Sailing UK to Gibraltar - Our first 6 months

May 2020

It has been 12 months since we let the lines go and friends waved us off in Southampton, UK.  We were tired from all the prep work, excited for what was to come, anxious about the unknown and scared of what we did know.  But this was the start of our dream, to sail the world for as long as we both wanted and were able to.

Our first 6 weeks were spent winding down in Swanage, Brixham, Dittisham & Dartmouth, UK.  The weather was good to us with hot, long summer days.  There is nothing on earth like the UK in good weather, it is truly a stunning country.  Unfortunately, dry warm days are rare in the UK and it is this reason that has led us to wanting to sail off in search of good weather and new places.

Having completed a few odd jobs and a visit from Katrina, Stu, Zed & Zach and Paul, David and Jess (friends of ours) we were ready to cross the English Channel.  This would be our first crossing and our first time in France in Cordelia, we were excited.  An overnight passage on one tack from Dartmouth to L'Aber Wrach at an average of 5knots with dolphins swimming off the bow, was more than we could ever have dreamt for.

We loved Northern France.  Friends had asked us before whey we hadn't at least sailed there for our summer holiday's in the past, we now ask ourselves that same thing.  Brittany is beautiful and the coast round entering the Atlantic was just as stunning.

We moved on crossing The Bay of Biscay.  This again was a truly amazing passage, with no wind it took us over 3 days.  We witnessed the most beautiful and restful sunrises & dolphins swimming in luminescence with no moon, the beauty of them gliding through the ocean that was as black at tar but with sparkling streams of blue & green behind them was something from a Disney movie, just magical.

We arrived in Gijon, Northern Spain and again we loved it.  Our special place was the Spanish Rias.  These are 3 Rias that you enter from the Atlantic and must not be missed on your way to the Mediterranean or Caribbean.  There are so many beaches and fishing villages you could easily spend months there.

From the Rias we headed towards Portugal.  We were in for a surprise.  We didn't realise how stunning areas of Portugal are.  We spent time Caiscais visiting Lisbon and a couple of anchorages along the Atlantic coast heading towards The Algarve.  We had been told not to miss Ilha da Culatra and we are so pleased we didn't.  We actually spent a few weeks here.  It was safe, calm & beautiful.  The little island had no roads or cars.  All buildings are no more than 2 story houses, the paths are forever covered in sand and groceries can be bought from 2 small shops.  Apparently 3000 people on this sliver of land and all supplies are bought over by boat from mainland Portugal.  This is place we would love to visit again.

Cadiz came next, where we met Sue & Robbie who spent a week visiting at the same time (although they were in a hotel).  Cadiz is a special place, full of very old buildings that have not been damaged by world wars.  Entering the bay Cadiz city is enclosed within a wall with turrets from buildings in the distance.  If you've never spent time in Cadiz, then try to.  It's narrow lanes with beautiful towering buildings each side makes it a city never to be forgotten.

Leaving Cadiz we knew our next main stop would be in the Gibraltar Bay.  We had decided that having had such a brilliant time since we left the UK, why hurry to go across the Atlantic and miss out on spending some time the Mediterranean so we booked a winter berth in Alcaidesa Marina in La Linea Spain.  

We have sailed in 4 countries, visited 29 anchorages or marinas and travelled 1618 nautical miles in 6 months.  We've met some amazing people, eaten some scrumptious food and seen some fantastic places - what a first year!!!!