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Twenty years ago I sailed my 30ft wooden yacht from Milford Haven to Benicarlo, Spain which is just south of Barcelona. It was an adventure of a lifetime and took around five weeks.
Here are a few pics to show the route, ports of call and the dates. sometimes I still can't believe I did it and would do it all again in a heartbeat.
I was living on the Costa del Sol at the time. Most upset you didn't call.....
Alright for some...I'd to make do with a push bike for my travels. 
F*** the wind!!
Alright for some...I'd to make do with a push bike for my travels.
Each to his own and look at it this way - you used your legs to move and I used the wind. Both modes without outside assistance and environmentally friendly.
Each to his own and look at it this way - you used your legs to move and I used the wind. Both modes without outside assistance and environmentally friendly.
Despite not being a lover of boats I used to read a lot of sailing adventure books. 
Been on quite a few Rice mostly N America and N Europe. Last big trip was around the turn of the century. Then marriage put an end to it all.
I was never exhausted, but the last 24 hours from Javier to Benicarlo were the most challenging. The wind went variable and died, then the engine packed up so we were bobbing around in an uncomfortable swell and getting nowhere. My then wife got very seasick, so we managed to limp back to Javier after repairing the engine. (the fuel filter was blocked).
The following day we tried again and after much tacking due to the wind in our teeth, we made it to Benicarlo just after lunch. Needless to say, bottles were opened but I felt disappointed that the voyage was over.
Despite not being a lover of boats I used to read a lot of sailing adventure books.
Been on quite a few Rice mostly N America and N Europe. Last big trip was around the turn of the century. Then marriage put an end to it all.
Do you remember your North American route, UK Man ? And how many weeks you were there?
I was never exhausted, but the last 24 hours from Javier to Benicarlo were the most challenging. The wind went variable and died, then the engine packed up so we were bobbing around in an uncomfortable swell and getting nowhere. My then wife got very seasick, so we managed to limp back to Javier after repairing the engine. (the fuel filter was blocked).
The following day we tried again and after much tacking due to the wind in our teeth, we made it to Benicarlo just after lunch. Needless to say, bottles were opened but I felt disappointed that the voyage was over.
I remember your adding and losing crew, but don’t remember how long the entire journey was?
Do you remember your North American route, UK Man ? And how many weeks you were there?
I remember your adding and losing crew, but don’t remember how long the entire journey was?
About five weeks.
The first week was me and two crew and the others were mainly me and one other with one week solo.
Do you remember your North American route, UK Man ? And how many weeks you were there?
Did a couple of tours Rice. One was in British Columbia and Alberta. Taking in the Bow River valley and the Rockies. The other was Vancouver Island then Washington State...the San Juan Islands mostly.
Did a couple of tours Rice. One was in British Columbia and Alberta. Taking in the Bow River valley and the Rockies. The other was Vancouver Island then Washington State...the San Juan Islands mostly.
Sounds like quite a trip. And was your N European trip VERY northern?
About five weeks.
The first week was me and two crew and the others were mainly me and one other with one week solo.
I can’t even remotely imagine doing that kind of trip, alone or with crew. And the idea of being on the sea for five weeks? Sounds like torture, despite the undeniable beauty.
Sounds like quite a trip. And was your N European trip VERY northern?
Yes as I don't like cycling in the heat. 
Added bonus is the summer days are much longer in Scandinavia, Finland and Estonia.
Yes as I don't like cycling in the heat.
Do you still cycle?
Do you still cycle?
The missus and I used to but as she refused to go on the main roads it got kind of boring. Now we go on one hour walks two or three times a week.
We, also, go on one-hour walks every day, and enjoy all that we can see at the slower pace. We are both long-time former runners who converted to walking, several years ago. Don’t miss running at all.
We, also, go on one-hour walks every day, and enjoy all that we can see at the slower pace.
Indeed. We just walk about the town during siesta time when the streets are quieter. We see things when walking that we usually miss when in the car.
I bought and read this book some years ago and highly recommend it.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Girl-Dream…=ast_author_mpb
The youngest ever solo circumnavigation of the planet.
A video even I found interesting despite being a landlubber.
