The Tauernhof building team arrived end of February catching the last of what has been the wettest and coldest winter we can remember.  Eberhard with his truck and trailor brought from Austria all the building materials as well as doors, windows and underfloor heating system.

Some of the building team

Thanks to those that donated money, time and expertise, today Sandra and I have been able to move in and for the first time in almost 30 years of missionary service we have a place to call home.

We’ve still to install a kitchen and furniture, but hope over the summer to save what is needed to be able to buy the remaining things to make it a comfortable place for us and those that would visit.

Sandra meanwhile has been recovering well after her surgery now two months ago.  She still suffers with her swollen leg from which her vein was removed for the bypasses.  The bottom line is she needs to rest more.  Thankfully a cook has been found that will replace her on the boat this season.

We’re now in the midst of preparing the boat for the summer season and our main concern has been regarding our main engine which has had water get into the oil, and our generator that keeps cutting out.  Minimum cost for the a bove work so far has been around 4,000 euro.  Next week we should know the extent of the damage in the engine and see then if we’ll need to haul it out to fix or even replace.  With the approaching Impact Training course, the pressure is on!  

Finally the rain came and it seems it won’t stop.  There have been all sorts of extreme weather phenomenon, with gale force winds and snow storms. Gladly we’re warm and dry ashore in the old farm house.

who wouldn't want to be out of the water?

Preparations are being made for a final push to finish our home at least to the point of being able to move in.  A team of builders from Tauernhof will be here end of February for about 10 days to install all external doors and windows, heating system, do the plumbing, electrics, plaster and tile the floors.  Rather ambitious it would seem, but the guys in Austria seem quite confident it could be done.  Eberhard from Germany has offered to truck everything we need so things might go as smoothly as possible.

Then it’s up to Sandra and I to install kitchen and in general furnish the place which we’ll do as funds come available.

August, a very active month in the Greek islands.  Everyone’s come away on holidays, trains, busses, ferries full, accommodation hard to find.  This August Skopelos hosted the regatta for a week long, hustle and bustle everywhere.  

Our Sailaways this year were mostly attended by German speakers.  Three of them where exclusively run in German language with the help of German speaking leaders.  However Sandra and I (Theo), as well as Matt and Dezi (crew) where far from understanding them, some groups though made every effort to include us by speaking English as much as possible which was rather nice.

Meanwhile the house building project continued throughout the summer.  Every time we were in Skopelos I’d check on the progress as well as receive updates from Stephen and Tanja who camped on the property for the whole summer as ground keepers.  They pruned the olive trees and worked hard to remove thorn bushes as well as helped us with shopping and laundry every time we sailed in to Skopelos.

Finally our summer weather has set in and we’re now experiencing the sweltering heat it typically brings.  We’re starting and finishing most of our Sailaway programs at Skopelos this year which will make for a more pleasant time between groups, far from the the city heat, noise and mosquitoes along the docks of he port of Volos.

Port of Skopelos

All our Sailaway programs are now full and this season we look forward to exploring further the outer remote islands of the Sporades group and possibly Skiros to the south.

Our guest speakers this summer are Gerhard Groumer  (pastor from Schladming), Richard Welsh (missionary in Albania), Chris Thomas (Torchbearers exec. Director).

Meanwhile the building project continues with a finish date of all the exterior work around September.  Stephan and Tanja are tenting on site and are presently helping with keeping the grounds, building stone retaining walls and will later help with electrical and other odd jobs on the house interior.

Our house viewed from the back

They intend to stay for the whole summer with a view to consider staying on long term.  We’re very glad to have them and they are already a great support to us whenever we sail into Skopelos, as they help with shopping and laundry too.

We hope some skilled volunteers will join us from November onward a month or so to finish up inside the house so as we can occupy it this winter.