I can’t believe we are about to start our fourth season as
live-a-boards, it doesn’t seem six months since we arrived back in MdR after
our trip to Malta, so much has happened over the winter.
live-a-boards, it doesn’t seem six months since we arrived back in MdR after
our trip to Malta, so much has happened over the winter.
On arrival in MdR the social activities began in earnest,
Monday and Friday evenings were happy hour in the Stella Marina Bar, the “Men’s
Crack”, (basically where the men met at the bar for a few drinks and discussed
how they could put the world to rights), was on a Wednesday, followed by the
writers circle which I joined and wrote a children’s story for the
grandchildren which I was quite pleased with.
Monday and Friday evenings were happy hour in the Stella Marina Bar, the “Men’s
Crack”, (basically where the men met at the bar for a few drinks and discussed
how they could put the world to rights), was on a Wednesday, followed by the
writers circle which I joined and wrote a children’s story for the
grandchildren which I was quite pleased with.
Then there were the special events, one of the American
couples, Wanda and John organised a Thanksgiving party, I don’t think they
expected so many to attend. At the last count there were over 80 people, the
original plan was to hold the event in the marina meeting room but it was not
big enough and so one of the local restaurants helped out. The next problem was
how to cook three large Turkeys and a joint of Pork, once again one of the
local restaurants helped out. Everybody attending was to bring a dish, either
starter, vegetables or a dessert, in the end there was so much food, but hardly
anything was left, the even was a resounding success.
couples, Wanda and John organised a Thanksgiving party, I don’t think they
expected so many to attend. At the last count there were over 80 people, the
original plan was to hold the event in the marina meeting room but it was not
big enough and so one of the local restaurants helped out. The next problem was
how to cook three large Turkeys and a joint of Pork, once again one of the
local restaurants helped out. Everybody attending was to bring a dish, either
starter, vegetables or a dessert, in the end there was so much food, but hardly
anything was left, the even was a resounding success.
One Sunday several of us went olive picking, this appears to
be an annual event within the marina, the wife of the farmer used to work at
the marina and each year they ask for help with picking the olives. They are
not well off and any help they get is greatly received, and so a group of us
hired a couple of cars and set of for the mountains/hills, laboured for the day
and then paid for our evening meal, never paid to work before but we all had a
great day.
be an annual event within the marina, the wife of the farmer used to work at
the marina and each year they ask for help with picking the olives. They are
not well off and any help they get is greatly received, and so a group of us
hired a couple of cars and set of for the mountains/hills, laboured for the day
and then paid for our evening meal, never paid to work before but we all had a
great day.
At the beginning of Christmas our Dutch friends put on an
event to celebrate Christmas, they provided traditional Dutch food and
everybody attending had to bring a small gift in a shoe, at the end of the
night you collected your shoe where your gift had been replaced with another, a
bit like the English “Secret Santa”,
again another resounding success.
event to celebrate Christmas, they provided traditional Dutch food and
everybody attending had to bring a small gift in a shoe, at the end of the
night you collected your shoe where your gift had been replaced with another, a
bit like the English “Secret Santa”,
again another resounding success.
Another event organised was an Open Mike night, several of
the Live-a-Boards got together to either sing or play and instrument, at first
Kevin and I weren’t too bothered about going as we thought it would be a bit
like Karaoke, which we are not too keen on. I have to say though we had a great
night, one of the best and one we will never forget, the talent amongst the
Live-a-Boards was amazing.
the Live-a-Boards got together to either sing or play and instrument, at first
Kevin and I weren’t too bothered about going as we thought it would be a bit
like Karaoke, which we are not too keen on. I have to say though we had a great
night, one of the best and one we will never forget, the talent amongst the
Live-a-Boards was amazing.
On another occasion we five of us from the marina joined a
local walking group to do an 18K walk from Ragusa to Santa Crotche, what we
didn’t expect was to be joined by 250 other walkers, it truly was an amazing
sight to see all these people get off the bus to commence the walk.
local walking group to do an 18K walk from Ragusa to Santa Crotche, what we
didn’t expect was to be joined by 250 other walkers, it truly was an amazing
sight to see all these people get off the bus to commence the walk.
Over the winter we also made new friends of different
nationalities as well as meeting up with old friends from the previous winter,
our pontoon which had been quite quiet the previous year was full this year and
people often stopped to chat as they went by. A couple of my favourites were
Wiley and Rosie a couple of terrier puppies adopted by Maggie and Broncho our
Canadian friends, they were so cute, the puppies that is. There were also
barbeques and invites to other boats a plenty, Kevin and Brett were invited
onto Mobilae for a Thai cooking lesson curtesy of Maarten who is a very good
cook, between them they cooked up a great meal.
nationalities as well as meeting up with old friends from the previous winter,
our pontoon which had been quite quiet the previous year was full this year and
people often stopped to chat as they went by. A couple of my favourites were
Wiley and Rosie a couple of terrier puppies adopted by Maggie and Broncho our
Canadian friends, they were so cute, the puppies that is. There were also
barbeques and invites to other boats a plenty, Kevin and Brett were invited
onto Mobilae for a Thai cooking lesson curtesy of Maarten who is a very good
cook, between them they cooked up a great meal.
We had originally planned to return to the UK on the 22nd
of December, but Kevin found a 50ft Beneateau Oceanis for sale in Portugal with
a good specification. We had been looking for a bigger boat throughout the
season and although viewed several none fitted our requirements, this one
seemed to fit the bill. So we changed our plans and headed to Portugal to view
the boat.
of December, but Kevin found a 50ft Beneateau Oceanis for sale in Portugal with
a good specification. We had been looking for a bigger boat throughout the
season and although viewed several none fitted our requirements, this one
seemed to fit the bill. So we changed our plans and headed to Portugal to view
the boat.
We spent five days looking over the boat, having it
surveyed, going for a test sail and finally negotiating final cost and the things
we wanted the owner to do before we purchased. Before we left for the UK the
price had been agreed and we were set to be the owners of a new boat, all we
had to do was pay for it.
surveyed, going for a test sail and finally negotiating final cost and the things
we wanted the owner to do before we purchased. Before we left for the UK the
price had been agreed and we were set to be the owners of a new boat, all we
had to do was pay for it.
We spent Christmas and New Year with family first staying
with my daughter Claire in Milton Keynes, it was great to spend time with her,
Steve and Isaac, Christmas morning we were woken early by a blue flashing light
and a siren, Isaac had had a policeman’s outfit and couldn’t wait to show us, I
had forgotten what it was like to be up in the early hours of Christmas
morning.
with my daughter Claire in Milton Keynes, it was great to spend time with her,
Steve and Isaac, Christmas morning we were woken early by a blue flashing light
and a siren, Isaac had had a policeman’s outfit and couldn’t wait to show us, I
had forgotten what it was like to be up in the early hours of Christmas
morning.
After breakfast, sharing out presents, and watching Isaac as
he opened his with sheer excitement, we headed up to Derby to see Kevin’s
daughter and the two granddaughters, the girls were so pleased to see us and
made a big fuss of Kevin, it was great to see the delight on his face, and
again the excitement as Summer and Taylor opened their presents and showed us
what Santa had bought them.
he opened his with sheer excitement, we headed up to Derby to see Kevin’s
daughter and the two granddaughters, the girls were so pleased to see us and
made a big fuss of Kevin, it was great to see the delight on his face, and
again the excitement as Summer and Taylor opened their presents and showed us
what Santa had bought them.
It was then off to Kevin’s brother’s house, where we were
treated to one of Madeline’s scrummy Christmas dinners and more present
swapping. We spent a relaxing three days with them before heading back to my
daughters for New Year.
treated to one of Madeline’s scrummy Christmas dinners and more present
swapping. We spent a relaxing three days with them before heading back to my
daughters for New Year.
It was soon time for me to head back to MdR, Kevin was
staying behind as he was going to work for his old boss until the end of the
month. Back in MdR it was great to catch up with everybody and I had so many
invitations for dinner I don’t think I spent one night in the first week I was
back.
staying behind as he was going to work for his old boss until the end of the
month. Back in MdR it was great to catch up with everybody and I had so many
invitations for dinner I don’t think I spent one night in the first week I was
back.
The weather was much colder however and I ended up having to
buy myself a hot water bottle, haven’t needed one of those in years. Each
morning at 0800 it was Shibashi on the beach sometimes it was so cold the sea
felt warmer, and on some days we were even doing it in the rain, must have been
mad, but as I sometimes lead the group I felt I had to turn up as did everybody
else it seems.
buy myself a hot water bottle, haven’t needed one of those in years. Each
morning at 0800 it was Shibashi on the beach sometimes it was so cold the sea
felt warmer, and on some days we were even doing it in the rain, must have been
mad, but as I sometimes lead the group I felt I had to turn up as did everybody
else it seems.
It was soon time for me to head back to the UK, however on
the Wednesday before I left friends at the marina put on a surprise 60th
birthday party for me, I was totally shocked at how many people turned out for
the event. It was a great night with the marina bar supplying three birthday
cakes all extravagantly decorated and a glass of bubbly for everybody.
the Wednesday before I left friends at the marina put on a surprise 60th
birthday party for me, I was totally shocked at how many people turned out for
the event. It was a great night with the marina bar supplying three birthday
cakes all extravagantly decorated and a glass of bubbly for everybody.
Back in the UK I had even more surprises as Claire took me
to London for lunch and to see Circus Solei, I must say some of the acts defied
gravity, and totally awe struck at the positions two girls could get their
bodies into. On the day of my birthday Claire had arranged for us to all go out
for dinner to the local restaurant. Isaac couldn’t wait for me to see the
balloons which he had helped his mum attach to the chair.
to London for lunch and to see Circus Solei, I must say some of the acts defied
gravity, and totally awe struck at the positions two girls could get their
bodies into. On the day of my birthday Claire had arranged for us to all go out
for dinner to the local restaurant. Isaac couldn’t wait for me to see the
balloons which he had helped his mum attach to the chair.
We spent the rest of the month staying at our friends Linda
and Dave’s house in Derby as they had
gone on a two week Caribbean Cruise, again we spent time with our family and
friends, and spent two lovely days with Summer and Taylor, Kevin’s granddaughters.
and Dave’s house in Derby as they had
gone on a two week Caribbean Cruise, again we spent time with our family and
friends, and spent two lovely days with Summer and Taylor, Kevin’s granddaughters.
The final treat for
my birthday was to go and see 50 Shades of Grey with Madeline and Evie, I have
to say having read the book it was what I had expected to see.
my birthday was to go and see 50 Shades of Grey with Madeline and Evie, I have
to say having read the book it was what I had expected to see.
Instead of going back to MdR as originally planned we headed
to Portugal to take ownership of our new boat and start to get her ready for
our fourth season. Things didn’t seem to get off to a good start, both battery
chargers broke and so we had to purchase new ones, I broke a mirror, a bung
came out of the water pump and so we ended up with the water tanks leaking into
the bilges, at least they are now clean.
to Portugal to take ownership of our new boat and start to get her ready for
our fourth season. Things didn’t seem to get off to a good start, both battery
chargers broke and so we had to purchase new ones, I broke a mirror, a bung
came out of the water pump and so we ended up with the water tanks leaking into
the bilges, at least they are now clean.
We also decided to change the name of the boat from La
Chamare (which is a mythical monster) to Kailani which is a Hawaiian goddess of
the sea and the skies. It took some deliberation to arrive at a name we both
liked and even then with a shortlist of three we still could not make up our
minds, and so we put it to the family to decide for us and it was a unanimous
vote Kailani.
Chamare (which is a mythical monster) to Kailani which is a Hawaiian goddess of
the sea and the skies. It took some deliberation to arrive at a name we both
liked and even then with a shortlist of three we still could not make up our
minds, and so we put it to the family to decide for us and it was a unanimous
vote Kailani.
We had both heard that it is unlucky to change the name of a
boat without going through some sort of ceremony first and so I spent some
considerable time looking online at what we needed to do. There appeared to be
a lot of alcohol involved mainly for the Gods of the sea and the four winds,
and we were to ensure that the old name had been erased completely off the
boat, easier said than done. I wrote down the various speeches that had to be
made to the god and with the required alcohol at the ready we proceeded with the
ceremony, by the time we had toasted the gods there was a small amount of
bubbly left for us so we are hoping we will be well looked after by them.
boat without going through some sort of ceremony first and so I spent some
considerable time looking online at what we needed to do. There appeared to be
a lot of alcohol involved mainly for the Gods of the sea and the four winds,
and we were to ensure that the old name had been erased completely off the
boat, easier said than done. I wrote down the various speeches that had to be
made to the god and with the required alcohol at the ready we proceeded with the
ceremony, by the time we had toasted the gods there was a small amount of
bubbly left for us so we are hoping we will be well looked after by them.
Within a week of Miss Lilly going on the market we had a
call from the broker informing us someone was interested in buying her. After
their initial visit they wanted to proceed with a survey and a test sail and so
we hastily made plans to get back to MdR, on this occasion we decided to drive
there in a car big enough to enable us to offload all our belongings from Miss
Lilly and transport them back to our new boat Kailani.
call from the broker informing us someone was interested in buying her. After
their initial visit they wanted to proceed with a survey and a test sail and so
we hastily made plans to get back to MdR, on this occasion we decided to drive
there in a car big enough to enable us to offload all our belongings from Miss
Lilly and transport them back to our new boat Kailani.
Our drive through Portugal, Spain and France was an
enjoyable one, but unfortunately we had only just driven over the boarder to
Italy when a car in the outside lane drove across us, pushing us into a car on
the inside lane, fortunately there was not much damage and both of us were
unhurt, but it delayed our journey by and hour and a half whilst we had to deal
with the Italian police.
enjoyable one, but unfortunately we had only just driven over the boarder to
Italy when a car in the outside lane drove across us, pushing us into a car on
the inside lane, fortunately there was not much damage and both of us were
unhurt, but it delayed our journey by and hour and a half whilst we had to deal
with the Italian police.
The overall trip however was successful as we sold Miss
Lilly, the down side was we couldn’t get everything into the car so we ended up
giving stuff away, however Helen of Dakini said she would look after my handbags.
Our last night on board Miss Lilly we managed to get 16 people all at once on
board to help us dispose of all the wine and beer we could not fit into the
car, it was a great farewell night.
Lilly, the down side was we couldn’t get everything into the car so we ended up
giving stuff away, however Helen of Dakini said she would look after my handbags.
Our last night on board Miss Lilly we managed to get 16 people all at once on
board to help us dispose of all the wine and beer we could not fit into the
car, it was a great farewell night.
On the trip back we stopped off for a couple of nights in
Florence a place both of us wanted to visit, we found a great hotel just
outside the city with a shuttle bus which would take us in free of charge.
Unfortunately the museums were closed and so I did not get to see the tribute
to David, I did however climb the 466 steps up to the top of the cathedral,
plus the bell tower to look over the city.
Florence a place both of us wanted to visit, we found a great hotel just
outside the city with a shuttle bus which would take us in free of charge.
Unfortunately the museums were closed and so I did not get to see the tribute
to David, I did however climb the 466 steps up to the top of the cathedral,
plus the bell tower to look over the city.
Back in Portimao we spent most of our time cleaning and
polishing and repairing things that had gone wrong on Kailani. We took her out
for another test sail to find our brand new Gold Navionics chart did not seem to be working.
So Kevin was straight onto the supplier, who was baffled as to why it was not
working. Kevin soon found the answer, our new card only started from Gibraltar,
he had inserted the wrong card into the plotter.
polishing and repairing things that had gone wrong on Kailani. We took her out
for another test sail to find our brand new Gold Navionics chart did not seem to be working.
So Kevin was straight onto the supplier, who was baffled as to why it was not
working. Kevin soon found the answer, our new card only started from Gibraltar,
he had inserted the wrong card into the plotter.
We also tried to get our rigging checked and someone to
build us a Stainless steel frame to house the solar panels and hoist the dingy,
however neither chap turned up as planned and so we would have to find somewhere
else to get the work done
build us a Stainless steel frame to house the solar panels and hoist the dingy,
however neither chap turned up as planned and so we would have to find somewhere
else to get the work done
As the time drew near for us to leave Portimao we kept an
eye on the weather forecast, the winds were predominantly south east, which was
not what we wanted, eventually a window appeared in the weather and so we
planned to take it even if it did mean we would get wet from the rain.
eye on the weather forecast, the winds were predominantly south east, which was
not what we wanted, eventually a window appeared in the weather and so we
planned to take it even if it did mean we would get wet from the rain.
On the day we left the skies did not look as dark as we
expected and so we hoped that the predicted rain would stay away. We cast off
and headed out to sea, outside the breakwater the sea was quite choppy and the
boat rolled from side to side, once clear of any obstacles we prepared to hoist
the main sail. It was then that we noticed the main halyard had become
disconnected to the sail and it was soon swinging about all over the place.
Kevin tried to retrieve to no avail as the boat was rocking and rolling all
over the place, and so we left it and prepared to motor sail all the way to
Canal de Olhao, and inland waterway, one of our favourite anchorages, so
tranquil.
expected and so we hoped that the predicted rain would stay away. We cast off
and headed out to sea, outside the breakwater the sea was quite choppy and the
boat rolled from side to side, once clear of any obstacles we prepared to hoist
the main sail. It was then that we noticed the main halyard had become
disconnected to the sail and it was soon swinging about all over the place.
Kevin tried to retrieve to no avail as the boat was rocking and rolling all
over the place, and so we left it and prepared to motor sail all the way to
Canal de Olhao, and inland waterway, one of our favourite anchorages, so
tranquil.
On arrival at the anchorage we found one of the caps of the fresh
water strainer had broken and a large amount of water has leaked into the
bilges (another good cleaning) and so we had to make an unplanned visit to
shore to stock up with some water bottles, plus partake in a beer.
water strainer had broken and a large amount of water has leaked into the
bilges (another good cleaning) and so we had to make an unplanned visit to
shore to stock up with some water bottles, plus partake in a beer.
The following morning Kevin attempted to try and mend the
cap of the water pump, which seemed to work, but we were not sure how long it
would last and we just hoped we could get a new one in Gibraltar. We left the
anchorage around 1100 and headed back out to sea, with me at the helm, however
when we got to the exit of the channel I handed the wheel back to Kevin, the
tide was against us and the sea looked a little exuberant for my liking,
however once out into open sea everything calmed down and we settled back for a
long sail, at least 24 hours.
cap of the water pump, which seemed to work, but we were not sure how long it
would last and we just hoped we could get a new one in Gibraltar. We left the
anchorage around 1100 and headed back out to sea, with me at the helm, however
when we got to the exit of the channel I handed the wheel back to Kevin, the
tide was against us and the sea looked a little exuberant for my liking,
however once out into open sea everything calmed down and we settled back for a
long sail, at least 24 hours.
The journey was quite uneventful really, we saw hardly
anything during the day, just as it got dark we saw tuna nets off Puerto de
Conil, they were well lit and we saw them miles before we were anywhere near
them. From there we passed many fishing boats along with larger ships as they
came out of Gibraltar straits, we passed Tarifa just after dawn.
anything during the day, just as it got dark we saw tuna nets off Puerto de
Conil, they were well lit and we saw them miles before we were anywhere near
them. From there we passed many fishing boats along with larger ships as they
came out of Gibraltar straits, we passed Tarifa just after dawn.
We arrived in Gibraltar at 1050 on Friday 17th
April and moored up with help from the marina staff, no wind for a change
whilst mooring and the boat handled really well in a confined space, Kevin was
well pleased. We planned to spend at least three nights here but ended up
staying longer, we had arranged to pick up our new Rocner Anchor we had
purchased plus the new water maker, both of which arrived on the Monday.
April and moored up with help from the marina staff, no wind for a change
whilst mooring and the boat handled really well in a confined space, Kevin was
well pleased. We planned to spend at least three nights here but ended up
staying longer, we had arranged to pick up our new Rocner Anchor we had
purchased plus the new water maker, both of which arrived on the Monday.
However the chandlery didn’t have the required caps for the
water pump and so Kevin had to find another source which meant he had to take a
trip to La Linea just over the boarder to pick them up. There were several
other items we needed from the chandlery but unfortunately their range of stock
was not as big as we had expected and so a lot of things on our shopping list
could not be obtained.
water pump and so Kevin had to find another source which meant he had to take a
trip to La Linea just over the boarder to pick them up. There were several
other items we needed from the chandlery but unfortunately their range of stock
was not as big as we had expected and so a lot of things on our shopping list
could not be obtained.
I on the other hand I took a trip to Morrisons to stock up on some
of our favourite things that we can’t normally get such as Millicano coffee and
Speckled Hen for Kevin, a real treat, real beer.
of our favourite things that we can’t normally get such as Millicano coffee and
Speckled Hen for Kevin, a real treat, real beer.
Whilst here we have arranged for someone to give us a quote
for the Stainless Steel A frame so that we can mount Solar Panals (which have
been a nightmare to source) and lift the dingy, so hopefully once this is
fitted we will be on our way again.
for the Stainless Steel A frame so that we can mount Solar Panals (which have
been a nightmare to source) and lift the dingy, so hopefully once this is
fitted we will be on our way again.
Our location can be seen on marinetraffic.com by entering
our MMSI number 235109362 into the vessel details, it will then come up with
the name Kailani, or you can just enter Kailani and select us from the choices
available. Marine Traffic will then show you the boat details.
our MMSI number 235109362 into the vessel details, it will then come up with
the name Kailani, or you can just enter Kailani and select us from the choices
available. Marine Traffic will then show you the boat details.
