Lisbon, Portugal -> The Algarve, Portugal ->Essaouira, Morocco -> Fuerteventura -> Gran Canaria -> Tenerife Loaded up with new crew members (1 Belgian, 2 Dane, 1 Brit, 1 Portuguese and 5 Germans), we set sail from Lisbon with sunshine, blue sky, light winds from behind, no fog and small waves. It seemed almost cruel that the … Continue reading The Race to the Canaries

Isles of Scilly -> Lisbon The Bay of Biscay is infamous for rough water, due to the dramatic change in depth just inside the bay. The swell that builds up inside the bay from east travelling waves is large due to the huge uninterrupted distance these waves have been able to travel across the Atlantic … Continue reading The Battle of the Biscay

Dublin -> Milford Haven -> Bristol -> Padstow -> Isles of Scilly Our course turned to south and our pace increased. Instead of 25nm day sails between the Scottish Isles, with leisurely group breakfasts and long sundowners, suddenly we had more than 100nm to cover every day. Watch plans sprung into action as we continued … Continue reading When your rooster crows at the break of dawn…

Our sailing trip through the eyes of my mother... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfmA6HS3JTs “Hold on! Hold on!” Joanna’s voice can just be heard above the pounding of the swell as Pantagruel’s bow rounds the crest of another wave and we brace ourselves for another drenching. Looking at that video clip now I smile - did she seriously think … Continue reading A Trip Through the Corryvrechan Whirlpools – By Marian Hutchinson

Once Pantagruel had made it safely through the Caledonian Canal, we were free explore what Scotland’s west coast had to offer. We were pushed and pulled by the 8 knot currents of the Corryvreckan (one of the most dangerous stretches of water in the British Isles), drank our fill of whiskey on Islay and repented … Continue reading Whiskey and White Water

With a strengthened bond from conquering the north sea together, Micha and I finally enjoyed a relaxing few days sailing slowly up the north coast of England, visiting parts of my country which were new to me. After the stress of the past few months, it was important that we had this time together. It … Continue reading The Great Glen

53°52.05’N 008°42.99’E Pantagruel, Micha and Jo, Cuxhaven, Germany Pantagruel, Micha and I reunited in Cuxhaven at the entrance of the River Elbe. We’d been monitoring the weather in the north sea - a potentially formidable stretch of water, standing between us and our next destination port; Edinburgh. To reach the NE coast of England we … Continue reading North Sea Crossing

Pantagruel, Micha and Jo 54°28.30'N 9°50.05'E Eckernfoerde, Germany The sun finally came out in Eckie town (Panta’s home harbour), along with the sandpaper, varnish and thankfully another half a dozen pairs of helping hands from Eric, Fabian with Lottie the dog, Nicole, Stefan, Martina and Rieke - thanks guys! With these forces combined we managed to … Continue reading The final count down

Pantagruel, Micha and Jo 54º63.13’ N  009º93.06’ E, Arnis, Germany “Grrrrroooarrr!” The tiger leaping out at me in my dream of roaming in the Sundabans Delta back in West Bengal morphs seamlessly into the noise of an angle grinder spitting into action from a few boats down. It’s 730am and life in the boatyard is … Continue reading Working our way out of the boatyard