ALMA BACK IN THE WATER!!

ALMA was re-launched on 20th April! Weather was sunny and calm which was essential as in any strong wind there is quite a swell that works its way into Kalkara Creek where the boatyard is and lifting the boat into the water alongside the quay would be dangerous in a swell. It was the first time I’d been on board to experience a lift by a crane but it was a very smooth operation – crane operator handled the crane and ALMA very carefully and precisely. My hardest job was undoing the backstay to allow the crane to lift amidships behind the mast – slightly concerning to see the mast unsupported by the backstay!

Helen and David came onboard after the launch and we motored around into Grand Harbour Marina – it was lovely to be on the boat again and to see Malta’s wonderful Grand Harbour from the water – great views of Valetta and of Fort St Angelo. So ALMA is now berthed in GHM where she’ll be for about another few weeks before we set off for the Ionian this summer. Quite a lot of jobs to get done as well as re-packing all our kit and provisions etc. As the weather improves (almost now as warm as its been in London!!) we’re looking forward to getting back onboard and we’ll hopefully have quite a few days sailing around Malta and Gozo before we leave for Greece.

Hope you’re enjoying springtime too. Will post more news on ALMA’s travels around Malta and Gozo over next few weeks.
Best wishes
Iain and Helen

SKIING DOWN

SKI TOUR

GETTING READY FOR THE NEW SEASON!!

We're getting ready to pack away the ski gear and head back home to Malta. We've had a great ski season despite the shortage of snow this year - lots of friends have visited us which has been great fun catching up and skiing together and we also managed a wonderful week's ski touring around Les Diablerets/Gstaad region in Switzerland - a beautiful area. But the snow is now almost gone and it's time to head for the Med.

ALMA will go back in the water shortly after a winter ashore in Kalkara boat yard. I went back in March to check the boat and everything was fine - it's a very sheltered and well run yard. We've had a few jobs done - the most significant has been stripping off all the old anti fouling built up over 9 years. Final coat of new anti foul will go on this week. I've also ordered a new mainsail but will only take delivery next winter so sadly will be sailing with the old main this summer - it's OK but after 9 seasons it's lost a bit of shape so not performing as well as I'd like.

This summer we're planning to set off in late May for Greece. We will base ourselves in Corfu but want to explore the Ionian and perhaps some of the west coast of the Pelopponese and also the gulf of Patras. We hope to visit a few historical sites, especially Delphi, possibly Sparta, and certainly Ithica. But most importantly we hope to spend a lot of time relaxing this year. We expect to head back to Malta in mid September - via Sicily (would like to visit Syracusa and possibly Catania and Messina on the east coast) and may stop at a few places on the Italian south coast on the way. No definite plans other than to cruise gently (hoping always for sunny blue skies and a good breeze (force 3 to 4)) and to enjoy it! Looking forward to visiting new places and having friends onboard along the way.

We'll post regularly to let you know our progress and our plans. Let us know if you'd like to join us.

Best wishes for a great summer.
Iain and Helen

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