We had of course heard of this festival but nothing quite prepared us for the scale. This is huge and a joyous celebration of both the diversity of cultures and the recognisable Celtic core that unites them. One of the great joys is seeing a younger generation of talented and passionate kids keeping the traditions and artistry alive and well. LOVE IT!

It seems wherever you go in France there’s market. Not just any old market but a great market with atmosphere, characters and great fresh produce. Port Louis is blessed with two great examples each week.

We’ve had the pleasure of seeing the sun go down in so many beautiful places. The real joy though is not where the sunset is but who is next to you in the cockpit and in life.

There’s something magical about spending time at anchor, swinging with the tide and breeze, self sufficient and content. The cuts and bruises still raw from wrestling a 15kg lump of metal in an impossibly small space are all worth it now.

Remember the old nursery rhyme? “When she was good she was very. very good but when she was bad she was awful”. In this case “she” was Fedex, and it was a bad day.

My Dad’s model of L'Étoile has travelled with us from our various homes in Hampshire, London, Florida and Wales. Of all the ones he built this is my favourite and to see her here brought back memories of a man who taught me what love really is.

Alan’s law is a universal truth known to sailors the world over and as predictable as the tides.

It may be a long way to Tipperary but it’s even further to Tasmania and that’s where or replacement windlass is coming from.

There’s an old saying in sailing circles - if it’s working it’s because you just fixed it or it’s about to break and will probably do so at the worst possible moment. This time I beat the system and before we headed off to an anchorage I tested the windlass with a less than ideal outcome.

Treguier was always a favourite stopover but we thought our 50’ boat might be a challenge as in the old days the pontoons were tiny and distinct wobbly. we needn’t have worried and when we berthed next to a 100’ ocean racing trimaran we realised times have changed and maybe we aren’t that big at all

It was a big decision to bring Seminole Wind home but so far it was all worth it. and here in the sunshine we are reacquainting ourselves with the joys of Brittany in summer.

Our first season back in Brittany so a little apprehensive but extremely excited. Huge tides and so far huge smiles and glorious weather.

Sometimes you look up and can’t quite believe the sheer magnitude of the sky. At times it’s the Milky Way but then there’s nights like this with one stunning centrepiece.

There are some spring days that make you happy just to be alive. and in such a superb setting There have been so many times however in this place where sailors have looked at the mountainous seas and thought they would be lucky if they lived to see another day.

Some places are timeless with a sense of permanence that belies its history.

A trip to the garden centre sark style.

Stormy seas bring new opportunities to let things settle and explore the land. Jersey did not disappoint.

No matter how many times you’ve done it or the different places you’ve done it in, the day you “splash” is a relief and the start of new adventures.

This time we came on the big silver bird but in December 2012 it was the start of an awfully big adventure proving that not only hobbits can do things they never thought possible.

I have been in many beautiful anchorages but only visited this one in my dreams.