Sunday evening was distinguished by firework displays along the Spanish coast. We understand that they were to celebrate the ‘Assumption of Mary’ whatever that means. When attending a firework display on land, it seems that the rockets shoot up really high before their fulfilment – watching from the sea it always surprises me that, when... Continue Reading →

  Yesterday, or was it the day before, we had a marvelous six hours of sailing under the Parasailor at a good speed with the engine off and silence prevailing – bliss. Unfortunately, this and a fitful 2 hours the previous day is the only sailing we have done, and it is a huge disappointment.... Continue Reading →

Closing the Spanish Coast just south of the Bay of Roses, we picked up the mobile signal again which enabled updates of the weather forecast and so many other things. We have become so very dependent on data; it is only when access is denied that our addiction becomes starkly apparent. What we didn’t expect... Continue Reading →

For those of you that have not travelled to Europe since the relaxation of restrictions following the Covid crisis, let me share my experiences and those of my crew. Travelling to France now requires a double vaccination certificate and a declaration that no symptoms have been experienced recently. It is not now possible to check... Continue Reading →

Covid restrictions have prevented a practical access to my cherished ‘Hejira’ for over 18 months and she has been stranded in Baie des Anges Marina near Nice in the South of France. To cap this complication, Brexit has imposed an imperative to return the yacht to the UK as, despite having paid VAT on the... Continue Reading →

In the absence of any personal sailing adventure stories due the lack of access to Hejira moored in France (it is nearly a year since I last clapped eyes on her) and with the America’s Cup action shaping up to be ‘a cracker’, I hope you will forgive me a little indulgence. To whet your... Continue Reading →

With the third lockdown stretching into the future and no prospect of visiting Hejira in Nice or even getting afloat in the baby T/T Hejira dinghy on the Thames, I thought that a Nautical Quiz might give a little welcome yachty diversion. I prepared this quiz for a ‘Bon Voyage’ party I threw for the... Continue Reading →

With plans all made, equipment ready to pack and supplies all purchased, the adventure started to implode. First the new COVID lockdown meant that the second and third nights had to be aborted much to the apparent disappointment of the crew – or was it relief? Assuming we would be okay before the lockdown came... Continue Reading →