could this be where our fortune lies????
our favourite building in Barcelona
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aaaaaaahhhh
another aaaaaaahhhh
Barcelona from the top of Mount Tibidabo
Friday, 5 November 2010
some photos - at last
I can't work out how to add a file so here are a few recent photos. If you want the full collection get in touch with Alison and she will email.
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.....another beautiful day in Barcelona
The weather in Barcelona continues to be warm and sunny on the whole and as we have moved to a more protected harbour even the storms are not so scary.
We spent an exhausting 4 days in Rome - in absolute awe most of the time with the immense amount of ancient Rome not only on official show but also just hanging around to touch and even sit on to eat your picnic.
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We spent an exhausting 4 days in Rome - in absolute awe most of the time with the immense amount of ancient Rome not only on official show but also just hanging around to touch and even sit on to eat your picnic.
Emperor Mike
Making a wish at Trevi Fountains
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St Peters Square
A funny thing happened on the way to the forum.....
Modern day Rome was noisy, dirty, bad tempered - not our favourite place.
Back to Barcelona - which we love. We are spending our days playing table tennis in the park, visiting museums and galleries, ongoing boat repairs, reading, guitar practice etc etc. I know; life can be so hard sometimes!!! Phil and Denise, friends from Launceston, spent a few days with us and Terry and Chris, Alisons daughter and partner arrive tomorrow. Its good hearing English voices around as we are surrounded by Russians at the marina!!!
Monday, 4 October 2010
It can´t be October already!!!
Intrepid ship Phoenix headed north to find the glitzy St Tropez but was blown off course by the mistral which blew and blew every day. The crew headed inland and took refuge near Narbonne. But the wind still blew and it turned a bit chilly so Phoenix headed south again to find the sun. The boat escaped from the Bay of Lyon and the temp rocketed from 17 to 27 degs when we rounded Cape de Bear. Many little bays and coves later we are safely back in Barcelona, swimming every day.
While in Narbonne waiting for the wind to drop Mike got restless and a walk was planned. 28k later we staggered back and Alison took 2 days to recover but still training with the hoola hoop!
We have two lots of visitors due in the next few weeks and also - just to stop us getting bored - we are flying to Rome for a few days sight seeing. All this and still no weight lost!!! (Sorry Mrs J not wearing them yet - think will wait until return home as weather here is either too hot or damp to knit!)
On travels we have taken loads of photos but wifi seems anathema around here so will investigate adding a file of photos when we reach civilisation.
As we didn´t quite reach the warmer climes of south east Med we plan to return home mid November for a couple of months and start the travels again in spring
Love to all our readers xx
While in Narbonne waiting for the wind to drop Mike got restless and a walk was planned. 28k later we staggered back and Alison took 2 days to recover but still training with the hoola hoop!
We have two lots of visitors due in the next few weeks and also - just to stop us getting bored - we are flying to Rome for a few days sight seeing. All this and still no weight lost!!! (Sorry Mrs J not wearing them yet - think will wait until return home as weather here is either too hot or damp to knit!)
On travels we have taken loads of photos but wifi seems anathema around here so will investigate adding a file of photos when we reach civilisation.
As we didn´t quite reach the warmer climes of south east Med we plan to return home mid November for a couple of months and start the travels again in spring
Love to all our readers xx
Friday, 17 September 2010
skippers log contd
21 August 2010
After the howling winds of yesterday evening we were becalmed overnight. Motored into SInes harbour about 1100 and all the chaps swam ashore. Scaled the castle which overlooks the harbour. Evening went to old town - good food and booze for €15 per head. Staggered back to old tub close to midnight.
22 August 2010
Slow start to another how beautiful day. Bodies appear on deck about 0900 after excesses of last night. Another swim ashore before breakfast of porridge and fruit by Fay. Left port about 1100 and raised sale with gentle north westerly breeze. Heading for Cabo de Sao Vicente.
24 August 2010
Running before a stiffening westerly breeze under full sail and a very hot wind. Land fall close to Cadiz early in the morning and through straighs of Gibraltar about 1400. Strange and very choppy sea and howled across Bay of Gibraltar under Genoa alone. Dodged a large amount of shipping and followed by dolphins. Parked up in Ocean Village Marina lare evening under the famous rock.
25 August 2010
Sight seeing in Gibraltar. Rather like Truro in the tropics!
26 August 2010
Fill up with 500ltrs fuel at 62p per litre (like it used to be in UK before vat etc).
Leave 1100 and head up the coast of Spain. Very hot day.
27 August 2010
Another very hot day. On engine all day - no wind. Anchored boat to go diving in bay. Good to get a dive in and cool down.
28 August 2010
Wind on the nose and very lumpy. Changed course to Cartagena. Left about 2200 after meal in the town.
29 August 2010
Engine suddenly stopped 0200. Dan and I changed the fuel filters and got engine going again 0400. Motor sailed with a NEN force 2-3 during the day.
31 August 2010
Alison arrives today - yippee.
Arrived Barcelona 0600 and docked Port Vell. Boat arrived on time, safe and sound. Went to meet Alison at airport 1330.
Thanks to the whole crew for making the trip most enjoyable. Hope you all enjoyed the experience and maybe we will all sail together again sometime.
After the howling winds of yesterday evening we were becalmed overnight. Motored into SInes harbour about 1100 and all the chaps swam ashore. Scaled the castle which overlooks the harbour. Evening went to old town - good food and booze for €15 per head. Staggered back to old tub close to midnight.
22 August 2010
Slow start to another how beautiful day. Bodies appear on deck about 0900 after excesses of last night. Another swim ashore before breakfast of porridge and fruit by Fay. Left port about 1100 and raised sale with gentle north westerly breeze. Heading for Cabo de Sao Vicente.
24 August 2010
Running before a stiffening westerly breeze under full sail and a very hot wind. Land fall close to Cadiz early in the morning and through straighs of Gibraltar about 1400. Strange and very choppy sea and howled across Bay of Gibraltar under Genoa alone. Dodged a large amount of shipping and followed by dolphins. Parked up in Ocean Village Marina lare evening under the famous rock.
25 August 2010
Sight seeing in Gibraltar. Rather like Truro in the tropics!
26 August 2010
Fill up with 500ltrs fuel at 62p per litre (like it used to be in UK before vat etc).
Leave 1100 and head up the coast of Spain. Very hot day.
27 August 2010
Another very hot day. On engine all day - no wind. Anchored boat to go diving in bay. Good to get a dive in and cool down.
28 August 2010
Wind on the nose and very lumpy. Changed course to Cartagena. Left about 2200 after meal in the town.
29 August 2010
Engine suddenly stopped 0200. Dan and I changed the fuel filters and got engine going again 0400. Motor sailed with a NEN force 2-3 during the day.
31 August 2010
Alison arrives today - yippee.
Arrived Barcelona 0600 and docked Port Vell. Boat arrived on time, safe and sound. Went to meet Alison at airport 1330.
Thanks to the whole crew for making the trip most enjoyable. Hope you all enjoyed the experience and maybe we will all sail together again sometime.
Just like home
We´ve been staying in Badalona, a few miles along the coast from Barcelona, for several days for repairs - to the boat and M´s teeth!!! The winds in Ibiza had been so strong that even with two anchors one got bent! We´ve also had problems with the generator and compressor which is very annoying as both were brand new. All is well now and our Catalan is much improved! The weather has been very hot a sunny until today when we were hoping to leave on our way to S France. It is now blowing a hooly and raining with thunder and lightning - sounds a lot like Cornwall eh??? We´ll probably stay until Sunday when it´s back to boring old 26ยบ. We may even make a start on our newe projects - A is going to learn to knit socks (Mrs J expect some frantic texts for help!!!) and M is embarking on his new guitar.
On first inspection Badalona looked very boring but we have found a large daily market with fantastic fish, meat and veg, but better than that we have found an amazing boulangerie\cafe with cakes to die for and a local cafe where ´mama´ cooks three course dinners with a basket of bread and a drink for €6.50! Even Mike now has a little tum. We have got to grips with the Metro and pop in and out of BCN like locals.
Hopefully the next message will be from somewhere around St Trop. Take care all xxx
On first inspection Badalona looked very boring but we have found a large daily market with fantastic fish, meat and veg, but better than that we have found an amazing boulangerie\cafe with cakes to die for and a local cafe where ´mama´ cooks three course dinners with a basket of bread and a drink for €6.50! Even Mike now has a little tum. We have got to grips with the Metro and pop in and out of BCN like locals.
Hopefully the next message will be from somewhere around St Trop. Take care all xxx
Thursday, 9 September 2010
exerts from a skippers log
11 August 2010
Waved Plymouth goodbye and motored down the channel followed by a fair wind and blue skies – a good omen.
Crossed Biscay –lumpy but elements were kind to the good ship Phoenix
15 August 2010
Arrived Gijon just after dark on 14 August. Word got out that it was skippers birthday and had to accept the derision of the crew then a welcome meal on dry land – thanks to all!
16 August 2010
Still in Gijon waiting for fair winds around Finisterre. I cooked a risotto and we all survived! A day at the beach.
17 August 2010
Time to wave Gijon goodbye and head for de de de de de de de de de The Dreaded Finisterre.
18 August 2010
Finisterre ORRID. Very misty and cold. Lumpy, wind on the nose and miserable swell. Cupboards have a habbit of emptying, mainly at head hight, dodge the contents if you can. Patty did a pasta thing in a 60degree roll from side to side.
19 August 2010
Finisterre best seen from the stern
Phosphoressence torpedos (dolphins in the dark)
Beautiful sunrise
No wind until 1600 when it got up to a force 4 NW
Dan and Pete dived in with the dolphins who shied away at their new found friends.
Taught crew to play ‘Hearts’ as the sun set and lost as they learned the rules.
Dan fixed wind instruments. Peter threw screwdrivers and bulbs from navlights overboard!!!
20 August 2010
Very foggy all day. Very cold. Vis about 100yds. Wind force 7, notherly (dead astern) doing 7 knotts with ½ Genoa. This boat can sure roll. About 2200 the fog suddenly cleared and we could see the lights of Lisbon its suspension bridge and welcomed by yet more fireworks.
Waved Plymouth goodbye and motored down the channel followed by a fair wind and blue skies – a good omen.
Crossed Biscay –lumpy but elements were kind to the good ship Phoenix
15 August 2010
Arrived Gijon just after dark on 14 August. Word got out that it was skippers birthday and had to accept the derision of the crew then a welcome meal on dry land – thanks to all!
16 August 2010
Still in Gijon waiting for fair winds around Finisterre. I cooked a risotto and we all survived! A day at the beach.
17 August 2010
Time to wave Gijon goodbye and head for de de de de de de de de de The Dreaded Finisterre.
18 August 2010
Finisterre ORRID. Very misty and cold. Lumpy, wind on the nose and miserable swell. Cupboards have a habbit of emptying, mainly at head hight, dodge the contents if you can. Patty did a pasta thing in a 60degree roll from side to side.
19 August 2010
Finisterre best seen from the stern
Phosphoressence torpedos (dolphins in the dark)
Beautiful sunrise
No wind until 1600 when it got up to a force 4 NW
Dan and Pete dived in with the dolphins who shied away at their new found friends.
Taught crew to play ‘Hearts’ as the sun set and lost as they learned the rules.
Dan fixed wind instruments. Peter threw screwdrivers and bulbs from navlights overboard!!!
20 August 2010
Very foggy all day. Very cold. Vis about 100yds. Wind force 7, notherly (dead astern) doing 7 knotts with ½ Genoa. This boat can sure roll. About 2200 the fog suddenly cleared and we could see the lights of Lisbon its suspension bridge and welcomed by yet more fireworks.
Thursday – sometime later in September
Sailed to Portinatx, Ibiza earlier in the week, A’s sea legs a bit better. Have had some very hot weather but also some very strong winds which have been a bit of a bother. Mike woke us at 6 this morning as he was fed up with being thrown about the boat and we sailed an hour further round the coast – not sure of village name but its sheltered from the strong northerlies which is all we care about. We are hoping to get a 24 hour window of better winds to head back to the mainland so Dan can get on with his tour and we can get some housework done.
Mike did at least get his night of Ibiza clubbing in San Antonio a couple of nights ago. We hired a car to get us to the other side of the island and the three of us went from bar to bar watching the antics of the young – not something for the faint hearted. We lasted until 3 then had burgers – we though we had done our selves justice by then.
The camera that was lost, then found, is lost again so will be buying a new one as soon as we get the to the mainland – it’s like giving up a habit not having it about all the time.
Mike did at least get his night of Ibiza clubbing in San Antonio a couple of nights ago. We hired a car to get us to the other side of the island and the three of us went from bar to bar watching the antics of the young – not something for the faint hearted. We lasted until 3 then had burgers – we though we had done our selves justice by then.
The camera that was lost, then found, is lost again so will be buying a new one as soon as we get the to the mainland – it’s like giving up a habit not having it about all the time.
Saturday – something of September!!!
Anchored in a smallish bay, Soller in NW Majorca. Alison took a while to get her sea legs – spent most of the journey from Barcelona in her bunk!!! Maybe she’s just lazy and not sea sick at all! Its now 27C, clear blue sea and even clearer sky. Mike is keeping Dan busy installing yet more gadgetry – obviously a slave driver at sea as well as on land.
Unfortunately, cameras and internet access is still a bit of a headache so not sure when will be able to get this on blog.
Unfortunately, cameras and internet access is still a bit of a headache so not sure when will be able to get this on blog.
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Hola Barcelona
Photos from Gibralta
Saturday, 21 August 2010
Sines
21.08.10 Phoenix arrives in Sines sw Portugal today after a rough couple of days. Setting off tomorrow for Gibraltar.
text from Mike
2.45am 19.08.10 'On deck, 30 miles south of Finisterre. Beautiful clear warm night, gazing at the constellations and watching dolphins chase fish like ghosts in the efforvescense of the bow wave'
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Round Finisterre
17.08.10 Phoenix due to set off mid-day for the 500mile trip to Lisbon. The forecast is for light winds and calm seas - lucky devils!!! They expect to arrive late Saturday. Will keep you informed.
Monday, 16 August 2010
Apologies
Apologies for lack of photos - I left my camera on board! Will add them as soon as possible
Alison
Alison
from The Rev
'Enjoy your cruise and may it be a full conversion to the pleasures of sailing but without a full immersion to baptise you into it.'
an email from Rev Tony!
an email from Rev Tony!
First stop
14 August 2010
22.00 got a text from Mike to say Phoenix and crew safely tucked in to the harbour at Gijon, Northern Spain. They have had good weather with an occasional force 5. Quite large rolling waves but she was handling better than hoped for and Mike reckons we’ll be ok in the Med when I’m his only crew!!! They have seen lots of dolphins all along the route and a whale followed them for a while.
Depends on weather forecast but they will probably leave Tuesday for the second leg.
22.00 got a text from Mike to say Phoenix and crew safely tucked in to the harbour at Gijon, Northern Spain. They have had good weather with an occasional force 5. Quite large rolling waves but she was handling better than hoped for and Mike reckons we’ll be ok in the Med when I’m his only crew!!! They have seen lots of dolphins all along the route and a whale followed them for a while.
Depends on weather forecast but they will probably leave Tuesday for the second leg.
Farewell for a while
10 August 2010
11.30 Phoenix left Sutton Harbour. The British firework championships the night before were a very flashy send-off as was the cocktail party hosted by the Harbour!!! In the morning the crew – Mike, Pete, Patti, Daniel and Fay - were quiet, ate a hearty breakfast, performed a few last minute chores and set sail for Spain.
The weather is set fair for the voyage to France and through Biscay but not looking good around Finistere until Tuesday.
15.00 Have heard they have past Brest and heading for Biscay.
11.30 Phoenix left Sutton Harbour. The British firework championships the night before were a very flashy send-off as was the cocktail party hosted by the Harbour!!! In the morning the crew – Mike, Pete, Patti, Daniel and Fay - were quiet, ate a hearty breakfast, performed a few last minute chores and set sail for Spain.
The weather is set fair for the voyage to France and through Biscay but not looking good around Finistere until Tuesday.
15.00 Have heard they have past Brest and heading for Biscay.
Saturday, 31 July 2010
The Launch
15 July, 08.00 sees the start of the launch. Unfortunately, everyone involved seemed to have different times in their minds for the gun and so chaos reigned.
But by 09.30 Phoenix was in the Tamar and floating - no-one was more relieved than Mike!
After asking for Gods blessing on her and all who sail in her and baptising her with a can of Mike's favourite McEwans, Phoenix, Mike and Pete left the safe haven of Calstock and headed down the river towards Plymouth.
Here follows another 'unfortunately', 15 July brought with it a force 8 and so instead of playing around the Sound or even out to sea they had to hide in Sutton Harbour for the night. The weather calmed on the 16th and they sailed around Drakes Island before returning to Calstock where work on preparations continued.
Couldn't resist sharing the next video - Mike after a hard days work.
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Phoenix - size matters
Phoenix is built from 11mm plate steel - wobetide any pirate who gets in her way! She'll run the buggers down! She was built in 1975 by Yachtbouw Nord, Netherlands as a blue water cruiser capable of taking on the oceans of the world. She weighs 17.5 tons - its no yacht it's a ship - or thats what the boatyard chaps at Calstock tell me - who have never pulled out anything half as big. It's a Suncoast 42 with an overall length of nearly 50'. Powered by a London bus engine built by BMC. She has two masts and four sails - she's no slouch. We had over 10 knots out of her off Dartmouth on her maiden voyage. Sunday, 25 July 2010
Gor, she's a bigun
Out of the water she came. The first attempt was aborted as the tractor just couldn't manage. More pulleys and winches were required and eventually she was chocked up on dry land under the direction of Warren (recently deceased) at Calstock Boatyard.
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10knots
We collected her from Poole harbour in March 2009. The owner had gone abroad so no instructions had been left on how to make her work. We didn't even know how to fuel her. But the intrepid crew fought through force 1 winds to sail her across Lyme Bay on her way to Calstock.
Friday, 23 July 2010
The Adventure Begins
One bright March morning in 2009 Mike bought Phoenix and brought her from Poole to Plymouth. His intention was to modernise her and sail her round the world. In February 2010 he hit a snag. He met and fell for Alison who had never sailed and hated the sea! The plan changed and on 11 August 2010 Phoenix will set sail for the Med where Mike will teach Alison to sail.This blog is the first either of them has written - hopefully it will improve as the story progresses.
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