a family sailing blog
The Greek Islands are a fantastic cruising ground. From a sailors perspective, anchorages are plentiful and the distances between them as long or as short as you want them to be and as long as you keep an eye on the wind, there is not much to go wrong. To my surprise though, at this time... Continue Reading →
On our second day in Loutra we decided to go on a trek to an old castle perched high up on the cliff tops. Unfortunately, we let Heather navigate. I have been lost in mountains a number of times thanks to Heathers navigating skills, so i should have seen the warning signs coming as she stepped... Continue Reading →
Our first sail was from Aegina Town to Poros. A short day sail on a blustery overcast day. Unfortunately as we had put up our main sail the previous day we had furled it with out sufficient tension and on un furling it jammed. It would furl in ok, but we could not get it... Continue Reading →
Having arrived in Greece on Monday, we launched Vega on Thursday. There is no travel hoist at Planaco, so the re launching is undertaken by tractor and a large trailer. It is always alarming to see the supports for your 10 ton yacht knocked clear as she balances on just two chocks while the trailer positions... Continue Reading →
After late nights packing and a couple of long flights we arrived back at Vega to find her looking a little folorn after her 8 months wintering on the hard at Planaco boat yard on the small island of Aegina. She was covered in a layer of grey dust and although we had stripped most... Continue Reading →
Those who have not sailed in the Mediterranean pass it off as a cruising ground which is benign and non challenging. But while there is no doubt there are far more difficult areas to sail, the Mediterranean can seriously bite the unprepared. The winds can pick up and blow hard at all times of year and... Continue Reading →
Yesterday I was pawing over an old meteorology book handed on to me by my father-in-law, Peter. As I was reading it I noticed some dog eared bits of paper protruding from the pages towards the back of the book. I pulled them out for closer inspection. They were a series of hand written... Continue Reading →
One of my earliest recollections of sailing is being below deck’s on my parent’s Leisure 23 on lake Windermere. The breeze on Windermere can be fluky and variable thanks to the steep wooded hills that surround it. As we heeled over in the puffs, I can clearly recall sitting in the cozy, warm saloon sketching... Continue Reading →
We are busily preparing for another live aboard season in the Mediterranean. This years plan is to leave the island of Aegina (where Vega is wintered) near Athens in Greece and head East through the Cyclades and then South down to Crete, where amongst other things we hope to do some whale watching (the deep... Continue Reading →
Not may bloggers seem to discuss relationships while cruising, probably as it's hard to talk about personal relationships in such a public domain, well, I'm going to give it a go.. We have met a wide range of families who cruise and we all agree it’s an awesome experience for all involved, but, its not all... Continue Reading →
a yacht more to life 