Nichola

20th July: A very relieved Emerald crew are now floating again and so far so good: the bilge is dry! We’ve bravely left the safety cocoon of Murter to venture a few miles north for a few easy days. Life in a boatyard can be hard work physically. There’s all […]

Croatia Boatyard: Leak Busting and a Bora Wind

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There are many bad things that can happen to a boat. Earth (running aground), water (sinking) and air (wind and lightning) are all enemies to our floating home. Right now it was water that was threatening us. As we motored away from the Krka river, a hideous, high pitched squeal had emanated […]

Emerald has a Set Back – Taking on Water in ...

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As I’m writing this having finished the Croatia leg of our summer sailing, I can confidently say that the Krka waterfalls was my highlight. It was also great to be back in a river again. Emerald likes her rivers what with the many weeks we have spent up the Fal, 18 months […]

Skradin and the Krka Waterfalls

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18th June: (A blog from back in time – trying to clear a backlog!) After filling up with diesel, it was mid morning before we were away from Vela Luka and a westerly wind had set in. It was a F4 as we motored away from the town and if […]

Sveti Klement, Split and Trogir

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Vela Luka on the north end of Korcula island was our chosen bolthole for some strong southerly winds that were forecast to blow for Thursday into Friday. We knew we’d be on buoys for a few nights at 150kn a night but at least we’d be safe from the risk […]

Vela Luka and Korcula

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11th June 2016: On our way from Cavtat to Mljet with a southerly F4 we had our first sail in Croatia, woo hoo! It was a bit rolly though and after 20 miles as the wind eased we had to give up, the wind angle and wind strength were not enough […]

Polače, Mljet

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Otranto An overnight passage messes with our body clocks, especially when it’s just one night and we can’t get into a watch system rhythm, so we usually need a day of rest to recover. The harbour of Otranto was perfect for an afternoon nap – the sea was calm and a beautiful […]

Otranto and Brindisi

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27th May to 1st June We are beginning to strongly dislike the Ionian Sea. Of the three crossings we have made, none can be described as having been enjoyable. The first was a dull slog where we only sailed a quarter of it, the second was beset with no wind […]

Ionian Sea Passage Making

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What follows is a short summary of our favourite bits of sailing in Malta during May. We would definitely visit again if we happened to be passing. However, our planned route back out of the Med won’t take us that way. Although we’re now behind the boats who left MdR straight […]

Summary of Sailing in Malta

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Post via ssb from crossing from Sicily (Porto Palo) to the Adriatic (Otranto) Position: 38 28.99 N 17 08.13 E Speed: 5.7 knots Course: 029 deg All well on board. Currently crossing the scary Gulf of Squirrels. (no squirrels sighted, but did spot an inflatable pink turtle!) We have lost […]

Position Report- High Seas

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Mellieha Bay The landscape of Mellieha Bay is very different from that of the south of Malta. Gone were the soft, yellow cliffs and gently sloping fields to be replaced by a much more rugged and craggy terrain. The bay is huge – which presented us with a dilemma – […]

Sailing Malta – Mellieha and Comino

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