Blog

Early June commencement with Simon and Philippa sailing down to Frikes for their 10 day stay. The visit was quite symbolic for Simon since it was the village that he was based at, teaching wind surfing and dingy sailing some 35 years or so ago, and his first holiday with Philippa. Very special memories and still local people remain that worked with him.

To make their sail to Frikes more leisurely, I went ahead with their bags in Warrior Spirit, our ex RNLI Atlantic 21 B Class inshore rescue boat. For their stay they had our Lugger Angie. She was already rigged with the new Genoa foresail, batten-roached main with topsail and the batten-roached Mizen, all new this season from Dick at R&J sails, Clevedon.

Simon said, “The increased sail area provided by the ‘roller-reef’ genoa, the mainsail (with ‘inbuilt’ top sail) and larger mizzen, allowed us to make good pace in the wind range Force 1 to 3. A great improvement!”. You can read more in his full review.

In our area of the South Ionian Sea the light to medium winds are the norm, so this sail configuration is perfect and beneficial to get the most out of the sails. The Lugger sails to windward better and from both Andy Dean and Simon the boat is far better balanced. There will be 3 more units of these sails to be made this coming winter by R&J. Well done Dick for your high quality of sailmaking.

Simon’s return to Vliho Bay saw the departure of 2 Luggers, manned by Colin and Lizzie in Ellie with their great pals Chris and Janey in Clara for Frikes for the second week of their Drascombe experience in the South Ionian Sea. Both Luggers had very experienced and competent crews; Chris and Janey had been to Frikes many years ago when they chartered with Activity Holidays based at the Armonia Hotel Nidri.

They had a great time, sailed every day, swam in coves and off beaches and never failed to get the sails up if there was wind in the offing. I wish them well and maybe Colin will be enthused sufficiently with the Lugger’s versatility to look around to purchase a boat.

For Tim and Judith it has been a long 2-year wait for their visit to sail in the Ionian Sea. Originally booked early 2020, they felt unsure of restrictions last year and now it has actually happened. Whilst arriving late through flight delays at the airport, we were able to monitor their arrival and ensure the taxi collected them without a wait. As is the norm, they were brought to the Gialos Taverna were I met up with them for a Meza lunch and very welcome cold beer, as we sat and marvelled at the clear blue sea against the backdrop of the rising steep mountains from the shoreline of Vliho Bay.

Tim has past sailing experience and recently moved into small yacht sailing, whilst Judith has had no past sailing experience. This for her was a great challenge to sail and start learning the basics whilst crewing for Tim. As you can see in the photograph of them sailing on just their second full day, the Lugger is being sailed well!

So with their 10 day stay coming to a close, they split their day with motoring / sailing in the mornings to a very sheltered cove to swim, and returning to Geni Garden for lunch. Most afternoons after a swim in the pool they would go back out for a late sail.

We have all noted in the press the issues with flights, and for Tim and Judith in the early hours of the morning of departure this became their reality, albeit a small issue. Their midday flight was cancelled and a new flight was offered, but in the early evening. To accommodate this and not have Tim and Judith waiting at the airport all day, Sandra at Geni Garden made their room open to them for the day and I left the Lugger for them to have an extended sail in the late morning. It was an instance of how flexible Dragon Drascombe is combined with its accommodation providers in dealing with these unforeseen issues. In Tim’s words, “That’s very kind, thank you so much. With Sandra being so accommodating too we feel very looked after.”

All’s well that ends well, their taxi turned up at the rearranged time and we said our goodbyes after a very rewarding 10 day holiday, bringing another busy month to a close.

As of 1 July we will be offering paddle board rental and training all based at the Iris Hotel beach, very close and opposite the Geni Garden apartments. Our first family to have these boards will be the Scott family in early July. They will be based at the Villa Eleanor and I will be posting a review of how this went.

We also have a new adventure and destination for keen Lugger explorers. Kioni is a must-visit to stay and sail from. This is matched with the apartments and facilities offered by Tim and Sue at Pebbles of Kioni. There is still availability for late August and early September. The Island of Ithaca is a wonderful Greek experience.

For those of you out there who are still contemplating a sailing holiday in late August and September, don’t forget we are still operating up to 9 October, and there are apartments and sailing packages still available.

If this summer for you is now already fully arranged, we have started taking bookings for summer 2023. Very good availability at all our venues, with a fully refundable deposit of just £200. Please note our terms and conditions.

My thanks again to you all for your interest and support in Dragon Drascombe, “Luggering about in the sun”.

Phil. Osborne
M D
Dragon Drascombe Ltd

Another overland drive from Wales to the Ionian Islands, with Lugger Katerina in tow, kick starts my 2022 summer season of ‘Sailing Luggers in the Sun’, with the first couple arriving on 6 May.

The drive through Europe now takes me six days, this with shorter driving days and regular overnight camping spots. For the last section on the Adriatic Coast heading south to the port of Ancona I now head into the hills west of Cessina, just a matter of 10 miles to an Agriocamping site.

I first stumbled upon the site 8 years ago. It was a terraced vineyard that Phillippe and his wife Celene transformed into a small camping site, along with the dining room as a part of their home where locals travel to for her wonderful pasta dishes. The area is 500m or so above sea level in rolling county side. The Parco Naturale, ‘Miniere di Formignano’, is well known by enthusiasts for its great cycling.

My work on the boats throughout the short season of 2021, given that we did not operate in 2020, has paid off. Within just a matter of 3 days, 4 Luggers and my day work boat were cleaned and launched ready for Gareth and Lisa to arrive for their 2 week stay at the George Studio.

I had been in discussion with Gareth throughout the winter about the possibilities of them flying into Corfu from Aberdeen with their tandem bike in bags, then getting the ferry to Igeomenitsa and cycling down the coast to Lefkada. Yes it is doable!

However, they chose to get to Preveza from Aberdeen via Gatwick and hire bikes midway through their stay at the George Studios. This small group of apartments on 3 levels is just 10 metres from the pontoon through a well cared for garden, and as you will note from the balcony view, one is looking over Vliho Bay with your Lugger moored below on the pontoon.

At the start of Gareth and Lisa’s stay the weather turned and improved daily, allowing them to walk to Desimi Bay in the early morning and swim. They used the Lugger to visit Nidri to shop at the local small supermarket, usually on their way out to swim, and were out most days and getting local walks done plus this second week of bike hire and riding south to overlook the port of Vassaliki. They never stopped and made use of every moment and opportunity over their stay. It was so good to meet them.

During the second week I had Marc and Linda visit for just 3 days from Holland. They are a part of the Dutch Drascombe enthusiast community and have a Dabber which they sail in the north of the country. They wanted to sail a Lugger in this environment and in particular in the sun with warm breezes rather than what one gets around the North Sea coast of Holland. They are now planning to return this September for 3 weeks or so and have become captivated by the area.

It is testament to what Dragon Drascombe has created over the past 9 years, starting with just one Lugger and now Katerina is number 9, and seeing familiar faces return year after year.

On 21 May Andy and Dave arrived, their third visit to sail Angie with my new rig. They are great company apart from being very competent and knowledgeable sailors with vast experience of boats. They chose this year to have an apartment at the Hotel Iris, just a short walk south out of Nidri and on the shore of the Vliho Bay inlet. A very nice twin-bedded room with a galley kitchen if required, but with all the outside pool, bar and eating facilities. It’s my first use of the Iris, but with the boat outside on a sandy beach it’s so convenient to have the freedom to sail when you want and have the hotel facilities thrown in. Yes, the Hotel Iris will remain on my website as an option for accommodation, especially with young families that want access to the town of Nidri.

So we have started our first full season since 2019 and will run through until mid October. Why not make a break and call for details and availability on our bookings for late June, July and September, or try a late break in early October. There are good packages available especially at Geni Garden, the Gialos Apartments and the George Studio. You’ll have a great time, sailing these great boats in the South Ionian Sea!

More Reviews Coming Soon

I will have reviews of our May sailing groups coming in the next week, and for those interested in the Hotel Iris, Andy and Dave will be posting a review this coming week.

The new Batten Roached Main and Mizen sail along with the full Genoa foresail have proved to be a great success. Andy will post his review of the great improvement this new rig has made to the sailing of their Lugger Angie. This is from a guy that has been around traditional boats for many, many years.

So, keep tuned into our website, it will have new reviews, good information and local knowledge weekly.

Remember, Dragon Drascombe Ltd are the people who have vast experience in Drascombes and based in the idyllic South Ionian Sea. You have to experience what we offer and these reviews tell the story.

Great News for Early Bookings for 2023

For any booking for 2023 made up to 1 September 2022, there is a 5% discount on the total package price, and only a £200 deposit to be paid now. The balance of the normal 50% will become payable on or before 1 November 2022, with the balance and final payment 10 weeks before the holiday.

In addition, Dragon Drascombe Ltd will pass on 5% of its profits to our HELP THE DISPLACED PEOPLE OF UKRAINE fund this summer. News of this will appear in our monthly Newsletters through this summer.

This is Katerina, now 49 years old and ready to charter for 6 May after a total rebuild. Would YOU like the great opportunity to sail this magnificent example of a Honnor Marine Lugger, originally built in Totnes, Devon in 1973, and now totally rebuilt with modifications and equipment suited to Med sailing by Dragon Design in South Wales. Be tempted!

What a transformation since her arrival in January! After her full refit she now boasts a navigation centre and our Dragon Design swimming ladder. There is no other like it!

Take a look at the great reviews from 2021 and call Phil for further information.

We have discount price packages for early bookings at our accommodation venues Geni Garden, The George Studios, Hotel Iris, Gialos Apartments and last but not least the splendid Villa Eleanor.

To whet your appetite, some starting prices of packages, where each package includes:

1. Private hire taxi to and from Preveza Airport
2. The designated apartment or Villa
3. The fully equipped, insured and licenced Drascombe Lugger.

Geni Garden

For May, a 2 person apartment package will start at £1390
Or try late season, September is a great month.
A September package will start at £1570

The George Studio

For May, a 2 person apartment package will start at £1285
Moving forward to September this package will start at £1500

Hotel Iris

We currently have apartments available for 2 persons in May. A package would start at £1390.
In September a package would start at £1690.

All the above are for 1 week, but there are so many other options, so please call Phil for advice and guidance.

More great news for 2022, we have commissioned Dick at R&J Sails to make and supply two sets each of:

• Batten roached main sails
• Batten roached mizen sails
• The upgraded full racing size Genoa head sails. For those wishing to sail these Luggers to their full potential, this is the best sail rig possible and so great in the Southern Ionian Sea.

To conform with current Covid regulations, the initial deposit has been reduced to 20% on confirmation, with the balance of the 50% deposit due on 1 March. Our full terms and conditions are available on the website.

At the beginning of January 2022, can you go forward in your thoughts six months and envisage sailing, swimming, exploring and having a relaxed holiday in the South Ionian Sea, sailing a Drascombe Lugger? Yes, this is more than achievable, take a good look at our client reviews of 2021 and in previous years. They are impressive! These set out the arguments for booking with Dragon Drascombe Ltd, sailing Luggers in the sun.

To summarise these recommendations I quote Katy, Stephen, Peter and many others on their findings:

Firstly, Geni Garden apartments are a perfect base, great accommodation, fantastic waters-edge environment and attentive owners Franz and Poldi to look after your every need, not forgetting their daughter Sandra. Brilliant people. Along with this Vliho Bay is a safe and enclosed area to get accustomed to sailing, with great sailing in and around the Meganissi island. It goes without saying, all groups love this stable, warm climate and the predictable winds. From the shaded apartment balconies in the morning you can venture out on the Lugger under engine to visit the bakery at Vliho for the morning’s fresh bread and Greek delights, returning to have an idyllic breakfast on the apartment balcony. What a great start to the day!

Acclaimed by our clients, there is no strict program to sail. It’s about your decision to sail whenever it suits. We at Dragon Drascombe will accommodate your program. To sum up, we offer a well regulated, safe and organised package, which enables our clients to feel looked after and given full security oversight, but without infringing on their freedom on holiday. What more can we say!

New for 2022

Yes, another Lugger to the fleet, Katerina is in the process of being rebuilt. I purchased her on the east coast in November, and she was in very poor structural condition, left bouncing up and down on a drying out mooring, hence severe damage to the hull, centre board/rudder casing. To commence, she has been totally stripped out, power washed and new Drascombe joinery has been pre-fitted prior to her total colour respray.

My rebuild blog on Katerina will be displayed every 2 weeks on the website, complete with pictures.

More great news for 2022, we have commissioned Dick at R&J Sails to make and supply two sets each of:

• Batten roached main sails
• Batten roached mizen sails
• The upgraded full racing size Genoa head sails. For those wishing to sail these Luggers to their full potential, this is the best sail rig possible and so great in the Southern Ionian Sea.

For those out there considering family, group or just single person holidays this coming summer of 2022, take a good look at our venues:

• Our base at the wonderful Geni Garden apartments
• The incredible Villa Eleanor
• The quiet and waters edge George Studio 2 bed apartments
• Our new venue at the Hotel Iris, which is just 1 km from Nidri
• Not forgetting the Armonia hotel and apartments, a great venue for groups

To conform with current Covid regulations, the initial deposit has been reduced to 20% on confirmation, with the balance of the 50% deposit due on 1 March.
Our full terms and conditions are available on the website.

Our last sunrise across Vliho Bay In mid October 2021, and still enjoying the warmth of swimming off the Luggers. With groups still enjoying the more temperate weather of late September and early October in the South Ionian Sea, in the daytime it’s around 26 degrees, a perfect time to explore the islands and harbours of the Meganissi area.

However, it’s getting time now to fully clean and prepare the Luggers for their winter storage. Look back on the website at my early blog of the rebuild of Angie in April this year. Angie has been used by groups for the past 3 months, all commenting on her great looks and stunning rebuild. This is how she has cleaned up and refreshed ready for the winter storage, yes she has retained the high standard of rebuild despite the many hours on the water and in this unforgiving Mediterranean environment.

Despite our late opening on 4 July due to Covid restrictions, we have had a number of 2020 clients who rolled forward bookings plus several new bookings, some still opting to join us next summer when we hope to see a more free and open environment.

However, it has been very successful, the reviews posted by clients on the website paint the picture and outline the salient points of their wonderful holiday:

• Great weather and a perfect sailing area
• Iconic Luggers presented in top condition with great features for Med sailing
• Apartments and Villas in the quiet hamlet of Geni, all presented to a high standard and wonderful environment
• Very local to Geni Garden are great tavernas , accessible in the evening by boat or on foot, just 15 minutes away

And so many more, but also great comments on our organisational processes, sailing introduction to the Luggers and overall oversight of their well being during their stay. So many thanks for that.

The highlight of the summer was our Kids Summer Sailing Programme in late July and August. For the kids it was a real Swallows and Amazons adventure, sailing to a beach across the water, lunch at the small seasonal Kantina, and having great fun mixing and making new friends.

With the weather in August getting into the upper 30s, swimming was great and when out on the water there was always a cooling breeze, this is where our Lugger biminis came into their own. You could sail under jib and Mizen with it up, perfect to hide under when having a picnic lunch and then a swim in a bay or cove.

September arrived and the temperature dropped to a modest 32 degrees, wow what a change! This is an extremely popular month for use, along with May and June. Our bookings for these months have already started to come in for next summer, we open the first week in May and conclude at the end of the second week in October.

To conclude this memorable sailing season, on 10 October I was very honoured to have been invited to the Greek Orthodox Naming Day ceremony, of Nikos and Nasia’s daughter, Katerina. This is similar to the Christening of a child in the Anglican Church.

Nikos and his family own the boatyard where the Luggers are kept and where I operate from as a land base when yacht Dawn Dreamer is not in the water on anchor in Vliho Bay. The family have become very close to me, they help organising my boat work during the winter, all my sails and delicate equipment are stored in their hotel and they keep a watchful eye on the winterised boats during bad weather. True and trusted friends.

I really did not know what to expect of this occasion. However, very pleasantly surprised. A full family event, so informal with children from small babies to teenagers, galloping around, the Priest oblivious and not bothered by the noise and chatter and the 2 hour ceremony just flowed.
Indeed a memorable afternoon and what a way to end the season, on a high and now planning for an earlier start next year in early May.

Please, if you are giving ‘Luggering about in the sun’ a thought for a 2022 holiday, then don’t delay making a booking, it’s going to be a sought-after holiday experience.

Take a good look at the updated website for more news. We will be using the Iris Hotel on the shore of Vliho Bay for family groups and our new sail training courses for beginners, although of course all our apartments are also open for these groups.

For the Winter Newsletter (published in mid November) I will be outlining my new and exciting scheme for you to become involved with a Lugger syndicate group in the Greek Ionian. Have an ownership within a small group of a fully rebuilt Lugger. Be able to use that Lugger for up to 5 weeks a year by yourself or with your family. More details in my Winter Newsletter.

To all those who I met with this past summer, had a few beers with or dined together, my sincere thanks for making the choice to ‘Lugger about in the sun’.

Phil. Osborne
MD
Dragon Drascombe Ltd

Going back over 10+ years I met up with Debbie Muir and in collaboration with the staff at Vliho Yacht Club we jointly organised kids sailing and days out on the water for local youngsters. This ran its course and like a lot of things people’s commitments changed and things moved on. After a meet up with Debbie at the Hotel Iris one afternoon we made plans to give it another go with new parents, local and Northern European families who have made roots in the area, so it was a fresh start.

A key to this plan was Debbie’s organisational skills. Her two girls are at the local school so she knew everyone. Simon Atkinson, who along with his wife Lucy run ‘Get Active’ threw his hat into the project and would take the second Lugger, leaving myself to accompany in the rescue tender that I use as a work boat.

So it was all planned 11 kids in total, for the last Saturday in July, 9.30 at the Hotel Iris beach.

For the kids it was going to be a Swallows and Amazons adventure. Our destination was a beach on the western coast of Meganissi, just behind Thalia Island, having lunch at the small seasonal Kantina, swim and have great fun mixing and making new friends.

It didn’t take long before the water pistols came out and we had running water battles between the two boat crews.

It was a case of motoring south from Nidri Bay down and keeping more to the Meganissi side to slide through the gap between the 2 islands. Beaching the boats was not a possibility since it was quite turbulent from the wash of other boats, so it was a case of anchoring off and swimming ashore, and that was just great fun in itself.

With swimming over, well just for the moment at least, it was time to get a table at the Kantina for lunch. There were some very impressively big sausage rolls being attempted plus big bowls of chips, not a lot of local cuisine however!

So it’s now time to head back. Mass application of sun cream to be administered, hats and tops to be worn, after all it was still 35 degrees! The breeze had picked up since the morning so it was time to unfurl the jib and set out the Mizen for a steady sail back to Nidri. And off course there was another swimming stop before getting home.

What a great day, thanks to Debbie and Simon; the kids just loved it. The next day out is planned for 14 August, again with 2 Luggers. What other boat is so easy to transform into a great learning and fun experience for kids?