SUMMER 2024: From Sardinia to Gibraltar
After two years of dithering, we are taking the plunge… and will be sailing across the Atlantic at the end of this year. With that in mind, we are making additional preparations for the boat (we have already fitted a wind generator, bought satellite communications kit, and have a few more things in mind), and this summer we will be making our way West – from Sardinia, via Corsica, the Balearics and Spain – to Gibraltar, and our launch point for the Canary Islands and onwards…
Our route to the Mediterranean
This (approximately!) charts our passage this Summer. Click on the pins for a little more info…
Our latest position
Here is where we are. Or at least, where Merryn last transmitted an AIS signal. Over the winter, that’s going to be the lay-up port. When we are sailing the AIS signal frequently gets lost once we are offshore, so don’t be too alarmed if we seem to have no current position report.
The Blog posts: click on the pictures to read and see more…
28th August 2024
Our Mediterranean voyage has come to an end! After a few days waiting in Gibraltar for favourable winds and tides, we have exited through the Strait of Gibraltar, avoided any Orca encounters, and reached the town of Rota, in the bay of Cadiz, where we are making final preparations for our passage across the Atlantic to Madeira.
13th August 2024
Back on the boat! Not much sailing, but we have compensated with a packed programme of sightseeing, from the city of Valencia, to the coastal towns of Motril and Salobreña, and the famous Moorish complex of the Alhambra in Granada. We have met up with the crew of two more boats in the Vikings Rally and enjoyed some late drinking sessions getting to know our fellow sailors.
1st August 2024
Still in the French Alps, and enjoying some fabulous walks, including a new (for us) route to Les Cinq Lacs, as well as revisiting some of our favourite spots: the Refuge de l’Archeboc, Col de la Seigne, Col de la Leisse (where we have toured on skis in the winter), and the Cormet de Roseland.
22nd July 2024
A break from sailing: as Merryn needs some work doing in Almerimar, we have left her in the boatyard and gone on a visit to England, followed by lots of outdoor activity in France. Jono is even learning to fly a drone!
26th June 2024
In Cartagena we are delighted to meet up with the crew of two of our fellow Vikings Explorers. From Cartagena we sail towards Almerimar, where we will be leaving the boat whilst the rigging is replaced. Some close encounters with fishing tackle in the sea, so Jonathan has to dive (twice!) under the boat to free the prop and rudder.
15th June 2024
After Andratx in Mallorca and a couple of days in Ibiza, we say goodbye to the Balearics and head across to the Spanish mainland. An eventful journey with a scary gale force squall, but we make landfall and start to make our way South
1st June 2024
After a gentle passage from Sardinia, we arrive in Menorca, resting in the beautiful Fornells bay, before travelling around the island and on to Mallorca. Stops in sheltered bays on the west coast are followed with a passage to Palma, where we need to stay for a week or so to get some work done.
17th May 2024
We come to the end of our time in Sardinia: it has been a terrific experience, with great places to visit, fabulous scenery, delicious food and lovely people who have been so helpful along the way. In our last couple of weeks we have travelled around the Northern part of Sardinia, stopping in the Maddalena islands and briefly crossing the Bonifacio strait to visit Corsica. We finish in the old city of Alghero waiting for favourable winds to return to the Balearics
6th May 2024
A new season starts, and we return to Merryn in Santa Maria Navarrese where we re-commission our boat, meet up with friends, enjoy walks, then set sail to the North of Sardinia, stopping to celebrate Jono’s birthday, and relaxing in the Maddalena islands