30. ‘Solo’ Sailing

I am now in Benalmádena on Costa del Sol. On the south coast of Spain. An elephant grave yard for northern Europeans that spend the latter part of their lives in a climate that is more agreeable. Within striking distance of Gibraltar, which marks the western most end of the Mediterranean. I have sailed around 1.100 Nm west from Gaeta and Ponza where I decided to go back to the original plan and cross the Atlantic this winter. Even if it is hard to predict how I will be greeted on arrival in small Caribbean island countries during a pandemic.

Daniel and I plan to pass through the Strait of Gibraltar tomorrow and head for Lanzarote. A 700 Nm passage which effectively ends Saoirse’s seven year stint in the Mediterranean. My four months of cruising since I set off back in the beginning of June have been great and I have fond memories of the places that I have visited but it is time to move on now that autumn is approaching at these latitudes.

This summer has probably been my most socially active ever. You might consider this a little strange when I primarily sail on my own. But the cruising community frequently shares interests, frustrations, technical problems and a general curiosity that we are all eager to share with each other. And we easily spot other live-aboard sailors as our boats tend to have a bunch of equipment that holiday sailors do not tend to need. That said, we all have different backgrounds, life stories, technical skills, financial budgets and sailing plans. But we have all, for one reason or another, taken a giant leap to actually change our lives and realise what for most of us has been a life long dream. A leap that is more scary than the actual crossing of any ocean.

So here is a collection of new friends that I still keep in regular contact with: