The Plan

Our plans are to sail to Spain via Audierne in France during the 1^st week of June and spend 4 weeks or so exploring the Spanish Rias. We will then make our way south to Portugal visiting Porto and Lisbon on our way south to the Algarve and southern Spain. From mid September we are planning to visit Madeira and then the Canary isles, leaving the Canaries after Christmas for the Cape Verdes and then to the Caribbean.

A bit vague I know but then this is cruising, not an airline schedule!

Farewell Party

The weather stayed good and we had wonderful sunshine for our party. It was a weekend of highs and lows saying good bye to so many people.

It started on Thursday when I had to say goodbye to my little mini and watch her drive away. She has gone to a good home, but since I have known Sean since he was four years old, I will be able to keep an eye on her. Caveat emptor!

We would like to thank everyone who came and helped make the weekend so special. Also all the lovely thoughtful gifts are very touching and will be used and consumed on our travels, and we will remember you all when we do.

A big highlight on Sunday was when Sandpiper sailed off to start her Med cruise. We will sorely miss our friends and fellow marina dwellers but wish them fair winds and safe landfalls.

Another highlight was a visit by Janet Sainsbury and Keith Gibbs who set off next Sunday to do the TWOSTAR race across the Atlantic. We wish them lots of luck and may the only ice they encounter be in the gin.

Rigging Check

Friday 25^th May 2012

The day of the rigging check. Fortunately nothing too seriously wrong, a missing split pin, a worn shackle, a guard wire needing replacing and the Genoa halyard replaced as a precautionary measure, plus a bit of ‘tweaking’. With a clean bill of health we are good to go!

Saturday 19th May 2012

The first sunny day in three weeks became laundry day so now we finally look like live aboards, even though we are still in Royal Clarence Marina. We have moved from pontoon B to pontoon C.... so much for the cruising life.

The last few weeks have been spent emptying the house and filling the boat! Now we just have a few things left to sort out, like where are we going to keep the dinghy? Where are we going to keep the bicycles? Where are we going to keep the sewing machine? (ARE we going to keep the sewing machine?)

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the weekend. Hopefully the boat will be looking more presentable by then. If not you may well be handed a paintbrush, the deck brush, teak oil or polish instead of a drink.