Author Archives: mir

On our overnighter to Brest we were accompanied most of the way by dolphins and another sail boat. 60% sailing and 40% motor as the wind disappeared. We went the long way around to see the, probably, the most famous lighthouse in the world, La Jument (The Mare). We had a print on our wallContinue reading “Brest”

Brugmansia vulcanicola

We finished our neolithic rollar coaster tour with a beer in the Fraggle Rock bar on Bryher. The following day, before we set off to St Agnes, the most southerly of the Scilly Isles, the first mate had her first driving lesson. The chef promised us fish for tea – yeh right. Four hours ofContinue reading “St Agnes in the fog and neolithic log”

Our cook has many interests, one of them being ancient neolithic burial mounds and standing stones. So today we were dragged around the islands of Tresco and Bryher looking for neolithic stuff. On our incredibly interesting hike around the two beautiful islands we stumbled across another couple of our cooks other interests, castles and churches.Continue reading “Neolithic Log – Stardate 080823”

Sad few days saying goodbye to all our families and friends, lots of tears and lots of beers. Thanks for all the good wishes. Weather kept us in the marina for 5 days but we got going on Thursday 3rd August and headed for Milford Haven. We flew through night reefed in and heeled overContinue reading “Leaving Pwllheli”

These fronts keep rolling in every alternate day stopping us from going anywhere. Next one is called storm Patricia. These are the current wave heights in the Irish sea. (Using Cefas – Thanks Russ) Down by the Scillies the wave heights are 6.6 metres, never seen that big before. Unseasonably unsettled weather. Looks like itContinue reading “Waiting”

The boatyard is an interesting place, so many different people with different plans for their boats. This was our second time in the yard. In preparation for our upcoming trip we had the boat lifted out to do a few final jobs. These include fitting a solar arch, sanding and antifouling the hull, and propeller,Continue reading “Wee Beastie removal and other boatyard jobs”

A piece composed, performed, recorded and produced by my mate Ian Trotter with a little help from Richard Burton, Samuel Coleridge, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and me. It is entitled “My Abiding Memory”. It has of course got a sailing theme.

Well in this case it was the prop shaft that fell off. We were on our way to Ireland when the 4 bolts of the flexible coupling failed. This is the thing that connects the prop shaft to the gearbox so we had no engine and had to turn around, sail back to Pwllheli, dropContinue reading “Sailing and life: You worry about the mast falling down and the rudder falls off”

September 2021. We had arranged to pick Richie up in Stranraer so set off from Port Ellen, Islay, at sunrise with a quick stop for a photo opportunity outside the Lagavulin distillery. See Whisky Galore. The irish sea is an amazing place to sail around. It is busy, challenging, full of life and it isContinue reading “Didn’t we have a lovely time the day we went to Bangor”