The 2025 sailing season is now over for us too. Aglaya is ashore and over the last few days we have completed all the necessary work for winter storage. As heavy rain was forecast for 4 November, we hurried to put the winter tarpaulin in place. After we leave, the mechanic from Manitsas Marine will come to flush the cooling system and do a thorough check of the entire engine. We will probably be in contact with him from time to time over the winter.
Stavros Manitsas is the owner of the boatyard. You have to take a little time to get to know him. Our first visit to his office lasted an hour – not only because we discussed everything concerning our boat with him in great detail. We came away with the impression that Aglaya is in good, experienced hands here. Stavros also told us a lot about his family's eventful history. Originally (more than 100 years ago), they lived in Crete. The family no longer felt safe there and moved closer to the Ottoman capital Istanbul, to a small island in the Black Sea. In 1922, after the founding of the Turkish state, the Greeks were expelled. So his family settled in Nea Peramos near Kavala. Many Greeks who were expelled from Turkey at that time founded new places, all of which begin with the term ‘Nea’, including Nea Peramos.
With a touch of sadness, we left our Aglaya behind in the pouring rain. Sleep well, Aglaya, we'll be back in the spring!
