Winds predicted yesterday arvo 10kn (20km). In actuality 40kn (80km) continual. Winds predicted today 15kn (60km), Bob’s guess is this will mean gusts from 50 – 60kn (100-120km). Departure tomorrow instead. A day of rest at last!

With no desire to deal with the possibility of damaging furlers, as happened last year, and to provide greater ease of outdoor helming, we made the decision to remove and store the mast, furlers, sails etc. This morning saw us motoring around to Port Napoleon where the mast and so forth were removed and placed in […]

Yesterday morning the lock opened and a good sized ship passed through. Highlight of the day was watching viewing the water jousting. This morning we take Gratis round to Port Napoleon and take down the mast.

This morning the four of us caught sight of the Lock that allows boats to enter and exit the Rhone at work. Unlike the Garonne River, due to the mouth being silted, it is impossible to enter an other way. Going for a wander today, Bob and I checked out Port Napoleon, the place where the […]

Late this afternoon we arrived in Port St Louis du Rhone and the lock into the Rhone is just across from us. To date Gratis has taken us across 23,061nm at an average of 5.3kn/hr over a total of 4201 hours (just over 175 days). Not bad in 3 years of travel.

A delightful anchorage at the base of limestone cliffs in 12 metres of water clear waters in Calanque de Magiou.

A gentle day of motoring in which we saw numerous gaff rigs under full sail brought us to the peaceful anchorage of Point Rousset on the Ile de Porquerolles. This morning we are motoring to Cassis.

Well we are departing beautiful Saint Tropez for Toulon: a short 40nm run. Highlights: La Citadelle, a museum so well done The arrival of the super yachts for the Les Voiles de St Tropez (a Rolex performance yacht race)  

We have thoroughly enjoyed our short stay in Saint Tropez. Depart for Marseille tomorrow morning.

We loved this small township with its narrow streets and hidden alley ways: relaxing, peaceful and people so friendly. Now Gratis is on her way once more. Light winds are currently seeing us motor along the coastline of the island. Later this afternoon, we leave land once more as we cross the Ligure Sea to […]

After a pleasant motor sail we arrived. Rugged high mountains are a topped with soft cloud this morning.

A pleasant all night sail/motor where fishing boats were the only hazards to really beware of: in the Mediterranean very few have AIS and many don’t use their lights. Even when they see you, the helmsman will abruptly make a turn and head directly for you. The Isle of Elba (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elba), some parts of which […]

Gratis has just been anchored in Porto Azzuro, Isle of Elba. In a first, we had calm waters all the way across. A tidbit: it was here that Napoleon was exiled for a short while after his first major defeat, but only a few months since he managed to escape – avoiding all military forces upon his way […]

Just pulling out of Porta di Roma. Next stop Elba, then top of Corsica. About a day’s sail for each. Has been a lovely stay here. Close to buses and trains and fantastic facilities. 150 euro for the 3 nights.  

What a magnificent day. On exiting the train station, the Colosseum was the sight that greeted us and it only continued getting better.

Totally exhausted through lack of sleep caused by uncomfortable swells and an ornery wind, we have at last arrived in the Port of Rome.

Hidden within a cloak of cloud and smog, we have just caught glimpses of Vesuvius: WOW!!!!!!! It’s another day sail to Port of Rome.

After a fantastic day on Capri we are catching the weather window and heading to the Port of Rome tomorrow.