Year : 2006
January 2006 (Missed flight form Stansted. Not good start to year) ! Febuary /March 2006
Returned to Almerimar to continue socialising and cruising !
Lady lynda Siera Nevada Mountin , Photo Click Here
Suzy shoping , Photo Click Here
Exploring local area. Guadix caves, Sierra Nevada Mountains , see photos 2006 .
Guadix Caves, Photo Click Here
Guadix Caves, Photo Click Here
Siera Nevada Mountin , Photo Click Here
Yes ! Sledging, Photo Click Here
Real Spanish snow, Photo Click Here
Siera Nevada Mountin , Photo Click Here
Big wrench leaving all our good friends but march came quickly and saw “Andrew & Suzy” set sail for Alicante.
20th March 2006. “Andrew & Suzy” set sail for Alicante.
20th March 2006. “Andrew & Suzy” set sail for Alicante.
Almerimar to Mar-Minor 22nd March 2006,
Missed last bridge and found anchorage in bay as per pilot book only to find steel piling and half completed marina ! not a good place to be but as it was nearly dark we had little choice !! An hour later just as we got into bed there was a lot of horn blowing and car headlights being shone at us an guy on Loudhailer shouting at us ! Oh shit !! Shouted back in best possible Spanish and English !! and then ignored them, after a short while they disappeared and i half expected Guada Civil boat to arrive soon. Luckily they never came and we made hasty exit at first light next morning !!
22nd March 2006, Mar-Minor to Alicante (Photo link)
where we arranged to meet David and Wendy Collens for mini cruse to Balearics taking in Formentera, Ibiza town then onto Palma Majorca where we spent four days in Marina 48?? only stone’s throw from city centre. “see photos, link).
New Arivals, Photo Click Here
Wendy at Helm , Photo Click Here
David at Helm Photo Click Here
Formintera Dip, Photo Click Here
Ibiza town , Photo Click Here
ABS 1, Photo Click Here
ABS 2, Photo Click Here
David and Wendy introduced us to ABS “Another Bloody Sunset” !!!!
David and Wendy, Photo Click Here
David was very at home on the sea and looked forward to his next voyage the following year. Unfortunately this was not to be, Sadly David died the following spring, Any religious higher authority have got a lot of expelling to do. David was a very intelligent, modest and above all a real gentleman, He will be sadly missed by friends and loved ones close to him.
Ibiza town, San-Antonio, Cala Binaras, Pert San-Miguel , Photo Click Here
Cala- Portinax
Majorca, Dragonera, Mitjana, Andraitx, Santa-Ponsa, Cala-Refeubeitx
Now off back to Spanish main land “Denia” where we planned to stop for week and catch famous (Lemon) train to Alicante to pick up Nicholas and Jake his friend.
Nic and Jake, Photo Click Here
Unfortunately we ran over some flotsam and broke blade of the propeller, this caused a lot of vibration and restricted us to 2 knots.
Spent a week with Nic an Jake going back to San-Antionio with plenty for them to explore, (They were not to amused to find most clubs and water parks didn’t open for another month ) !!
Back to Denia (took 12 hours sailing ! often down to 2 or 3 Knots !) and stuck Nic and Jake back on train and onto uk. Few ! peace at last ! Umm ! how to get new Prop ??? Ended up flying back to uk and bringing back in suitcase. “ Bit of prob regarding weight”!. Managed to get lift out for hour in the boatyard lunchtime for 50 euro. Only to find prop was the wrong direction for thrust ! put old one back on and back in water , only to discover gearbox was good in any rotation ! (What a plonka) APM to rescue in the form of diving down to change it back under water with help from hose pipe for air supply held above the water by Suzy. Yippey back to 6 knots !!!
June / July 2006
It was now close to end of June and another commitment to meet Mike Price and Dave Hill who will fly out and help sail sheilah back to Gib, the start of the home ward trip back to uk and complete Shelilahs second phase refit.
I said goodbye to Suzy in Denia, as this was a male only trip ! She was to join us again in Gib. Mike informed me they managed to get cheap flight to Palma. So i ended up single handed back to Palma taking in Dragonera, Mitjana, Andraitx, Santa Ponsa, Cala Refeubeitx, (Tiny), Finally in Palma where i headed back to familiar marina 48?. Managed to back into space and retrieve lazy line on my own, “pleased with that” !.
31st May 2006, Palma Majorca to Gibraltar / Ceuta, Marocco
Three Amegos, Photo Click Here
Spinnaker flying Photo Click Here
Boys arrived and managed quick look round Palma then off the next day with easterly winds forecast for the next few days, very important as boys only had two weeks and Gib was 428 Nm Miles away,Trip involved some fast sailing via north of Ibiza, south of Cartagena and onto Gib. Arriving 4 oc in the morning where we found a tailor made birth in Marina Bay, only to be woke at 8oc by night watchman that was supposed to be keeping birth clear for another yacht ! “we did Laugh” Don’t think he lost his job for sleeping on job ??!!. We hung about a few hours waiting for Suzy to fly in, then set off for Ceuta, (Spanish enclave in Morocco). We received our first welcome in the Med since arriving some 12 months ago. Mike moored us up in difficult tight berth, we then had a great time here, not to mention the scorching heat and extremely fraught trip across the border straight into biblical times, aiming for Tanger where we found posh hotel that cost arm and leg !! Trip was made all the more memorable by the impending visit of Mohamid the 6th, King of Morocco. The travelcade went at such a speed you thought he was trying to avoid something ! ? and police stopped me from taking photos !!.
Cauta Marina, Photo Click Here
Back to Gib and we managed to get into Queensway marina where we spent a nice couple of days exploring the rock and of course the famous barbery Apes. Boys flew out of Gib leaving me and Suzy to continue trek north.
Dave Rock of Gibralter, Photo Click Here
Queensway, marina, Gibralter, Photo Click Here
14th June 2006 Gibraltar to Barbate
Taking in Barbate again (Where we had Laptop and Camera stolen with all our Moroccan photos on). Then onto Cadiz this time staying on south side in Port – Americas, had good time here watching football world cup game with visiting yachties. Would not consider staying here again !! (Swell from passing ships)
Sailed from Cadiz to Faro where Suzy was catching plane back to uk.
15th June Barbete to Cadiz (Port-America )
Next stop, Sines that offers good shelter from weather and the only option between Lisbon and cape St Vincent. Although the marina offers good facilities on this occasion the Portugal Rally had taken over . Sheilah anchored off beach a short dinghy trip from marina.
17th June 2006 Cadiz to Chipiona
To be entered when i remember ??
18th - 19th June 2006 Chipiona to Faro
Said goodbye to Suzy at airport , ”Jack Jones”
21st June 2006 Faro to Lagos
22nd June 2006 Lagos to Cape St-Vincent
Back on my jack Jones again i needed to formulate plan for next phase rounding Cape St Vincent against the prevailing famous Portuguese trade winds that kick-in firmly in July !! . Having listened to advice from others, decided to wait in Sagres bay till late evening when winds die down, “they pick up again fiercely around 1600 hours, Waited here couple of days and ventured ashore walking up over hills to view the exposed shoreline, came across many surfers indicating this was probably as good as i was going to get and thoughts of being here weeks waiting for wind to drop.
Decision made i would venture out to night and hope for best. Waited for wind to drop pulled anchor up around 2300 , sea was choppy to say the least ! i could see some lights of small vessels on similar course which gave me a little comfort ! Luckily it was too dark to take in the nasty see conditions! By this time waves were braking the bow and arriving in cockpit. Grin and bear it i thought and head out to sea giving the Cape St- Vincent a good margin. Combination of motor and sailing on starboard tack i edged my way past and the further out to deeper water the sea calmed down and about 0400 hours changed to port tack back towards land and security of Sines which was a comforting sight for my tired eyes. “My sleep pattern consisted of 15mins of doze time on mobile phone” worked for me !
24th June 2006 “Sines”
Anchored off beach again ready for early start next morning to cover the 50Nm to Cascias (Day sail).
25th June 2006 “Cascias”
Arrived in Casscias bay and the most tremendous noise coming from shore, shouting, peeping horns etc. Couldnt possibly be to welcome me ??? “Portugal had just got through to the world cup Final” !
26th June 2006 (Cascias to peniche)
Rested here couple of days then another day hop to Peniche and an overnighter onto Oporto arriving at 2300 hours to find Suzy sitting on quay waiting for her sailor boy`s safe entry !!
29th June 2006 “Peniche to Oporto”
Abandoned Sheilah in favour of week ashore with friends Hugh and Jane Forester- Walker in the Doa mountains. They have set up posh chateau type b&b in Parada de Gonta, Tondela. No one would regret a stay here with top food and entertaining hosts. WWW. Minola-portugal.co.uk .
7th July 2006 “Dad arrived in Oporto”
Back to Sheilah and the impending arrival of Dad (Alan Marshall) fully equipped with Biscay crossing gear. !!! our third crew member to help out and satisfy insurance requirement of 3 competent crew. “not sure all three of us make one “ !!
8th July 2006 “ Oporto to Bayona” (Photo Link)
Back to Sheilah and the impending arrival of Dad (Alan Marshall) fully equipped with Biscay crossing gear. !!! are third crew member to help out and satisfy insurance requirement of 3 competent crew. “not sure all three of us make one “ !!
9th July 2006 “Bayona to Audi erne” (Second Biscay crossing)
Onto Bayona (Back into Spain now) beautiful place to stroll round and take on supplies including fuelling up. Bayona was chosen as our departure point for trek across infamous bay ! with very light winds forecast we set off. Wind was indeed light had to motor for three days after which are tanks were decidedly low and still had 150 miles to go. I called up passing tanker for weather update which he kindly provided. Not so good north easterly force 7 rough seas! And 5 hours of fuel. “ohh shit” Choice was stark, starboard tack and end up off lands end / Scilly Isles, or port tack over to France. We chose the latter sailing as fast as possible with full sail before the big blow ! Not far from shelter it hit us hard, a gybe shredded mainsail and Dad was hit on the nose by floggin genoea sheets causing terrible nose bleed, all over cockpit much to skippers scorn, he’s all heart ???
Changed mainsail under very difficult conditions “no choice as we still too far out to motor and run the danger of running out of fuel off treacherous rocks this coast is well known for. The thought of needing a rescue still in front of my mind. Slogged it out a little longer an eventually made it to shelter and on with engine and into Audierne a place we stayed at on way down. Phew !! all safe and well with barley two hours fuel left.!
You have to take the rough with the smooth in this game and on this occasion we certainly got both !!!
16th July 2006 “Safe in Audierne”
17th July 2006 “Audierne to Lanildut”
After couple of days exploring Audiane we were off again firstly negotiating the Raz-de sien, across to Chaussee Dee Pierres Noir, up the Chenal Du Four and headed off to Lanildut just as ebb kicked in with force. A little tricky on entrance with rocks strewn everywhere. Beautiful place and well worth a short stay. After stocking up with local cuisine we were off next day for last leg, and Sheilah's return to UK waters.
18th July 2006 “ Lanildut to Falmouth”
After our recent bad luck we were rewarded with pleasant sail across channel and on into Falmouth where we moored in marina and headed straight for Cornish pasty shop !!! Next day Dad and Suzy caught train back to Cheltenham. And i arranged swinging mooring on visitors bouy just off marina. The next morning Suzy`s mother rang to say sue collapsed that night and was taken to hospital and she was not in a good way. I was soon on the next train back to Cheltenham. On the train i found Suzy had been taken to Frenchy hospital Nr Bristol . I left train and took taxi onto hospital. Where i met Suzy's family. Suzy had undergone a 10 hour operation to remove brain tumour, then 6 months of chemotherapy followed by radio therapy.
A week later i returned to Falmouth to sail Sheilah back to Poole much to her disapproval !!
8th – 9th – 10th August 2006 “Falmouth – Dartmouth – Portland – Poole” (APM Single Handed)
Prime time for UK south coast sail and no crew to be found anywhere!
Year : 2005
Spring started with a major refit to include new Engine Photo 'Ford XLD 1.8 Diesel', together with new exhaust system, New prop 17" X 12", with new type counter face shaft seal. Repairs to GRP hull by Tim Clark of Clarks Boatyard, Portland, where also the complete standing rigging was replaced including furlex Headsail furling gear. Works extended well into the summer 'sounds familiar'. Only returning to Poole for the end of august and straight to Hayswood technical quay for last minute stainless steel work and provisioning for journey south, crossing Biscay and warmer waters!2005 (August)
Shake down sail round isle of white with the boys “Andy, Mike and Dave Hill” calling at Lymington and Shanklin. Needles IOW Photo Click Here
September
Saw Andrew Marshall, Mike Price and Dave Hill set sail south. Day one 19th,took us to Roscoff where we anchored off to take stock of task in hand, and obtained last minute weather information. Day 2 30th, found us bashing into strong southerly headwinds trying to round Ushant. Later that night the wind shifted round to a more northerly heading 'we were off'! Day 3 and 4 brought force 6-7 and a few gusts of 8, large swell built and day five brought lighter winds an great surfing, Sheilah was in her element! GPS read 14knts on one wave! Cape Finistare was very kind to us and brought mirror like sea, hot sunshine, dolphins everywhere, and loads a flies! On with motor, cleaning bodies, cloths and ship! Ohh! and i little sunbathing. Yippy job done!
Lisbon Anchored in Cascias Bay for first night then into Marina where we had great week exploring the capital city, Lisbon. .
. Biscay Photo Click Here
. Lisbon Photo Click Here
. Lisbon Tram Photo Click Here
13th October 2005 Lisbon to Villamora
Having spent the last week exploring what Lisbon has to offer Mike and Dave flew back to uk leaving me to tidy up and take it a bit easy ! Dad (Alan) flew into Lisbon to join me and continue the voyage south. Leaving Cascias was not easy, beautiful place one could easily put down roots here !! .[many Brits have ].. The following day we rounded cape St Vincent and into the Algarve ! Sailing was brisk with steady North Easterly giving us fast cruising speeds. Villamora is our next port of call and we arrived under a cloudless sky with hot sunshine. We moored up on the waiting pontoon where the marina staff were very efficient and could tell us Sheilah visited here in 1997 , I think this was the delivery by commercial skipper from Spain to Gosport and paid for by the previous owner, . Villamora offers good shelter in modern marina surrounded with the usual marina Bars and bistros and many apartment buildings all with access to the many local golf courses.
Rounding cape St Vincent before the weather broke was of some concern, now we can lie back and relax a little, not to much though we still have commitment to be in Malaga area for half term holiday when Nicholas, Christine and Hayley were flying in.
17th October 2005
Villamora to Cadiz
On we go to Bay of Cadiz where we chose to stay in Rota marina located on the north side of the bay. We spent the night on the waiting pontoon, where we met an American Guy sailing a ketch rigged yacht who had a house and mooring up the Rio- Guadiana. Also English yacht on route to celebrate the Bi-centenary of the battle of Trafalgar,(October 1805). He also advised us of others heading that way organised by the Royal cruising club of Great Britain and have booked the next marina (Barbate) we planned on visiting for the entire week, concluding with a mock battle in Trafalgar. Where sea area takes its name.
18th October 2005
Rota to Barbete
Not having any choice without doing another overnight we decided to give it a try,! Sure enough after arriving on waiting pontoon we were advised by marina staff the Marina was in fact closed !! “no surprise there”! after detecting a distinct lack of marineros we decide to take a chance and wander round the marina and soon found nice spot and moored up pretending to be part of Royal cruising club !! it worked we had comfortable night here and quick off in the morning before we were rumbled !! .
I couldn’t help thinking of print in the front of my pilot book a quote from the author stating (the aim of the club is to promote cruising for all) !! (they sure are full if it !).
19th October 2005
Barbete to Gibralta
Sailing well with the brisk north easterlies still pushing us on south. The day saw the African coast come into view with spectacular scenery on both sides as we passed Tarifa, the area of Spain that control traffic through the straight of Gibralta. We didn’t have to wait long before the Rock came into view, this was quite a thrill and marked the entrance to the Mediterranean sea it also brought home an immense sense of achievement. Gibralta bay (Algeciras Bay to the Spanish) was certainly an eye opener with ocean going ships anchored everywhere some awaiting instructions to enter Algeciras fuel dock. Having called Queensway marina and marina bay on the VHF only to be told all full, seem to be familiar !! “we were warned” . This was partly to do with yachts congregating prior to crossing to Canaries and onto Caribbean. Just to confirm my conclusion the newly restored Gypsy Moth was spotted in Marina bay. We settled for anchoring off runway a favourite spot with yachties. Needing a few supplies we headed for shore life and a quick sightseeing trip, saving treck up the rock for a later date. As intended we arrived in Gib very low on fuel to take full advantage of Uk subsidised diesel, so next day we filled up then on our way to Benalmedina. .
Dad, Tarfa, Photo Click Here
Rock of Gibralter, Photo Click Here
South Africa, Photo Click Here
21st October 2005 (Photo link)
21st October 2005
(Photo link)
Gibralter to Benalmedina
Benalmadina marina was modern with all the usual amenaties and very impresive aray of shops and bars selling at vastly inflated prices ! “i seem to rember £2 for small glass of beer”. The layout was also impresive with an island in the middle creating a mini like venice.
Dad and I had couple of days relaxation here befor Dad flew back to uk. Christine,Hayley and Nicholas arrived a few days later on special deal with hotel alocation on arival, amazingly ended up short walk from marina and over looking beach. We all had fun week doing the usual holiday stuff with trip to local crocodile park ! “photos 1995” and short cruise on sheilah to next resort of San-Francisco [Fuengirola]
Suzy flew in but her stay was cut short and had to return to UK as her father had passed away. After many weeks of company i was on my own again and contemplating the trip onto Almerima single handed , over two days sail away i needed stopover as sailing through night was not a favourable option for me or insurance company “not insured for solo sailing at night”
Benilmadina to Herrundura, Anchorge half way
Had comfortable sail to anchorage though the night was not without event i could hear the wind pick up in the surrounding hills / mountains to alarming speeds “my guess 30-40 knts gusts. Umm! Bit worrying !.
Decided to get away early next morning before wind picked up as i sure knew it would, reefed down the mainsail and off, with force 5-6-7 behind me i experienced exhilarating solo sailing for first time and made Almerimar in good time. The not so good news was the entrance faced west, making it a little choppy !! Having vistited this marina some years earlier with Tim and Ali i had layout firmly pictured in my mind i enterd perfectly and moored next yacht on the waiting pontoon preparing for exit and all geared up for heavy weather and i arrived solo in t-shirt!! “felt good for ego and confidence” !
Suzy on Beech, Photo Click Here
Nic in Mid flight, Photo Click Here
Benalmadina, Marina Photo Click Here
Cam and Hayley Photo Click Here
Nic an Dad on beech Photo Click Here
November 2005 “Herrundura to Almerimar “
Almerimar is our final resting place for 2005, well so i hoped, Marina staff thought otherwise ! “again we were warned” they found me mooring for one night so i took it grateful and wasted no time checking out local bits for information most of which i found in local laundrette, putting on my little boy lost face seemed to do trick and soon was in with the locals “Emma on ?? Wendy on Baveria, they could tell me of two yachts that were leaving in next few days. One was actually leaving next day ! I was straight round to marina office and was told i could have birth if i got in their quick. Needles to say i was there the next morning waited for them to move and i was in !!. Few !! Yippey !!
Suzy flew in and we wasted no time in socialising with local yachties, Late Drinking , Playing Boules, quiz nights and listening to British VHF radio channel 73 at 10.30 every morning talking on many subjects and exchanging information. We made many friends here and will always look back with great affection. Others we met include George and Linda (Lady Linda), Rosemary & John (Kapenzie), Bill Podgeson on (British Tiger) Jane in (used boat bits). John & Margaret on (??). Anne & Mike on Mojo (Cat they built themselves). Amelia & Keith on (44 Bennitaue). Jim (American Guy) .
Boules Team Photo Click Here
December 2005 (Return to uk for Christmas)
Year : 2004
2004April First trip from Gosport to Poole in force 6 and biterly cold ! Photo
Photo
Poole Sunset Photo
John on the Joly roger Ship Moored next to us off Sunseekers, Quay Road, Poole
Photo
Sheilah made regular trips along the south coast. East as far as Brighton and west as far as Falmouth, together with various trips over to the Channel Islands.
Bray Harbour Alderny Photo
Lulworth Cove Photo
Lulworth Cove Tim an Ali Photo
Needles Photo
Buaulie River Photo
Folly Inn Isl Of Weight
Photo
Last year Mum was able to join us Photo