OUR BLOG
"There's always a plan, but unexpected things happen and we just go with the flow. Though I do believe that fate and destiny often play their part"
sailing blog
The whole motivation for running away from so called "normal life" (stress, commuting, gardening, bosses, rain, more rain, murky seas etc.) to sail to this part of the world was based almost entirely on an amazing boating experience we had here in Malta several decades ago - see About Us for details if you don't know the story. Going to the island of Comino, aboard Comino, is our very own private pilgrimage. Anchoring overnight in the Blue Lagoon again after so many years is our equivalent of going to Mecca - without the long white robes and funny headgear of course.
And last Saturday, at 09:30 precisely, we set off for the voyage of our dreams. Talk about excited, we had a bottle of Champers cooling in the fridge to celebrate the occasion and Jane was aboard to help us re-live that precious time we had on her boat all those years ago. For two and a half hours we gently motor-sailed up the East coast of Malta in brilliant sunshine on a calm inky blue sea, arriving at Comino just in time for lunch and bubbles…...even a swim maybe. As we inched our way towards the opening to The Blue lagoon, with our destination in sight, a sound that strikes terror into the heart of every yachtsman pierced our ears. The engine overheating alarm suddenly went mental. There's no choice really - you have to turn the motor off immediately or risk engine seizure and a bill for ten thousand quid if that happens. I quickly stopped and started the thing several times just to see if it was a fault on the alarm system, but a warning light showed we were definitely overheating. In other words, cooling water was not circulating properly. So there we were, floundering in a relatively narrow channel, surrounded by reefs and rocks, with no engine and two rather nervous looking ladies looking at the skipper for a crumb of comfort. Quick as a flash, I made the decision to haul up all the sails and make a hasty u-turn back out to open sea. In that moment the long-awaited dream of a magical night anchored in The Blue Lagoon was put on hold for another day. Sad, yes, but the first priority in such situations is the safety of one's crew - end of. It took nearly four hours to poodle back to our marina in light airs. Nevertheless we really enjoyed the relaxation of a sedate sail in the sun. Arriving at our berth under sail caused a bit of amusement amongst some on-lookers who were no doubt thinking…...mad Englishman, why doesn't he just put the engine on? I did in fact do just that for all of thirty seconds to reverse into our space, and, even though I say it myself, it wasn't a bad bit of seamanship getting us back on dry land without a hitch. By way of compensation for the aborted trip, I did some sterling work in the galley that evening, which meant we shovelled down a rather sumptuous dinner, quaffed a few chilled vinos and retired to our cabins feeling good n' mellow (inebriated more like !). OK, we weren't bobbing around in The Blue Lagoon, but we promised to do it all again next week when the engine is fixed. And how's this for a bit of a bonus, Emily-Jane will be with us for a short break, making the trip even more special - every cloud and all that. The dream is still a dream - but watch this space for news of the next attempt. Oh, by the way, when I said at the beginning about leaving the stresses and strains of "normal life", guess where I've just been? Back in the UK catching commuter trains and doing two days of heavy meetings. Mind you, staying in a hotel was a nice change, but another train to the airport and a flight back to Malta last night makes me feel very pleased to be waking up on Comino this morning to peace and calm again. Another bonus (even better than a financial one), was that Emily-Jane came on the same flight with me, so we shared a glass or two at the airport and then chatted away for three hours on the plane.
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For those wanting to send cheques for obscene sums of money, or extravagant gifts for no good reason, you need to note our change of address. Yesterday, we slipped our lines and motored the short distance back round to Manoel Island Marina, where we'll base ourselves for the summer. There's lots of good reasons to be here, not least of all because we're now just a stones throw away from Gzira and Sliema, where shops, bars and all manner of goings on are right on our doorstep. We like to be near the hustle and bustle whilst in the marina, given that we can sail away into peaceful tranquility anytime we choose.
At the moment work type stuff is keeping me off the streets most mornings, but in the afternoon we're busy polishing and preening the boat ready for our first voyage in a weeks time. Can't wait to start exploring the nooks and crannies around the Malta coastline. Where shall I start. I guess Monday is an obvious place……being the beginning of the week and all that. So, on Monday evening I was flown back to the UK by some people who wanted me to do some work. It meant I could stay with Emily-Jane that night and catch up with all her latest news face to face. That was a real treat. Tuesday and Wednesday were spent in back to back meetings; some of them were in a ruddy great big office with lots of people staring at computer monitors. That was just weird. After over two years away from the world of commerce, being in that environment again felt very strange. Another bonus was spending Tuesday evening with James over a bite to eat and a few drinks, catching up on all his latest news face to face. On Wednesday night I flew back to Malta with a case full of documents and a head buzzing with newly aquired information. Thursday was a national holiday in Malta, so Nicki and I spent the day lounging around the boat in brilliant sunshine generally chilling out. Some white wine was served at various points I have to admit. After all, I had just done two whole days of real work……not something I'm particulalry used to don't you know! Then on Friday morning at 8.30am a car arrived at the marina (see pic above) to take me to my newly set up office, complete with desk, phone, pens, pencils and notebook. My wad of paperwork brought back from England sat in front of me eagerly awaiting my attention. And so I tucked in……reading, writing, sending e-mails……doing what you do when you have an important job to be getting on with. I reckon this pattern of life will continue for at least the next two months, but my plan is to start much earlier in the morning and finish around lunchtime when it starts to get quite hot. Don't tell anyone, but I might just take the odd day or two off and go sailing. That's if I manage to get ahead of my deadlines of course. And now it's Saturday morning. All of a sudden the weekend feels like the weekend again. Two whole days off……wow. The only trouble is, just like back home when you're looking forward to a couple of days outdoors, doing a barby maybe, it's pouring with rain here and we're shut inside. Ah well……perhaps it will brighten up later. Oh by the way……I was pulling your leg with the picture of the car that came for me. Actually, it was a Ford KA. |
A FEW PICS OF COMINO Click a photo to enlarge and use side arrows to scroll through. COMINO IS CURRENTLY HEREDID SOMEONE SAY SEAFOODOn our journey from Portugal to Greece we enjoyed amazing seafood almost everywhere we stopped. Finding the local fish market was always a priority because seafood was so plentiful and so reasonably priced. And, the displays were a feast for your eyes.
Locating a market sometimes meant pounding the pavements in searing heat, but if you kept your eyes peeled, you often came across a little clue. The pic below was a rather less than subtle advert for a fish market - it was eight feet tall.
Freshly cooked onboard, a plateful of giant prawns, baked in wine and garlic, washed down with a few glasses of local vino, was like heaven. Watching the sunset on the boat eating a meal like that was the epitome of "living the dream".
Now we're in Greece we've another favourite to savour. I'm talking about fried Calamari. It's usually good, but every now and then it's off-the-scale fantastic. At Natalie's Taverna on Kontokali Beach in Corfu, it was nothing short of epic.
We're based in Lefkas now and It's been a bit of a mission to find somewhere just as good. And we have. Rakias is a mere ten minute walk from the marina and this little fish market, with its very own taverna attached, is quite sensational.
Oh...and it's also worth mentioning that, on occasions, a bit of barbequed Octopus is on the menu at some of the tavernas we frequent. Can I resist....no. SUNSETS AND DRAMATIC SKIESNo filters, or any other monkey business, have been used to enhance these images.
OUR ADVENTURES FROM THE BEGINNING CATEGORIES
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