June 2026 Newsletter

My arrival at my summer sailing base just minutes from the town of Nidri was 3 weeks late this year due to the necessity to have a Hernia procedure carried out as a matter of urgency. Throughout the past winter when I had a quite extensive manufacturing programme for my other Drascombe orientated company, Just Lugger Joinery&more, and Practical Workshop Courses for Drascombe owners, this Hernia problem went from being uncomfortable to very painful
So it had to be dealt with.

With this late arrival on 17 May and my inability to do any heavy work, I totally relied upon my 2 Greek pals Nikos and Babis to get stuck in and help with prepping the boats for launch. So as one can see, 2 Luggers fully rigged, launched on 20 May and ready for my first sailing groups on the 24th.

For the first of the charters in May, Mike and his wife Georgina along with their son Chris travelled out from London with the aim of giving Chris an introduction to sailing, with the hope he would enjoy the experience and wish to continue. Being 17 years old and very shortly off to the big experience of University there is a good chance that sailing could be one of the many experiences he would come across in University life.

Later that afternoon Zander and Pam were brought down by taxi from the ferry port of Igeomenitsa. They had decided to have a pre-sailing walking holiday to Albania and a few inland towns, having flown in to Corfu, before arriving at Geni Garden apartments. Zander had just retired and is a seasoned sailor near his home and what was then his work in the North Sea at Aberdeen, so with being a past owner of a Lugger it was just a short introduction to the boat and they were off and away.

While they were here, Zander took a short video of the Dolphins.

Currently Zander is sailing around the north coast of Scotland from Stonehaven to the west coast as a continuation of his retirement adventure, but will send in a review later. My thanks to them both.

Rachel had read in my past Newsletters and from the website that I host Sail Tuition holidays for boat groups who are either beginners or those in need of more complete instruction, in particular transitioning from ‘big boat sailing’ to the more delicate art of handling a large dinghy. She was spot on and after a discussion over the phone, a week in early June was booked.

Last summer they had decided to learn how to sail and then bought themselves a Drascombe Dabber. The first issue for the was ‘How do you rig this boat?’ and the little details of how to sail it! The engine that came with the boat from a reputable dealer was not reliable and sadly the recommended marine mechanic ‘did nothing to solve the problem’ to put it politely! So those two factors last summer meant they had very little use out of the Dabber and they became very disappointed.

I always start my Sail Training programme assuming the clients are very much novices. Tim and Rachel appreciated this in our end-of-session debriefs. I spent 4 days with them in the boat each day, visiting destinations in the Meganissi channel and immediate area, sailing and covering all aspects of rigging the boat, safe use of the outboard engine and slowly building up their skills and confidence to be able on the last 2 days to take the boat out on their own and practise the techniques that we had covered earlier.

This week was extremely productive; they both could safely start and manage the engine, both in open water situations and in close-to positions like approaching a mooring or pontoon. Their rigging and derigging procedures were excellent and as a crew they worked together well. With this sound introduction I’m sure they will get back home and be able to sort out their Dabber and have some great sailing over this coming summer. I’m sure Tim and Rachel will publish their review on my website in due course

On day 4 we ventured south down the Meganissi Chanel, had a great sail in 14 knots of constant wind, tacking hard on a close hauled position for over 2 hours before getting the rig down and heading into the small beach behind Thalia Island. Again, into the shade for a much needed water break. It is so easy to lift these Luggers onto the beach for a quick stop.

The weather in mid-June has settled nicely, with a good afternoon breeze most days. Don’t try an early start since there is very little wind, but for a last sail head out to the NE to sail over near the mainland. Tim and Rachel left yesterday and it only leaves me with 3 days to prepare Tiki for her next adventure heading south with Colin and Lizzie as crew heading for their stay at Kioni on the southern island of Ithica , based at an AirB&B called the Captain’s Apartments.

For this sail and forthcoming adventure down to Kioni for the week I have changed the sails to a larger more influential rig based on the light winds forecast.

I have rigged the boat on the Eucalyptus pontoon prior to the arrival of Colin and Lizzie and will do a ‘dry run’ with Colin before they set off so he is aware of how to brail in the topsail section of the main and the procedure in hoisting and managing both main and mizen.

So good to meet up again with good friends Colin & Lizzie from Glasgow. With an early morning flight from Edinburgh it means a lunchtime arrival and as I try and do with all my groups take them for a Meza lunch at the Gialos Taverna.

For Colin and Lizzie it’s their third charter. Normally they have great pals Chris and Janey in the second boat, but not this summer as C&J have family commitments. You can follow the review Chris posted after their last adventure, Four go Luggering Again.

The drawback of such an early morning flight is it requires an afternoon’s sleep to recover, this they had and then early evening I introduced the Lugger to Colin and ran through the rigging process. All went well in just over an hour so it was time to retire to the Iris bar/restaurant for an evening supper.

So with the engine started and all bags stowed away it was was an easy cast-off from the pontoon and the Lugger was underway. Colin had opted for an early morning start to head down the channel and stop off at the small beach taverna behind Thalia Island for a breakfast break. I’m sure I’ll get plenty of pics sent back over this week from Colin on their latest adventure.

For this summer there still is limited availability at both Geni Garden and The Armonia for September and October. At Geni Garden:

• 30 August to 6 September a package at Geni Garden in a family apartment for 3/4 persons. Dependant on sailing experience the cost starts at £2180
• 2 to 9 September a package as above. The cost starts at £2180
• 9 to 16 September a package as above. The cost starts at £2180
• 20 to 27 September a package as above. The cost starts at £2180
• 30 September to 7 October this package is in a 2 bed sea facing apartment.
  The cost starts at £2050
• I have varying availability from the 30 September through to 15/16 October at Geni Garden apartments

The availability for The Armonia Garden Apartments, remembering they include an excellent Buffet Breakfast in the package cost, are as follows:

• 6 to 13 September a transfer, Lugger and 2 person garden apartment. Dependant on sailing experience the starting cost is £1980
• 2 to 9 September package as above. The starting cost is £1980
• 13 to 20 September package as above. The starting cost is £1980
• 20 to 27 September package as above. The starting cost is £1980
• 27 September to 4 October in a first floor sea view room package as above. The starting cost is £2050

So please give me a call if you’re interested in mid-October booking, or if you have specific dates and plans to see if I can meet your needs.
+44 7812 562579

Note too that I now have a beam-to berth mooring on the Eucalyptus pontoon for 2/4 boats within easy reach of Nidri town

New for 2026

Why not try airlines offering packages into Preveza Airport that give you flights and accommodation at hotels in Nidri, all at very good prices, and charter the Lugger separately. EasyJet, Jet2 and Tui all offer highly discounted flight and accommodation at hotels.

Or call me, Phil, for advice

My very best for this coming summer period, Phil. Osborne