On a sunny Saturday morning, we raised the main, and turned away from mainland Portugal. Our destination: Porto Santo, part of the Madeira archipelago, 435nm away. We initially had stronger wind than expected with a lively sea, but by day 2 this began to settle and enjoy the passage.

The passage report from day two of our sail from Portugal to Porto Santo. We were finding our groove as conditions eased, allowing us to enjoy, rather than endure, the experience.

All was well on the first day one of our passage from Portugal to Porto Santo as we settled into sailing life

At long last, the time had come to leave the boatyard. After almost a year, far longer than we’d anticipated, the long list of boat jobs were finally complete. We just had to hope she floated once she was placed back on the water.

Part one of 2021 refit series. In order to get Emerald out of the water, we have to endure the heart-clenching experience of seeing your precious home be lifted into the air. We look at the factors involved in choosing a boatyard and the types of liftout available for boats.

Looking to visit the Ilha da Culatra in the Algarve? Well read on to find out how to get there and what to do once you’re there.

It was time to leave the river for an appointment at a boatyard in Faro. Emerald was in need of some TLC.

We might as well write our plans in sand at low tide. Sailing plans can be fragile, easily broken by multiple factors – weather, boat problems or myriad unexpected issues. Sometimes the forced plan change can result in a good experience, sometimes its bad.

April and May in the river saw a rise in temperatures and the drying out of the land. We fixed the galley cupboard floor – a job that’s been on the list a long time! And I become a water babe.

After several boat toilet fails, we began to research alternatives. This year, we bit the bullet and chose to install a custom built composting/waterless toilet.

For the second part of our review of our winter afloat in the Rio Guadiana, we look at the good and bad points and ask “would we do it again?”

A review of our sailing adventures in 2020. It covers highlights and low lights, the number of miles sailed and where we spent each night. Also included is a breakdown and analysis of costs over the year.

This would be our first Christmas afloat at anchor. And Brexit was about to bring the first consequences for Brits who sail the EU. We wanted proof of location to keep our VAT paid status, so chose to obtain marina receipts from our closest marina.

We began to settle into a routine on the river. There were boat jobs we could get on with, whilst discovering the fun to be had.

If we wanted to spend a winter at anchor, it was essential to replace our anchor chain. After 11 seasons of use, the old chain was noticeably deteriorating. This blog looks at our choices and the swapping over process