It’s been ten years since Henrietta came into my life. Apart from brief spells on land, she’s been my floating home all that time. Together we’ve visited countless wonderful places, met amazing people, and sailed some 85,000 miles, including two Atlantic Circuits, one circumnavigation and other bits and pieces.

She may be ten years older, 25 not 15, and I may be too, 75 not 65. But whereas she has lots of new bits to keep her youthful and strong (everything from sails and rigging to ropes and batteries and much more), I’m still the original model, no new bits, just slightly worn out old bits. Recent sailing in the boisterous conditions that occur around the Canary Islands has been testing!

This is to say, I don’t plan to stop sailing just yet but I am going to try a summer in England living in a house. Henrietta can rest in Tazacorte boatyard on the island of La Palma. She’s not spent three months out of the water before.

Britain is not nearly as dreadful as the media like to tell us; though I’ve felt compelled to write letters to my M.P. about its tacit support for the orange headed monster across the sea, and lack of condemnation for the cruel, ruthless and dishonest leaders in Israel, Sudan, Russia and elsewhere.

But, away from global horrors and just so you know what has been going on….from a few weeks in England with the delights of children and friends to see, plus Devon, Sheffield, spring flowers and country walks, I returned to Tenerife for more sailing and mountain walking. Then on to La Gomera, for more spring flowers and ever-wonderful mountain walks. 

And for spring flowers on La Gomera…….

Now, on the island of La Palma, there’s a space in Tazacorte boatyard where Henrietta may rest awhile. With help from fellow live-aboard, Rian, she came out of the water this morning.