We are in the final stages of our preparations for departure from Viareggio to Antibes and hope to leave tonight after the waves settle down. The port of Viareggio has a sand bar outside which means entering and leaving can only be done during the calmest conditions for fear of touching the bottom. The breaking waves from yesterday continue to lessen and so we are hopeful for departure this evening. We have a small weather window as the Mistral is expected to kick in on Thursday and therefore our 140...

Last November Eilean was lifted out of the water and returned to the shipyard she was restored in, Cantiere Francesco Del Carlo in Viareggio. With Winter descending on us it was seen as the best way to get the maximum done throughout the winter and iron out all those teething problems that are inevitable with the launch of a newly restored yacht. Chuck came from Palma and lifted the rigs which we stripped of all standing and running rigging in the comfort of another Del Carlo shed. Then we were...

The mistral that held us all shore bound in Mahon for the final two days of racing attempted to restrict the progress of those planning on the Italian instalment of the end of season’s Panerai regattas. Imperia was 290 miles away ‘as the crow flies’ and yet the 3-4 metre swell denied us an early exit towards the region of pesto and Liguria’s sweet wine, Sciacatra. Moonbeam IV decided to call it a day and headed to Palma de Mallorca to wait for the waters to calm before heading to Cannes....

Sailing languidly through the veil of fog off the Portugese coastline was what felt like the transition from cold and wet to warm and sunny, from the UK to the continent, from Cornish pasties and fish ‘n’ chips to tapas and Paella. In my mind the Biscay was the last major passage hurdle of a busy year, (although a mistral may well keep life interesting for the passage from Mahon to Imperia at the end of the week) and...

For over two weeks we were berthed amongst the lights, noise and colours of London's Central Business District in the South Dock of Canary Wharf. Built in the 1860's for the 'West India Dock Company' she was an addition to the two northern basins and seemed somewhat appropriate for Eilean's temporary residence. Just 50 meters away thousands of people robotically commute to and from work each day passing unknowingly within a stone's throw from the beautiful Eilean. Not quite...