18th June to 2nd July 2026

And so from the Scilly Islands in the west I sailed a very leisurely fortnight to my home in Exeter. To be precise, I sailed about 150 miles stopping at my favourite anchorages in Cornwall and Devon to the river Exe and, early one calm and gorgeous morning, on through the lock gates to the Exeter Canal –  and then walked the final few miles to my house. 

My youngest ever crew, Clara, who’d last sailed with me from Senegal to Cabo Verde many months ago, joined for the final few days. She’d just walked the Coast Path from Penzance to Cawsand in record breaking time – carrying a rucksack that was almost as heavy as her. Oh! For the stamina and strength of youth.

Henrietta has covered over 10,000 miles since she was last home in England. She needs some maintenance. Actually she needs some very extensive and intensive tender loving care. But for now and once I can work the engine (for the last day I couldn’t engage forward gear except in the engine room!), I’ll potter around the English Channel to take advantage of some utterly wonderful summer warmth and sunshine. Very intensive TLC must wait till winter.