Excitement had built over the day as our 20:00 departure time from the marina for our three day sail to Seranda approached. A final check of the weather, course plotted, and at last, after a long seven months, Gratis was out upon the waters. Fishing boats and ships galore made for an interesting first night’s motor to the […]

Sanded. Biaggio taping, then painting. Doesn’t our girl look beautiful topside! The guys in Marina di Ragusa boatyard have done a magnificent job.

Weather looking good. Departure for Turkey will be either today or tomorrow. All depends upon whether the Capitainerie and customs are open today.

Mast not off Big G yet. The guy had been on holiday and yesterday was his first day day back: it should all happen today. New wire has been placed in the Gennie furler: the lock wall did a small amount of damage.

The Midi is behind us for the year and we are moored alongside a restaurant at Le Grau d’Agde. For the first time in a few months, we are actually feeling significant movement beneath Gratis.

  By mid – morning we we upon the river and ‘motoring’ toward Bordeaux. Fifteen months after departing Adelaide and three major ocean crossings later, it was almost with disbelief that we realised we were truly setting out upon the next leg of our adventures: exploring Europe and the Mediterranean. Approximately 5 knots speed of the […]