Heading South This Week
OK OK I’m sorry, we’ve been pretty much cut off from ‘civilisation’ for a few weeks now hidden away up a tranquil little creek just opposite the beautiful church of St Just in Roseland in Cornwall. We’ve struggled to get a mobile signal let alone internet access hence the lack of updates.
Thanks to friends Ben and Alex we’ve been able to moor ‘Gleda’ in a completely sheltered mud berth to complete the preparations needed for the next chapter in this years adventure the trip South to Portugal. As an added bonus the weather has been excellent, far better than August but the nights are drawing in, the leaves are beginning to turn, it’s time to move.
It’s been good to re-charge the batteries a little although I’ve been working steadily through the jobs list, everything is ready now and on Wednesday evening I’m picking up Jake ( Tiki 26 ‘A Roamer’) from Exeter airport and then on Thursday morning we’ll be off. ‘Gleda’ is as prepared as I can get her and so am I, I’d be lying if I said that there was no trace of anxiety, I’m under no illusion that it’s no small thing to cross Biscay and sail down the Spanish and Portuguese coasts but I’ve done as much as I can, it’s what ‘Gleda’ was built to do and it’s the culmination of all that’s been done since May when we moved out of the barn.
We have a berth booked for the Winter in Lagos marina on the Algarve and I’m really looking forward to chilling down there and taking stock but before that there’s some sailing to be done!
So if the Universe is kind the next post I’ll write will be from foreign shores and I’ll have lots to tell you about.
See you later guys.
Well done Neil. I hope you have a good trip. I’m sure Jake will be a valuable crew member. All the best and I look forward to reading about the journey. Lot’s of photos please.
Go Neil.
You are well prepared, dont wait more as you dont want a nasty weather on your way.
Que la force soit avec vous!
Go for it Neil, this is where the real adventure starts!
I like your “View From The Nav Seat”. We all sit in our boats before they’re finished, looking out and imagining what we’ll see one day. Maybe blue sea, sandy beaches and palm trees, instead of a boatyard, or in my case an English garden. You’re already achieving one of the aims you mention at the top of the page – inspiring others!
Fair winds!
Woohoo! Hope you have fair winds and safe travel, the question is will there be three of you sailing or two…? xx
Jealous?? Moi??
All the very best!
PS
Be sure to programme the correct Lagos into the satnav, or you may find yourself running out of baked beans
Loverly mooring you have there. Bucolic, serene, and the water is so calm.
Speaking of the Nav Seat is there any chance you could put last first, assuming you’ll be updating in the future.
Gleda looks gorgeous in the photograph above. You have a fantastic adventure ahead and I look forward to hearing news of voyage, once you have crossed Biscay. Your journey is absolutely inspiring. Take care and enjoy every moment.
Make a stop in Sagres, just after cape st Vincent and before Lagos. Splendid fishing harbour.
Looking forward to the next chapter!
Fair winds to you and your crew, Neil!
May you travel safe, my friend! It is wonderful to see you realizing your dream after all the hard work and dedication! Seize the adventure while you can. Blessings and fair seas!
most bichin
Beautiful! Fair winds and safe travels.
Thumbs up matey! Let the adventure begin…
Hi Neil,
Helene and I are good friends of Jake back here in Alderney, we have been lucky enough to spend this summer learning how to sail A-romer around the channel islands, and we have been hearing all about Gleda from Jake and she’s looking fantastic!!.
Sad to see you can’t make a pit stop here on the rock on your way south but I’m sure you’ll swing by when you get a chance in the coming years. Really excited to hear all about the trip from Jake, and will also keep eyes on your site to see all the pictures!
Best of luck, fair sailing!
Ben and Helene
Thanks Guys
Just watched the video of your trip in ‘A Roamer’, looks like you had fun. Yep, we’ll get to Alderney one of these fine days, keep you posted!