it best to stop driving and inform the DVLA (they gave me the OK to drive about 2 weeks ago after tests.) I began sailing again after about 6 weeks. Loss of sight in one eye seems to hacve made very little difference to my enjoyment of driving or sailing I am thankful to report.I hope Charles you have a similar outcome.

 

[bikedaft]

Are you back driving? If so (and you are happy judging distances, speeds etc with one eye) then maybe (politely) tell the family where to go etc? Obviously risks of further ischaemic damage, vs getting on with living. Mind you, if you are accompanied, you may do more eg longer sails etc, that would help your confidence more.

Not sure how it works with your boat insurance? you would have to tell dvla and your car insurer, but no idea re boat.

Hope you get the delivery sorted whatever you decide