WE'RE OFF TO SEA AGAIN - HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US

Been a year since we last sailed - seems far too long away from our lovely boat and a lifestyle we've come to love.
I'd like to say a bit about my experience of sailing and I hope it inspires you to go out on the water yourself. Or if you've given up your salty ways, to join the armchair sailors following this Blog. All are welcome...
I've discovered a new kind of magic at sea. Not all of it can be written down or even spoken of. Sitting in a cockpit alone, especially just before dawn or just after dusk, is fantastic. You get to see the stars, the moon, the Milky Way, satellites and shooting stars as you have never seen them before. Dolphins trail phosphorescence - like fairytale torpedos swimming alongside the boat, clicking and singing at us through the hull. Then below us many thousand metres of depth and probably strange and unknown creatures. At times it seems nothing is around you yet our tiny yacht makes its way across an ocean or a sea. It has been and continues to be a unique and privileged feeling, to simultaneously have a massive and tiny space all to ourselves. We've had dolpins doing arial displays over our bow. Wild sea birds have resed on our deck, sometimes for days. Butterflies and migrating insects have landed on our sails to refuel and rest and we've wondered with wonder how these fragile and beautiful things come so far. At night we've left trails of flourescent plankton in our wake and flying fish land on us. Sunfish looking like giant bin lids have winked at us from the sea off Portugal. I often feel that sailboats are like us ( or vice versa) they need to keep moving from the moment they are cast off until they are moored up or at least secured. I've learnt to depend on my companions - a lesson needed - and appreciate them. I've learned that I am resourceful and courageous and I have felt truly alive.
I know many of my friends believe sailing is outside their comfort zone but I'd urge them to try it. Our beautiful planet is 7/10ths covered in water. You will be amazed and humbled in equal measure. It will change you :)