Double Punch

By the time our sail was changed, all the other boats in our flotilla - lead boat excepted - had departed for Zakynthos. It was going to be quite a long sail, so I was eager to set off as soon as we could. Secretly I was quite confident about catching up, even overtaking, some of the other boats, especially with my new sail. 

As we left the shelter of Cephalonia we waited for the extra knot of wind to arrive. Nothing happened, in fact the wind died completely. It was very strange: we were almost becalmed and having to switch on our engine, while over to our right we could see a boat heeling over in strong wind.  And then ... the wind arrived ... and it quickly became a very strong wind ... and help! ... we had rather more sail up than I would have liked.

The wind was gusting up to 20 knots and packing quite a punch, but I was pleased to see George & Yorkie were taking it all in their stride and relishing the speed through the water. I was pleased to have the wheel to hang on to, and my safety line. 

Not surprisingly we made good time and as we got closer to Zakynthos we came within the shelter of land and could all relax a bit. Once again we had a pleasant mooring and this time it wasn't us who was moored up alongside the ferry.

That night we had a flotilla punch party with lots of delicious nibbles, all beautifully prepared by our lead crew. I took the opportunity to get acquainted with our charming Kiwi hostie, Katie. As readers, who were with us at the time of the posts of our previous flotilla, should know, I do have a soft spot for hosties and like to have my photo taken with the them ...   

It was a lovely punch party and everyone was chatting and getting to know each other, as welll as enjoying the punch and nibbles. At the end we were still hungry enough to head for the local taverna.

Have you worked out the double punch?

Lots of love Eddie, George & Yorkie xxx



It Packs a Punch!

One of the things our lead crew do particularly well is that they arrange a mean punch party.

There are several ingredients for a successful punch party:

a) plenty of punch made to a secret recipe, but not so secret that you can’t identify appreciate some of the component ingredients, especially the Malibu and fruit, which are especially to a bear's taste.
b) some nibbles to absorb the punch, so enabling you to drink more – Stu’s cheese and caramelised onion dip was a big hit here!
c) a fine Mediterranean beach
d) an appreciative audience

We bears certainly provided the latter. While the humans were drinking their punch from little plastic cups, we got stuck in and downed a measuring jug full at a time –with a little encouragement from our lovely hostie, Holly of course.


Please don’t think for a moment that we were greedy and deprived anyone else of their fair share. The truth was that as the punch was provided in barrels, there was more than enough for everyone.

George & Yorkie note: that may be true, but it is also true to say that Eddie was the only one who stuck his whole head in. Strangley enough he can’t remember much that happened after that moment!


Anyway, great fun was had by all, to such an extent that a few days later we did it all again when we met up with another flotilla. After all it's good to be hospitable isn't it?

Lots of love, George, Yorkie & Eddie