And so, it was time to head out on the last big voyage of the season, which would see us into Licata on Sicily. It was still dark as we headed out of Sleep Deprivation Bay! After a night registering a full 10 on the discomfyometer. The swell was from the SW and we were …
Captains Blog 27 – My Animal and Other Families
It was a beautiful day when Paul and Mandy visited us at Gouvia Marina and all the smelly jobs were done. I made myself look busy for when they arrived around lunchtime. I spotted them walking towards Gianti and stood watching as they stopped behind our neighbours’ boat. “where do you think they are?” asked …
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Captains Blog 26 – Oo Wee Ooo, Poo Poo Pee Do!
We left Reggio Di Calabria at 1pm and as we turned out of the marina the sails went up. We cruised south out of the Messina Straits on a broad reach with a following sea making good time as we rounded the toe of the mainland. Eventually the wind faded and the engine went on. …
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Captains Blog 25 – Stink Bombs and Storm Bound
Before heading away from Trapani, we were treated to a meal out with Karin and Erling to celebrate the first mate’s 21st!!! We had a great night at a fish restaurant across from the marina with a cracking view of a beautiful sunset. Happy birthday first mate, you’ll be working twice as hard tomorrow to …
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Captains Blog 24 – My Precious
“Good night out eh first mate?" “Yeah, excellent, but looking forward to an early one tonight.” “Yep, I agree, I’m knackered”! The day after the birthday bash and both feeling a little more fragile than usual. Move forward 4 hours: “So, all agreed then, we’ll set off for Sicily around five.” Gianti and Nike would …
Captains Blog 23 – Big Boat, little boat, Rah Rah Rah
“Land ahoy” I cried to the first mate, “land ahoy”. She was doing something geeky on her iPad and glanced nonchalantly at the first sighting of Sardinia. The cliffs were spectacular and bigger than we’d expected. Now, the crossing had thrown up a couple of issues. Firstly, the pressure relief valve on the hot water …
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Captains Blog 19 Bad Day at the Office*
It was time to leave La Linea and Gibraltar, but not before we’d filled the fuel tanks with the cheapest diesel yet. We motored out of La Linea after making sure we’d stocked up with plenty of essential provisions from Morrisons (Sausage Rolls, Scotch Egg, Green & Blacks Chocolate etc). Typically, the winds started to …
Captains Blog 18 Journey to the end of the earth, or Europe at least!
The weather was fine but with little wind the day we left Ayamonte for Mazagon. We arrived early evening and tied alongside the bouncy visitor pontoon. It was spookily quiet so the decision was made to find and empty mooring and sneak on. The following morning, we booked in with one poor bloke, juggling multiple …
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Captains Blog 17 Time to Get Handy
Still moored in Ayamonte, where processions and celebrations were continuing, boy they were glad to see us. The weather was looking pretty grim, so the decision was made to head to Sevilla and posh things up in a nice hotel for a couple of nights. There’s no direct rail service from Ayamonte so bus it …
Captains Blog 16 -Toodle Pip Lagos
Time to go? Err, what’s the weather doing? Seems okay, but it’s getting windier. Let’s go now then! “Marina Lagos, Marina Lagos, this is Gianti”, it's time to lift that bridge and set us free. Obrigado. Ha! and as for you Chaplin, you’re history, we’re off. Eight nautical miles later the first mate and I …
Our Big Boaty Adventure 