25th November 2024 to 1st January 2025

From Lanzarote there was a pleasing overnight sail to Gran Canaria before cruising on to Tenerife, a gentle few days to end November.

But now, writing this at the start of another year, 2025, means I pause and reflect on the past year. 

For so many around the world, 2024 was a terrible year of struggle and suffering – especially you must think of those in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Mayotte and countless other troubled places; you have to appreciate your own privileged extreme good fortune. If you’re reading this you are alive, probably safe, well fed, housed and generally unthreatened. 

For me, on Henrietta, the year gave just over 10,000 miles of great pleasure and adventure, a few frustrations and troubles – the highs and lows of sailing life. Meeting old friends and new, visiting well-known old haunts and finding new ones. Another extended Atlantic Circuit, cruising the English Channel, a two month rest in Exeter Canal and train trips to friends in Continental Europe.

Early December, Tenerife…..

Now, I find myself back in La Gomera, my favourite Canary Island. This is just a short post as I’m still recovering from a long mountain walk yesterday and from noisy New Year festivities last night.

It’s been a joy to have wonderful visits from my two elder sons, Johnny and Tom; walks and meals with fellow West Country sailor, Nigel; a sail and brisk mountain walk with lovely Laura and her mother, Yvonne; and, as ever, boat maintenance work and extensive solitary walks in the mountains.

Spare a thought for the trans Atlantic rowers who left La Gomera well before Christmas and are now about half way to Antigua.