Hoy Sound lived up to its reputation and gave us a rollercoaster through the overfalls as we left Stromness bound for Cape Wrath. We made the small diversion to take a look at ‘The Old Man of Hoy’ and we were pleased we took the trouble, although the passage  along the coast was a gauntlet... Continue Reading →

Quite often, hurricanes recurve and diminish off the American Atlantic coast. Remnants can then track across the North Atlantic and eventually influence the situation in the British Isles. Sat on the train back up to Scotland, the weather ‘over the top’ has been a discussion point and uppermost in our minds. Thankfully, hurricane Beryl which... Continue Reading →

My first mistake when locking through the sea lock into the Crinan Canal at Ardrishaig, was to say "we are in no hurry". Mooring in the basin inside the lock, we waited while two yachts exited and two more locked in and promptly rafted alongside Hejira. We were then trapped and the two yachts outside... Continue Reading →

After the trials of gaining access to the Newry canal, it is ironic that the weather rendered it all a waste of time as we had to kick our heels in Dun Laoghaire for two days, waiting for a break in the persistent northerly winds. Unfortunately, the time lost meant we didn’t have the time... Continue Reading →

Adventure posts will follow next, but this is largely another ‘frustration’ missive – Aaagh! So, returning to Dun Laoghaire for some intermediate Hejira TLC, (and grandchildren cuddles), I arrived at the marina in torrential rain, not unusual in Dublin. The rain had caused a power cut in the marina, so I felt it was an... Continue Reading →

Dun Laoghaire, as most of you will probably know, is actually pronounced ‘Dun Leery’, in the way that the Irish playfully confuse us Brits with their peculiar spellings. My daughter and her family live in Blackrock which is just inland from Dun Laoghaire, in fact you can see the sea from their upstairs windows. Her... Continue Reading →

As a postscript to the windlass saga, there was no sign of the new replacement being delivered in time for our departure, due to apparent ongoing production problems at Lewmar, the manufacturers. It would be unthinkable to contemplate an extended cruise without a working windlass, so we had a problem. The decision was finally taken... Continue Reading →

This is another rather anodyne, technical blog which may disappoint those expecting witty (?) tales of derring-do. So, you have been warned! Long time yacht owners will be aware of the corrosion issues at the junction of dissimilar metals. They will be conscious of the need to treat stainless steel screws used on an aluminium... Continue Reading →

I have long coveted a painting of Hejira but all previous efforts to commission a ‘piece’ have failed for one reason or another. So, winding back for a little background, I have to explain about ‘New Blades’, the degree show for the graduates from the various University model making courses, where in excess of 70... Continue Reading →

With the travel hoist booked, you would have thought the exercise to relaunch would be ‘plain sailing’, given all the time to prepare, but not so and the tale of woe continues... Unfortunately, the six months ‘down time’ waiting for the lift onto the keel was not used productively by the retained engineer, despite my... Continue Reading →