We’re now resting up in Malta and recovering from a exhausting trip. Mixed feelings – wonderful to be here and feels amazing to have completed our journey from the UK to Malta. But also feels slightly strange that we’re not going sailing today or tomorrow or possibly even this week! We’ve sailed around 3,000 miles this summer over about 11 weeks (we took several holidays ashore!), met many great people en route, visited some wonderful places, had many terrific experiences, seen dolphins, flying fish, turtles and swordfish (sadly no whales), had a very steep learning experience (looking back I realise how very inexperienced we were when we set off – which has made it a bit stressful at times (as some of you may have noticed!)), had mostly good weather (although the wind always seemed to be from an unhelpful direction – either dead ahead so we had to tack upwind adding considerably to our distance and time – or dead astern which is uncomfortable and slow) and greatly enjoyed having so many friends sailing with us and helping us bring ALMA to Malta. Many, many thanks to all of you who have helped us on the journey:
· Lymington to Plymouth – Tim, Doug and David
· Plymouth to Baiona – Geoff, Andy and Doug
· Povoa to Oeiras – Steve and Peta
· Villamoura to Gib – Michelle
· Gib to Ibiza – Doug, Roy and Ed
· Ibiza to Palma – Roy and Jackie
· Palma to Mahon – Nick and Lindy
· Mahon to Marsala – Andy, Ian and David
· Marsala to Malta – Tim and Chris.

Hope you’ll all join us onboard again next year – whether on a delivery trip or just cruising somewhere nice (Ionian and Croatia?). Will start planning for next year shortly!

Take care, enjoy yourselves and keep in touch. Hope to see many of you over the winter.
Very best wishes
Helen and Iain