… you can adjust the sails … that’s a good motto for life but for a sailor there is also the other option …. to change the destination ! The trip to Lundy was frustrated by the wrong winds – not strong as such but coming from the wrong direction to round Lands End andContinue reading “You cannot command the wind but …”
Author Archives: Derek
Should I stay or should I go?
Not just some well known lyrics but an actual dilemma for cautious sailors like me. Visiting Lundy island was one of the joys I had to forego on my round Britain trip in 2021 as the weather, or more particularly the winds, were not right for the very limited anchorage on the island. Last yearContinue reading “Should I stay or should I go?”
New perspectives on Thalmia
I do hope you all had a good year in 2022. For Thalmia and I it has been a great year for sailing. Crossing the Channel in May to Guernsey, Sark, Jersey, St Malo and up the river Rance to Dinan. Then the Scillies in June where Ruth and I revisited many of our favouriteContinue reading “New perspectives on Thalmia”
Second best is still very good!
July and August were quieter sailing months. Family took precedence. Thalmia and I did join in a “race” to Dartmouth in August. There was very little wind so the challenge was getting there under sail power only! We managed it, singlehanded, including a fair stretch with the cruising chute – drawing well! I had hopedContinue reading “Second best is still very good!”
The Reward!
As always, the Scillies did not disappoint. The weather was not as sparkling as we have enjoyed in the past and it was quite breezy on some days. But it was worth the slog to get there. I visited Tresco and St Mary’s while waiting for Ruth to arrive. We then spent a very pleasantContinue reading “The Reward!”
Do not go gentle …..
Dylan Thomas had it right! Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. It’s been two years that we haven’t “done” the Isles of Scilly. First the pandemic, then last year was consumed by my circumnavigation of the wider Isles of Britain – well someContinue reading “Do not go gentle …..”
Across the English Channel and up the river Rance to Dinan
Early May and it was time for an early voyage! Eventually 3 boats set off from Starcross Yacht Club in company. The original plan was to sail to Brixham and leave the following morning for a daylight crossing. However with stronger winds forecast we made a late decision to go overnight. Sailing singlehanded overnight includingContinue reading “Across the English Channel and up the river Rance to Dinan”
It’s 2022 and a new season starts!
Hard to believe that it was 12 months ago that I set off on my solo round Britain circumnavigation! What might this year have in store? Check out my latest short YouTube video!
Memories!
I prepared some videos and posted these on YouTube. Initially these were for my benefit, to be able view my video and photographic memories on a big TV screen over the winter months and in years to come. I did however post some links to these on Facebook and a couple of web forums andContinue reading “Memories!”
Carpe diem!
It’s not only in comedy that timing is everything. I said I would arrive last Sunday at 17:30 and that’s when I arrived and was met by a cacophony of horns and cheers from family and friends at Starcross Yacht Club on the Exe. First though I was met by our Cruiser Secretary and crewContinue reading “Carpe diem!”
The grand finale!
Calm seas and settled weather meant I could anchor in Carbis bay off the harbour at St Ives. Although Thalmia could take the ground, and in settled conditions like this settling on the hard sand in the harbour would have been ok, I wanted to start early the following day, at low water, to roundContinue reading “The grand finale!”
Into the home straight!
I had a moment of panic after I departed from Pwllheli when the autohelm alarm went off and the message “Drive lost” appeared! I pushed home the plug in the socket however and drive returned! I would hate to think of the implications of a failure in this my trusted crew member – especially onContinue reading “Into the home straight!”
Voyages of Thalmia 