The continuing adverse current coupled with a short chop and the wind directly on the bow made the morning slow. This was not helped by my decision to ‘skirt’ a military firing range between Otranto and Brindisi, I figured that, given my luck on this passage, I might take a shell just below the water... Continue Reading →

At 14.00, a most remarkable thing happened. The wind picked up to a nice F3/4, Just in front of the beam and with full sail, on a flat sea, in cloud free sunshine, WE SAILED ! This blissful situation turned into a lively romp as the wind built, cracking along at 6-7 knots. This was... Continue Reading →

You might think that the title of this blog suggests an encounter with the United States Air Force, well you would be wrong – read on. The period of sailing after the boisterous exit of the Strait was short lived as the wind disappeared once again and I had to reach for the key to... Continue Reading →

A telephone conversation with the hugely knowledgeable Barry has been very reassuring and once I have carried out a few precautionary adjustments, I feel that the next time I feel compelled to turn the engine off and experience the joys of silent sailing; I will have a better idea of how to address any ensuing... Continue Reading →

The wind died progressively through the evening but maintained sufficient strength and angle to keep the main full drawing while Hejira and I motored languidly on the flattening sea. My first night back underway should have been a gentle introduction allowing untroubled 20 minute catnaps in empty open water. In the event, I began crossing... Continue Reading →

I slipped the lines this morning at 0610 and made my way out into an expected F4 on the nose in a lumpy sea under grey skies. The forecast is for the wind to drop but not till much later. Helpfully it is forecast to veer and the sun is due to make an appearance.... Continue Reading →

My return to the office saw the electrical specialist leafing through brochures of batteries, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he had promised to return to Hejira 3 hours before. The news was depressing, the nearest battery to my specification was listed at costing over 1000 Euros each and dimensionally longer necessitating modifications to the... Continue Reading →

I hung on as long as possible before turning in and then enjoyed the best night’s sleep that I can remember for a long time – over 12 hours! It’s almost worth getting exhausted for the pleasure of such a wonderful untroubled sleep ! For those of you that read the Hejira blogs for light... Continue Reading →

The sail past the south of Elba continued to the north of Giglio and proved to be a really spirited affair. Carrying full main and jib, we (me and Hejira) were caught in what must have been an ‘Island Acceleration Zone’ rather like those in the Canaries as the wind spontaneously built to 30kts, way... Continue Reading →

Well, it was quite a baptism for my first solo night. Having motored all day with only minimal assistance from a ‘floppy jib’, the wind picked up off Cap Course after dark. It is quite usual for the wind to be stronger as it funnels around headlands and it was not unexpected.  There are shipping... Continue Reading →