Sailing with Michelle

HI,

we arrived back in Lagos, getting up at 0230 for the taxi to Geneva Airport, on Thursday 19th August. After getting back into boat life, we sailed to Vilamoura on Saturday and awaited Michelle's arrival on Sunday.

With an extra pair of hands, the next few days went very well. We sailed on Monday to Ayamonte, and then the next day to Mazagon.
On Wednesday, we set off for Rota which was to be 'home' for 2 nights. On the way we saw a swordfish and a dolphin. We went to Jerez to see the world famous Spanish Riding School display (excellent) and the Tio Pepe Bodegas. Of course we had to sample the sherry and have some more tapas!

Friday we sailed to Barbate and this time saw of pod of dolphins. By now the temperatures were so hot, we delayed our arrival in the marina for a swim, snooze ....

And yesterday, we sailed into Gibraltar - accompanied by several pods of dolphins - to meet up with Roy, Douglas and Edward who with Iain are taking the boat to Ibiza while Helen meets Jackie in Malta for a few days R and R before joining the boat in Ibiza and Michelle returns to London.

we had a lovely dinner out last night, Iain celebrating his birthday a month early. He now has an ipad so that technology will keep him busy for a while. And then there are all those downloaded books to read.

Today, Michelle and I had breakfast in the Rock Hotel, watching Alma motoring out of the harbour without us.

Photos to be posted next week

love Helen.

ALMA’s crew have been on holiday in France – a week near Sancerre (we travelled from Briare – famous for the canal bridge over the Loire – to Nevers) with our friends Peta and Steve on their fabulous barge (28 metres!!) cruising along the Canal Lateral de la Loire (and of course enjoying great food and wines esp Sancerre, Menetou Salon and Pouilly) and 3 weeks in the Alps walking, cycling, relaxing and catching up with friends Tim and Chris (from Reigate), Roy and Jackie (friends from our Singapore days) and Aubin and Jackie (who run a wonderful chalet in Les Carroz).

Now getting ready to return to the boat. We’re delighted that Michelle (elder daughter) is joining us on ALMA for the trip from S Portugal to Gibraltar. We’ve booked a visit to the Spanish Riding School in Jerez en route which we’ve heard is worth visiting. Might also have time to sample some sherry! Also would like to see Cadiz. Hope we get favourable winds (not easterlies!) in the Straits of Gibraltar so we’re not delayed – Helen and Michelle are scheduled to fly back from Gibraltar to UK (and then on to Malta for Helen) on 29th August. Douglas, Edward and Roy are joining in Gibraltar for the next leg to Ibiza – plan to arrive there around 2nd/3rd Sept and then have a couple of weeks pottering around the Balearics. Looking forward to seeing Ibiza and Menorca which we’ve never visited previously but we hear great reports about these islands (away from the clubs, bars and major developments) – esp great beaches and anchorages – and also keen to re-visit Mallorca. Then we plan to make the long trip across to Malta in late September. Will be great to complete the journey and sail into Grand Harbour Malta!!

Hope your summer is going well.
All the best
Helen and Iain