Well, we are the white yacht.....dark blue must be 'a la mode'....NE Corfu Sept 2016..stormy weather!
Just look at this tree below..how old??
Just look at this tree below..how old??
LOCAL TOURIST BOAT MOTORING BY......RON GLAS LOOKING AMAZING UNDER FULL SAIL...DIAPOROS JULY 2015
BELOW ....BACK TO FANTASTIC PERFECT WEATHER AGAIN....MID OCTOBER...LAKKA ANCHORAGE, NORTH PAXOS IN GREECE. JUST AFTER A SWIM, MAYBE LAST FOR THE SEASON??
OUR FAVOURITE ANCHORAGE AROUND PAXOS...NEVER TOO BUSY....THE OTHERS, ESPECIALLY LAKKA, CAN BE SO OVERCROWDED....MANY CHARTER YACHTS IN THE IONIAN, ESPECIALLY FLOTILLAS....!!!
BELOW ....PERFECT FOR SWIMMING....JUST OFF MOURTOS ON THE COAST OPPOSITE SOUTH CORFU....
BELOW ....PERFECT FOR SWIMMING....JUST OFF MOURTOS ON THE COAST OPPOSITE SOUTH CORFU....
Anchored off KOTOR, Montenegro....40 knots of howling winds and torrential rain, with of course thunder and lightning! ....we had 80 metres of chain out in the mud....then in the morning, heavy heavy thick fog!
However, all simply breathtaking. A huge fjord with 3 bassins surrounded by towering high barren mountains, some over 1000 metres...grand scale. We had pretty grim weather as you can see from the photos ....very little sunshine.
Please hit the 'refresh' button on your computer to speed up the 'slideshows'....
However, all simply breathtaking. A huge fjord with 3 bassins surrounded by towering high barren mountains, some over 1000 metres...grand scale. We had pretty grim weather as you can see from the photos ....very little sunshine.
Please hit the 'refresh' button on your computer to speed up the 'slideshows'....
DAZZLING DUBROVNIK....by day! A UNESCO listed city which MUST be visited. The city walls are nearly 2 kilometres in length with many many steps ....we did every one of them! Bruno is still feeling his hips and knees!
ABOVE.... KOMIZA, interesting old stone village on the west coast of VIS, with stunning sunset dropping right into the sea.
OUR ASSYMETRIQUE SPINNAKER.....getting some fresh air!
BELOW...PASMAN, sur la colline de Cokovac, à Tkon, se trouve ce couvent bénédictin (homme), le seul en activité de nos jours en Croatie!
OUR ASSYMETRIQUE SPINNAKER.....getting some fresh air!
BELOW...PASMAN, sur la colline de Cokovac, à Tkon, se trouve ce couvent bénédictin (homme), le seul en activité de nos jours en Croatie!
After the brown/green seas of the Northern Adriatic, just wonderful to anchor again in these turquoise translucent waters of the Croatian islands....here in the unspoilt bay of Parzine, on the south coast of ILOVIK....27th August 2013.
I HAVE MADE SEVERAL SLIDE SHOWS OF OUR VENICE EXPERIENCE, PATIENCE IF YOUR INTERNET RECEPTION IS SLOW...or hit the 'refresh' button.
ALL MIXED UP...MY UNFORGETTABLE IMPRESSIONS...!
ALL MIXED UP...MY UNFORGETTABLE IMPRESSIONS...!
The MANET exposition, above, was certainly one of the highlights!
Fortunately for us, extended until fin September.
Just some of the art work that we admired at the Biennale Arte 2013 ....My BIG favourite is definitely the sculpture of the handsome Diver...presented outside in the lovely gardens.
Below....out in the Venice lagoon, just an interesting 40 minute trip on the vaperotto, we discovered the colourful island of BURANO...a fisherman's village.... BUT they have certainly let themselves go to brighten up their lives, just look at these dazzling colours! Hyper KITCH!!
The ladies of the island are well known for their fabrication of fine delicate lace work....not just 'touristy' tablecloths and napkins, but we saw exquisite tops, cardigans etc....bravo!
However, we did not visit the Murano, the glass making island ....no time, and not so interesting from our point of view.
ABOVE .... WONDERFUL ROVINJ.....
What a difference after 3 days of hard hot work.....
JUST AS WE LOVE IT....
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A few slideshows below...please be patient if your internet reception is slow ..... or maybe tap the refresh button!
ANOTHER SLIDE SHOW ....RECENT IMAGES
'C'est la vie' à HVAR ....debut juillet 2013
Notre superb mouillage à Uvula Zavola, Hvar, tout seul....BRAC juste en face.
HVAR TOWN ......CROATIA
Most of the south coast of HVAR island has these interesting fertile valleys and pine forests, backed by the rugged mountains ...
On close inspection we realised that these are vineyards...on the protected sunny south facing steep slopes. What courage to work these fields, some are so so steep and growing right down to the very edge of the sea....Impressive!
CROATIE ... on arrive enfin!
WE HAVE BEEN SO SPOILT WITH THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCE IN ITALY...EXCELLENT REASONABLY PRICED WINES, AN ENDLESS SELECTION OF FINE FRUIT AND VEGETABLES, NOT FORGETTING THE FANTASTIC ICECREAMS ....TO DIE FOR!!
YUMMY!
OIL RIGS OFF CROTONE....THIS ONE IS CALLED 'LUNA'
Sunset in SYRACUSA ... very impressive as always!
See more from .... blog/photos October 2012
See more from .... blog/photos October 2012
YUMMY GOODIES FROM TAORMINA.....PATES D'AMANDES!
Bruno just loves them....
Bruno just loves them....
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Get together for an 'au revoir' dinner on 'Pacific Pearl' with our friends from the past two Winters. Yet again, sadly, we will be all heading in different directions.
Bruno and I >>Venice>>Croatie etc.
Angie and Keith >> Tunisia, Spain, Portugal.
Barb and Con >> Sardinia, France, Spain then the Canaries in preparation for an Atlantic crossing, as they have now explored nearly every part of the Med.
21st April 2013...'Pacific Pearl' ready to leave our Winter berth, sails up, inox all bright and shiny, bimini installed etc ....definitely time to leave, but Force 8/9 announced for this coming Wednesday and Thursday ...wiser to wait! Our contract finishes end of this month.
We still need to stock up, will do so this week.
Sally's stunning painting of Arbatax in Sardinia..so much detail!
DELICIOUS TASTY LOCAL FRESH FARM PRODUCE .....
TYSON'S FAVOURITE TOY...a water spray!
Lisa has her hands full with the ever so active Tyson .....above... proud grandfather, John.
With friends Edith, Betty and Judy at Mission Beach....Edith, you have THE most amazing luxuriant garden, bravo! So much work!Thanks girls, for such a great day out!
Cheeky cassowary looking for a snack!
STRIKING HIBISCUS FLOWER from my Mum's tropical garden in Cairns...just one of many!
Walking along the wonderful Tenerife broadwalk with John, Ebony and Drew towards the Power House...... to quench our thirsts!
THE OLD AND THE NEW IN BRISBANE.....many interesting skyscrapers built along the river.
SURFERS PARADISE in the distance ...... 'Surfer's Code' up on the hill at Burleigh.
With Kerri and Judy....happy memories from Greece....just great to catch up with your 'cat' adventures!
AUSTRALIA 4th FEBRUARY 2013....SURF CRAZY HERE AT BURLEIGH HEADS....even car number plates!!
'AUSTRALIA DAY' CELEBRATIONS IN THE MARINA....26TH JANUARY 2013. (Please wait for photos to charge as this is a short slideshow.)
Lots of 'Tchins Tchins' with our friends Barb and Con, and Angie and Keith...see blog.
No! Not in Australia! LOCAL SURFERS were having a great time this morning at Marina di Ragusa,Sicily on 12th January 2013....they tell me that the water is about 12°!
Marc, merci beaucoup! We loved Bruno's birthday card....souvenirs! souvenirs!
PETIT PORT de PECHE à PUNTO SECCA ...sud Sicile.
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26th December 2012....20°,T shirts & shorts! Pas mal....!!
Sue and Chris from Catamaran 'NIMROD' ...lovely friendly English couple who took the photo below.
STUNNING SUNSETS at Marina di Ragusa ...
Merci!!! Severine, Chris, Louis & Manon ......
Written by Mme J. Bollinger ....1962 (Bollinger Champagnes)
DESIGNED BY THE AMERICAN/CANADIAN ARCHITECT, FRANK GEHRY, this is the future new Art Center for the Foundation Louis-Vuitton, actually under construction in the Bois de Boulogne, Paris....GRANDOISE! Looking forward to visiting when completed....
5 decembre..Proud grandfather! Hier soir à table avec ses petits enfants, LOUIS et MANON ....gorgeous!
MERCI BEAUCOUP.... EVELYNE & JACKY...Cannes.
"LOVE IS IN THE AIR".....
LAVENDER en
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L'EGLISE à CALLIAN dans le Var...très beau!tchin! tchin!LE PONT DU GARD.....the remains of the Roman aqueduct which transported water from UZES to NIMES ....one of the most important tourist sights in France! |
PAS MAL, la plage de LA GRANDE MOTTE en novembre!
LES ARENES ANTIQUES DE NIMES
QUICK VISIT à PALERMO en SICILE........
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A typical example of the mosiaques we discovered throughout the Palazzo Reale di Palermo ....impressive!!
PALERMO .. Piazzo CASTELNUOVO
Many thanks Barb for this photo ....!! Love it!
NO, THIS IS NOT A BLACK AND WHITE PHOTO!! menacing skies with strong southerlies...'Pacific Pearl' is in there somewhere! Our winter home where we feel very well protected.
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TYPICAL IMAGE IN SYRACUSE, high ceilings, wooden shutters,either inside or out, flowery balconies, could be in France!!
COMPLETE CHANGE OF SCENERY......a few days in SYRACUSE en SICILE....back to the ancient ancient style of architecture, beautiful old buildings, many in ruin! many in the old town being restored thankfully...imposing cathedrals, churchs on every corner, statues, flowing fontaines, cobble stoned narrow alleys, washing hanging out to dry above, noisy scooters, pretty girls, pizzerias, pasta, trattorias, icecream! plus of course the boutiques... Zara etc.. à suivre!
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en route vers la SICILE......
BRUNO & I are so happy to return to unforgettable ORMOS KERI, south of ZAKYNTHOS....last time was in SEPT 2010......how time flies! Only 2 yachts at anchor.....!! (update ... all alone for the past few days!!)
Les bon souvenirs d'ici il y a 2 ans ....grandiose!
'TRAFFIC JAM' at KATAKOLON........
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IMPRESSIONANTE!! huge church here in PYLOS .....used to be a Mosque in the past....
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ALONGSIDE ON THE TOWN QUAY AT PILOS.....Ormos Navarinou
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A LONG NARROW SANDY BEACH (REAL SAND!) IN DESERTED SURROUNDINGS
AT ORMOS SARAKINIKO,
ELAFONISOS....DELICIOUS TRANSLUCENT WATER....I HAD A GREAT SWIM THEN WALKED THE WHOLE BEACH....unfortunately it was rather rolly that night, so we continued on.....
AT ORMOS SARAKINIKO,
ELAFONISOS....DELICIOUS TRANSLUCENT WATER....I HAD A GREAT SWIM THEN WALKED THE WHOLE BEACH....unfortunately it was rather rolly that night, so we continued on.....
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Thankfully, AK MALEAS was very kind to us...but it does have a notorious reputation, situated at the end of this rugged sauvage mountainous pensinula.......
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PASSING BY MONEMVASIA VERY EARLY IN THE AM....we did not stop here there this time round (as stayed a few days last year), but preferred to anchor out in a wonderful calm bay further north.
EPOUSTOUFLANT!!
KIPARISSI, east coast Peloponnisos.....our next anchorage after leaving Porto Kheli.....Just amazing! SPECTACULAR to say the least!
We passed by here in Spring 2011 with gusts up to 50 knots, fortunately this time only 10 knots! OOFF!
We passed by here in Spring 2011 with gusts up to 50 knots, fortunately this time only 10 knots! OOFF!
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PORTO KHELI (HELI) ....PRETTY CHURCH IN PRETTY SURROUNDINGS.....
GREAT SAFE ANCHORAGE WITH SUPERMARKET, BOULANGERIE , BUTCHER ETC ALL SO CLOSE....EXTREMELY PRACTICAL....
GREAT SAFE ANCHORAGE WITH SUPERMARKET, BOULANGERIE , BUTCHER ETC ALL SO CLOSE....EXTREMELY PRACTICAL....
MY BRUNO looking HAPPY & RELAXED at PORTO KHELI...We are off again tomorrow, heading south. Still needing hat to protect from the strong sun!!
ENJOYING LIFE WITH ROSEMARY & ROB .... another delicious dinner together! BYO as they did not have red wine! So Rob asked if we could bring our own...so we did!
So pleased, that finally we get to meet you....PIPPA & ROD from Auckland, New Zealand, cruising the Med on S/Y'CHRISTINA'.....à la prochaine fois! Merci beaucoup pour les livres, très sympa!
CLASSY LOCAL CAT....TRES MIGNON!
OUR FAVOURITE TAVERNA HERE IN AHILIO...so so pretty!
Side by side with 'Sea Dreams' at the very well organised 'ECKER YACHTING' quay, AHILIO..........Rosemary and Rob will soon be heading back home to Hobart, after hauling out their yacht in Volos for the Winter. We will miss them enormously!
Hope to catch up again in 2013..........Thanks again for all the DVD's and other goodies you passed on to us......very much appreciated!!
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One can just see 'Pacific Pearl' and 'Sea Dreams' way down below....hills all covered with ancient olive groves.
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THE CAFE JUST OPPOSITE OUR BERTH ON THE TOWN QUAY AT VOLOS.....WHAT A CHANGE FROM OUR RECENT SUMMER ANCHORAGES!! JUST A HOP ACROSS TO THE WIDE PROMENADE WITH IT's BUSTLING MODERN CAFES, THEN IMMEDIATELY INTO THE BACK BUSY SHOPPING STREETS ....they are all there! ZARA, MARKS & SPENCERS, MANGO, LACOSTE etc... with CARREFOUR and LIDL further afield.
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Jo and Gemma looking so glam!
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just love our surroundings ... only a short swim over to 'my' beach!
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wonderful time of the day ...guess who cut my hair? Bruno! and he did an excellent job...merci mon amour!
NISIS DHIAPOROS, SUCH AN ENCHANTING ISLAND .....
PINE CLAD TO THE WATER'S EDGE, SPECTACULAR ROCK FORMATIONS, OLIVE GROVES, CICADAS SINGING FROM DAYLIGHT TO DUSK, EVEN MUCH LATER WITH THIS HOT WEATHER.... SANDY COVES, PROTECTED ANCHORAGES, TURQUOISE WATERS, FEW SCATTERED HOUSES, VERY FEW PEOPLE, VERY FEW BOATS! AND WE ARE THE 8TH JULY 2012!
ALSO VERY LITTLE DEVELOPMENT AROUND THE SURROUNDING COAST LINE...WE DO WIZZ ACROSS IN OUR DINGHY TO THE LOCAL SUPERMARKET ETC...NOT FAR ACROSS THE LIMPID CLEAR WATERS OF THE 'LAGOON'.
UNBELIEVABLE.....NO TAVERNAS, NO DISCO MUSIC, NO DAYTRIPPERS.....EXPLAINS WHY WE HAVE NOT MOVED FOR 7 DAYS......NOT FORGETTING ENJOYABLE COMPANY WHEN WE WANT....PARADISE?
SHOW TIME EVERY EVENING AS WE WITNESS THE MOST AMAZING SUNSETS , PLUS THE FANTASTIC FULL MOON WE HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED.....
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MAGICAL MOUNT ATHOS ......!!!
MOUNT ATHOS FROM ANOTHER ANGLE....PITY I DO NOT HAVE A ZOOM LENS TO CAPTURE THE MONASTERIES AND OTHER HABITATIONS HANGING OFF THE SHEER ROCKS.....IMPRESSIVE!
TYPICAL IMAGES of AYVALIK & ALIBEY .... SO MANY CRUMBLING RUINS of MANSIONS & CHURCHES FROM THE GREEK PRESENCE up to 1923 IN THIS PART OF TURKEY......BOTH TOWNS NOW ENJOY SOME TOURIST TRADE, 90% TURKISH, MAINLY FROM THE BIG CITIES OF ISTANBUL & ANKARA ETC.....HUGE PRODUCTION OF LOCAL OLIVE OIL.
I COULD NOT RESIST THIS CUTE KEDI FROM CAMLIK SITTING UNDER MY CHAIR....
I COULD NOT RESIST THIS CUTE KEDI FROM CAMLIK SITTING UNDER MY CHAIR....
Actually this text should be in the BLOG page .....but I cannot work out how to change it, so sorry ....
Exploring Gulluck Korfezi, Turkey.....had some incredible thunderstorms, with heavy rain, great for washing down the boat....anchored off in shallow calm waters at Gôlkôy, near Turk Buku. Ensuite off the small typical fishing port of Torba, just 8 kilometres from Bodrum by dolmus. (But we did not need to go, we have had enough Bodrum for the time being ...so noisy now with the non-stop agressive disco music!)
Then over to Asin Liman (Iassus), an almost landlocked inlet, where we anchored under the ruins of ancient Iassus, scattered amongst the olive groves, with cows and goats grazing to the waters edge . OOFF! No disco!! Unfortunately, Bruno and Nazmiye had returned to France with their 2 children, but S/Y 'YOL' is awaiting their rapid return.
Kuyucak was our next mouillage...a small inlet with one attractive hotel, not noisy, ruins of a Greek church from way back, lush green sourroundings, local fisherman, excellent holding...all very sleepy. We stayed 2 nights as blowing strongly outside, but so well protected here.
Heading out of the Gulf, 2 more nights in Kuruerik Liman, large bay, again excellent holding, but very little charm. One other yacht, a few local gulets around, so hyper calm. Must be terribly busy in season. Sailed by the new Didim Marina on leaving, but marinas are really not our 'thing'...except for Winter.
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WINTER HAS FINISHED AT LAST....NOW IT IS TIME TO CRUISE AND ENJOY...... 3 MONTHS IN TURKEY.......then??
MANY NEW LIVEABOARD FRIENDS MADE DURING OUR WINTER IN KOS MARINA, GREECE.
WE HAD THE MOST ENJOYABLE TIME AS YOU CAN SEE......
It was cold, as elsewhere in southern Europe, but we had great hot showers in the Marina, always clean .....so much appreciated, not forgetting the very friendly locals with shopping facilities conveniently close by......our bicycles were used every day, so practical....
WE HAD THE MOST ENJOYABLE TIME AS YOU CAN SEE......
It was cold, as elsewhere in southern Europe, but we had great hot showers in the Marina, always clean .....so much appreciated, not forgetting the very friendly locals with shopping facilities conveniently close by......our bicycles were used every day, so practical....
NIKI'S VISIT TO BODRUM OCTOBER 2011......THEN SHE RETURNED IN NOV TO KOS WITH ALDO! PLEASE COME AGAIN, NIKI...YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!
2011.....GREECE AND TURKEY ....Just a melange of photos to give you an idea.....all mixed up! We sailed from Messolonghi (winter 2010/2011) around the Peloponesse then into the Aegean over to Turkey, mostly the southern coast, but just as far as Kekova Roads this time.
We sailed all this area on our Endurance 35 S/Y' Farmington' in 1997/1998 and wanted to relive the experience.... definitely not disappointed! I will eventually add photos further down from our departure in April 2010, from Port Camargue, France.
PELOPONNESE.........SPRING 2011
EPOUSTOUFLANT!.....OUR VISIT in March 2011, to the 'HOLY METEORA' with it's SACRED MONASTERYS ....we hired a car and headed inland.....certainly not disappointed by these majestic rock formations and impressive monasterys, recognized by UNESCO....a MUST to visit!
Just look at the following photos....!
Merci Bruno ....was a wonderful birthday present!!
MESSOLONGHI, GULF OF PATRAS ...WINTER 2010/2011
22nd September 2010...RDV WITH MIKE, OUR DEAR SCOTTISH FRIEND FROM WAY WAY BACK ....WE FINALLY MET UP AGAIN WHEN 'OCEAN VILLAGE' AND 'PACIFIC PEARL' CROSSED PATHS IN KATAKOLON......MANY THANKS, MIKE, YOU GAVE US A MEMORABLE DAY ON BOARD 'YOUR' SHIP, WE WERE VERY SPOILT!!
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A DEFINITE MUST ....THE IMPRESSIVE RUINS OF OLYMPIA SET AMONGST THE OLIVE AND OAK TREES ......We left 'Pacific Pearl' in Katakolon and enjoyed the train ride to the site. 21st Sept.2010
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ZAKINTHOS, THE ANCHORAGE OF KERI IN THE SOUTH...JUST GORGEOUS! Sept 2010
Look at that view!
Look at that view!
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I CANNOT RESIST.....