Ep8 - Sailing in the late summer sun

Sailing in October, for us, usually means piling on the layers. Not this year! It's still 35 degrees on the Costa Blanca and we're really enjoying sailing, swimming and exploring in the sunshine.
We go in search of good anchorages, buy a paddleboard, and enjoy working on the boat without the customary wind and rain that we usually injure at the end of the season.
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OUR ADVENTURE:
We are sailing slowly around the world in our classic cutter rigged sailboat 'Fair Isle'. With the children leaving home we decided to sell our house in the UK and buy a boat in Holland. After two years refitting our Hans Christian 48T we have now set off a world voyage.
We are retiring early because we want to attempt this voyage in good health and while we're fit and strong enough to really enjoy it. We will have to work a bit as we go until we can draw our pensions and we honestly don't know how well that will work. In our real lives we are journalists and filmmakers so it was only natural for use to document our travels by filming the journey. We aim to produce a professional standard vlog of the whole trip and try to give the viewer a real insight into what it's like to live and travel on a 48 foot sailboat.
Our first aim is to sail South. After a winter getting iced in on the Markermeer in the Netherlands Judy insisted on warmer weather! So if you start from Episode 1 you will see us setting off from Eastbourne in the UK and travelling along the South Coast to Plymouth to enter a rally called ARC Portugal.
Our first goal is to reach the Mediterranean and that means sailing across the infamous Bay of Biscay. This was a very good test for our boat as the bay lived up to it's fearsome reputation and split the whole fleet with a force 10 storm. Storm Miguel cut through our path and meant we had to run to mainland Spain to escape the massive seas and fearsome winds. Six boats couldn't make it in time and spent several very uncomfortable days at sea. The fleet had several broken boats, but thankfully no injured people. And this was just Episode 2!
The excitement continued for the rest of our trip to the Med. Dolphins played in our bow wave, we sampled fantastic local foods and wines, great port in Porto! We found some beautiful anchorages and visit some wonderful historic places like Lisbon in Portugal, Cadiz in Spain and the fascinating port of Gibraltar.
We will show you what it's like to winter in the Mediterranean, how much it all costs and give hints and tips on where to go how to save money with your boat and the places you stay. We are also talking to other sailors. After years of broadcasting journalism we know how to get peoples stories and we regularly film other sailors to show their boats and lifestyle as well as ours. We can always learn from others.
Our long term plan is to spend a few years in the Mediterranean, on our list of place we want to visit are; Mallorca, Malta, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Italy, Tunisia, to name but a few!
When we feel we've seen the best of what the Med has to offer we will cross the Atlantic to the Caribbean, we are hoping we can fit in a trip to the Azores on the way.
We have no idea how long we might want to stay in the Caribbean but we do intend to have at least one excursion up the Eastern seaboard of the United States to visit the wonderful sailing areas of Florida, Virginia, sailing Meccas such as Chesapeake bay and hopefully get all the way up to New York.
Of course the South Pacific is somewhere every sailor wants to go and will be a real draw for us. So going through the Panama canal will be a real milestone and we really look forward to having the big doors shut behind us and sailing into the biggest sailing playground of all!
#sailingfairisle

[@anandarochisha]

For awhile i was thinking that sailing Channels were going to remain a pitiful selection of juvenile and conflicted South Sea "Survivor" Series'. Vapid millennial drama queens grovelling for patreon dollars from middle aged pedophiles that they may remain in sponsored arrested development until voted off the Boat. Vacillating between oh so pure organic pistachio flour rolled fresh caught tuna sashimi bites squeezed between cleavage shots, then puking over the side. "Who am I and what the hell am i doing here on this stinking polluted planet..omg i can't believe i drank that liter of 25 cent guaro". Some real adult faces simply had to show up to reassert that Reality will remain in control. Glad that You two came along. THANK YOU.

[@svfairisle]

I love the humour in your comment. I guess we are a bit older than some of the other sailors but we like to think the sea keeps us young....😀Happy sailing, Dan.

[@DoctorProperty]

Dan, brilliant you have elucidated perfectly my thoughts of many months about the pubescent sailing channels. To paraphrase - this is all about "Me" - an introspective free zone, narcissism at it's best. It's always been a truism that the worst people to deal with are the unabashed narcissists who have no internal dialogue - blissfully ignorant about their own selfish stupidity and their entitled view of the world. It's great to see normal older people enjoying the great life changing pursuit that is sailing, without the boasting and smugness of the "sailing millennials"

[@gaycha6589]

It's still milftastic though...

Congratulations; good observation, excellent comment,

[@tonycoutts-smith4654]

Aperol in real glasses- hey you do have style👍🏻

[@Themothershipsailing]

I absolutely love how you present your travels - just stunning. And nice to see some sophistication and real appreciation of both your boat and the places you go. Kudos!

[@davidbamford4721]

I understand how marvellous sunshine is when you’re not used to it, but it comes with an awful after-effect; melanoma! I speak as an Australian melanoma survivor. We have lots of strong sunshine, and I used to work without a shirt, so I developed a cancer in the middle of my back. A surgeon removed it, and thankfully got all of it away.

[@AlbertoA15]

Amazing video guys! A little trick with pimientos is to put them on absorbing kitchen paper right after removing them from the pan so that they aren’t oily. In Galicia we eat a variety called “Pimiento de Padrón”. Usually they aren’t spicy but brace yourself for the one that it’s 🔥 . We cook them on a pan with olive oil, then remove the oil, put them on a plate and add salt to taste.

[@louisstellini7711]

Nice couple nice boat nice videos I wish you a good trip to London see you again good luck

[@chrismulvey49]

Just found your channel, will be binge watching it to catch up. Great videos so far

[@svfairisle]

Cool, will be interested to see how you think it goes through the seasons. Let us know

[@randalltowers2097]

I loved that you found the simple beauty of the dried thistle. Great subtlety! (Is that oxymoronic?)

[@johnwalden9769]

We love your videos Paulette & John keep them coming

[@simoncousin3241]

Steve what a good and clean worker you are even had the vacuum cleaner out,if you live till 100 using those winches ,and climbing up the mast we can put it down to the excellent cooking :):)

[@simontaylor4873]

Nice to see real world sailing, cooking, maintenance and new toys!!

[@alsoknownasMaSTeR]

Hey Judy, I know it's messier and unhealthier, but we actually deep fry pimientos del padron. They are even tastier! Love your channel. Regards from a Spaniard who lives in Ireland!

[@judyaslett2]

Well I will have to try that!

[@emreg89]

Nice sailboat. Classical.

[@wesanderson7918]

Thank you for sharing your adventures, I am 48 and if all goes right I will be out there in 7 years. Hopefully much sooner though. Another great video.

[@sk4256]

Love the channel and the content. I was trying to think of what more i wanted to see that could add an additional layer of interest. I thought, some cooking ideas would be good. See what you eat and how easy/difficult meals are to prepare underway. So i did laugh today when i watched you cooking. Good one😄. Thanks for that, look forward to more and maybe info and costs on victualising. ( never thought I’d get to use that word😂). SK in the UK.

[@mauricehoule756]

Hi, We just discovered your videos. Love them. Continue the good work. We are still in Spain but will catch up soon. M&M

[@gj0628]

Awesome videos guys 1st class. The narrators voice is amazing. She should read audio books 👌🏾

[@dondevine5129]

nice video thanks

[@sailingavocet]

That sounds lovely, great video! Cheers from the channel islands

[@arnybarmy]

What a great way to escape on a wet and windy UK afternoon, a lovely video. Safe travels and I look forward to your visit to Ibiza.

[@giannithestud1]

1:58 in 😃thank you

[@moniquemedleycommercialpro2112]

Thank you from San Diego!

[@mk1photography62]

A lovely video to steer me away from the gloomy UK weather - thanks!

[@trentbush38]

Inflatable kayaks are alot of fun as well! Really enjoying the channel! Thank you!

[@svfairisle]

Yes I'm researching kayaks to try and find a good sea going inflatable version, any ideas?

[@trentbush38]

Hi Steve! Take a look at the REI website as well as the AirKayak site. The Advanced Elements brand is, I believe, a good one. See the Advanced Elements advanced frame model and the Island Voyage 2 model. A tandem model that can easily convert to a solo version. I dragged something like this around the carribean on a couple extended snorkel/dive trips. We spent hours and hours snorkeling/paddling/diving off of something similar... Although you will always have the tender... Also think collapsible paddles, pump, an appropriate small anchor, and a dedicated travel /storage duffel bag.

[@svfairisle]

@@trentbush38 Thanks Trent, gonna have a look right now!

[@richardspurlock3300]

We live in Florida and will most likely never make it to the Med. so we enjoy watching your channel. We also like how you put shore visiting with the sailing. Keep up the good work.

[@123boat]

Richard Spurlock Never let an ocean get in your way for visiting the Med 🤔 It's full of history and the most beautiful places. 👍

[@peterschwarer4352]

Good job guys, enjoying the channel and the content. The professionalism shows through and keeps one's attention through the episode... thank you both for your time to share your adventures !!

[@keithwright4921]

Love you guys,xx

[@ВикторДемченко-д9ь]

Молодцы, попутного ветра и удачи.

[@svfairisle]

большое спасибо

[@dazthesailor6363]

Fantastic video keep them coming

[@navegandomivandestadt34]

Excellent quality

[@NickBeenham]

These are great programs, giving me loads of ideas, thanks!

[@tonydavis8692]

Enjoyed it from SC

[@allanatherfold572]

Just found your channel and subscribed. Will be binge watching to catch up now that I have time between my sailing in the northern hemisphere and sailing in the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoying what I seen so far

[@svfairisle]

Thanks Allan, sound interesting... do you have a boat in both hemispheres and just hop between them in the right season? If so, good plan!

[@allanatherfold572]

Luckily I have a sail boat based in Croatia for European summers and the use of a sail boat in Maui, Hawaii, though strictly speaking still in the northern hemisphere the climate is pretty tropical for winter sailing! Not used to big tides that’s for sure! Keep up the good work on your KZbin channel.

[@svfairisle]

@@allanatherfold572 Sounds like you've got that sorted! What's your view of Croatia? I've been there without the boat so know it's lovely, but have heard some horror stories about prices - being charged for ancorages etc.

[@allanatherfold572]

Unfortunately Croatia has become greedy concerning tourists and especially sailing with the prices going up year on year. However it still remains a beautiful place to sail and to avoid it is a big mistake as it’s still doable without going bankrupt! ACI Marinas are very expensive but do have great facilities, there are less expensive marinas also with good facilities. The harbors are lovely with a mix of services, most have electric/water some even a shower. The price varies on these according it seems by popularity! The lasted idea by the Ministry of Shipping to steal money from yachtsmen is offering concessions to people to operate a charge for anchoring in certain areas, as well as charging for mooring buoys! However there are lots of beautiful protected bays where it’s free. I’ve noticed that the increase in cost has driven a lot of private yacht owners to move south to Greece, though it doesn’t seem to affect the charter boat market that is huge in Croatia especially the flotilla fleets that appears to grow larger each season and is another reason why boat owners are heading south. Having said that sailing in June, September and October is very special here, everyone is so relaxed after the hubbub of the summer season.

[@christ8173]

Greetings from (not so sunny at present) Eastbourne! Just found your channel and have binge watched all of your videos. Beautiful boat! Your mix of sailing and travel tips are just right. I look forward to following your adventures.

[@svfairisle]

We had two good years in Sovereign Harbour, enjoyed our time there. Cartagena definitely has the edge on winter climate though! This time last year the full winter bimini was up and the heating was on. Still shorts & tee shirts only out here!

[@veryanoynimouse]

Another wonderful video. You made the caulking job look so easy! Enjoy your paddle board.

[@svfairisle]

Having the perfect weather helps. The last time I decided to re-do a little section in the Autumn in Holland I think I ended up waiting about 2 months before the weather was settled enough to do it with a dry deck!

[@matgolebiewski]

Happy birthday

[@kddidit08]

Happy (belated) Birthday! We share an October 1st birthday (along with Julie Andrews) and I just turned 60 😳 Here in British Columbia, it's always gorgeous on our birthday, though no one ever believes me until the hot sun arrives. Thanks for your beautiful videos!

[@svfairisle]

Wow happy 60th! I'm a few years behind at 57. It was a lovely birthday thank you and I hope to have many more in the sun like you

[@beverlyaslett7871]

Pimientos? I’ve not seen that before. I might check that out

[@svfairisle]

You see them a lot in Spain and Portugal, they’re lovely!

[@pandapack6960]

Great video, always dreamt of doing the same. Living the dream.

[@namechamps]

Redoing the deck caulking. If it only it were that fast in real time.

[@darknesstadel1239]

Amazing video! Keep it up. Grettings Tatjana

[@svfairisle]

Thanks Tatjana, lovely to meet you today

[@garywatson4142]

Nice video guys,and oh what a boat,positively orgasmic

[@tomdailey5033]

Thank you for the wonderful videos. You have become one of my favorite sailing channels and I look forward to your new releases. Your boat is beautiful. If you ever make it to the coast of Florida my wife and I would love to meet you both. Fair winds.

[@svfairisle]

Hi Tom, thanks for that. We will definitely be coming to Florida sometime just not sure when! Do remind us when you see us heading your way, we would love to share a beer. Steve

[@simonch5140]

Has anyone said to you that you sound like Anne Gregg from the BBC’s Holiday program? I think you do and it was one of my favourite programs. I enjoy the videos keep up the good work.

[@svfairisle]

Well it seems to me some of the best TV, nowadays, is on KZbin so thank you for the compliment. I'm glad I swapped war zones for holiday programmes in later life. It's certainly more relaxing.

[@simonch5140]

We’re currently relaxing in Mallorca and as you say the weather for October is stunning. We’ll raise a glass to you both. I tried sailing a good few years ago but didn’t get the bug but I still enjoy the videos. My wife was more of a sailor before we met, Greek islands etc but sadly her health is not up to it now. We love Mallorca and are currently on our 30th visit over the past 12 years. I’m sure you’ve been here but just in case we thoroughly recommend Port de Soller, where we are currently staying. Now retired, we enjoy our trips over here and also to Lyme Regis, our favourite in the UK. Take care and looking forward to your future adventures. Regards Simon & Karen

[@svfairisle]

Simonch we love Mallorca too. My father lived there for 35 years on his boat in Arenal. We have visited Soller many times on the train from Palma. Really looking forward to sailing there. Hope you have a lovely time in the sunshine.

[@DanielTroyer]

@@simonch5140 Soller is truly a gem

[@espenhordnes]

okey next m.

[@stephenchapman8344]

👍

[@joehimes9898]

Do you like the copper skillet?

[@garyhewitt8982]

What a beautiful life you guys have, well done. 👍👍☀️☀️

[@svfairisle]

Arh thanks Gary, I did have a moment today when I doubted that while beating the outboard into submission with a stick, very Faulty Towers (you won't understand that if you're not British!) but Judy did say 'we're in a beautiful anchorage in Ibiza what's your problem?' and she's right, this is pretty good!

[@garyhewitt8982]

Yes fully understand as I'm a Yorkshire man. Keep it up

[@mikebordeaux8218]

Love your videos. Have you guys ever considered buying a drone? You could get some amazing views of your boat and the surrounding areas.

[@svfairisle]

Hi Mike, the drones been grounded with a technical problem im afraid, but were going to the UK this week so will get the part I need & hopefully be flying in the next episode ;)

[@Stoic-of-Rome]

Surprisingly rolly boat at anchor at 26t. Is there anyway to mitigate that on your boat?

[@svfairisle]

No, in my experience 'flopper stoppers' don't really work and are too much hassle.

[@jornhaga8823]

Did you check the Submarine, while you were there?

[@svfairisle]

?

[@davidwarnes5158]

Do you have one controller for your solar panels or 2 , if only 1 you will find that effects your output ,

[@svfairisle]

Yes there are 2 controllers, but they are for two different sets of panels. The ones on the back arch are on one and in series so will suffer a lot from shadows like the one in the video. It's just that shadows on those panels are very rare, it's only when the suns on the nose at at the right elevation, so on the whole the setup I have is the most efficient. There's a whole page and a video on it on the ~~Tech. Corner page of the web site... www.sailingfairisle.com/solar.html

[@TheBeggFamily]

Is that ‘corking’ silicone or something else? I love the inflatable paddle board!

[@svfairisle]

You have to be quite careful with the sealants you use on a boat as it's a very harsh environment, your usual bathroom stuff won't do! I use Silkaflex 291i for that sort of corking, Silkaflex do a whole range of marine sealers & they're very good.

[@DeanColegate]

well made, interesting and entertaining video such as I've come to expect so far! One quick question, you have your kitchen knives stored at head height on a magnetic rack, are you confident they won't fly off when on a rough passage?!

[@svfairisle]

Hi Dean, I thought that before I put them up & was looking for a place to mount them. But actually the magnet's so strong you have to slide them off, you can't pull them, not a chance of them coming loose by accident. So my main worry became would the magnet affect the compass, luckily it's a very closed field and there's not much effect beyond a few feet.

[@stephenchapman8344]

👍😀

[@stotas2]

Great vlog. Awesome area. Can I ask what gas bottles do you use.

[@svfairisle]

Argh! Now there’s a good question! Proving to be more complicated that you might expect. Once I’ve figured what’s definitely best for the Med I will film a little section on it. We were on the big propane bottles, there’s two in the teak box on the stern, but you can’t get them in Spain and can’t refill them either now. So advice was best to go the Camping Gaz, more expensive and Butane not Propane, but my cooker can cope with that with the right regulator. Problem is you can’t get anything other than the small bottles on Camping Gaz anywhere in Cartagena, so not ideal. That’s what I’ve done for now, will be researching what’s best long term for the Med and beyond.

[@Darth.Fluffy]

Do you think you will get a spinnaker or a parasail?

[@svfairisle]

I think for ease of handling a top down roller drifter type sail is favourite at the moment. All academic though as there's not the money in the kitty right now.

[@garywsmith70]

🌈❤️💪😎

[@MrSmithToday]

Can I ask what camera do you use please?

[@svfairisle]

Mainly a Panasonic GH5 and GoPros, but I do sometimes use others as well

[@keithwright4921]

You guys are so lucky,Do you think I could do something like this,with Bad eyesight,,Very jellies Of you Guys,😍😍😍😍🐕😥😥😥Xxxx

[@svfairisle]

During 35 years working as journalists we have been continually surprised and humbled by how people overcome individual challenges. I once filmed a quadriplegic young woman who was sailing around the UK controlling her boat by blowing into tubes! I'm a real believer that you can do whatever you put your mind too. Having said that I know what you mean on a practical level things have to be in place to keep you safe. I'm sure there are navigational instruments made that are more suitable to bad eyesight but there is a limit to what navigational information you can get from electronics and what you need to see in real life. for instance sailing into the anchorage we are in at the moment I sailed around an area of fishing nets that was well marked with cardinal buoys that unless your eyesight was really bad you would probably spot. And the bouys were in the exact spot marked on the chart plotter so that would help you find them. Unfortunately fishermen being fishermen meant that there were several nets well outside the marked area that required you spotting them by sight. It's things like that that are the issue when sailing in unknown waters so at least having someone on board that can act as your eyes would be a very good idea. Good luck, steve

[@fastlink]

Great intro. What kind of film equipment are you using? How do you got so close to the Dolphins???

[@svfairisle]

Nothing special really, standard vlogging gear, using a Lumix G8 mainly. The dolphin shots were just a GoPro on the end of our long boathook!

[@crismoore6811]

I was concerned with you climbing on these unstable grounds.

[@johnshoureas1629]

Where did you get that blade to remove the caulking ?

[@svfairisle]

It's available from Amazon, handy for delivery if you're on a boat. In the UK I would have stuff come to a nearby Amazon locker, really handy. Here's the link to it on the UK site... www.amazon.co.uk/Fein-63903201210-Blade-Colour-Coded/dp/B019A33CUM/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1S6Y041P0YX7S&keywords=fein+de+caulking+blade&qid=1570861175&sprefix=fein+caulking%2Caps%2C162&sr=8-6 If your elsewhere search for 'Fein teak deck blade 4mm" Good luck, Steve

[@FighterFred]

Living The Good Life are you? How awful it looks :)

[@johnyyaussi1339]

Oh look, sailers with actual shoes on while hiking! So tired of seeing kids with flip flops doing long hikes and saying they should have worn shoes.

[@svfairisle]

Ha! well I've switched from wearing nothing but walking boots all my working life to deck shoes now, still have the walking boots in a locker for hikes. Judy sometimes wears flip-flops (not for hiking!), but if you ever see me in a pair you have permission to shoot me! Steve

[@napoleonwon9196]

Why do British people always complain about the weather? You think Spain is better? I live 100 km north of Madrid where the temperatures often drop below -15 deg C in winter and there is thick fog from January to April. Everywhere has weather issues. Please stop talking about it.

[@melparkerson768]

They wont be sailing in Madrid , your winter weather is because of your high altitude . no need to be condescending because we enjoy your weather .

[@michaelmaler6807]

Bist eine sehr hübsche heise frau

[@svfairisle]

Danke Michael

[@michaelmaler6807]

Bitte schön .Hübsche Frau