Just thought I would let you know that in September, I took Charlie Farley down to Portugal from Penzance.

Sailing Solo, I did the trip all way to Villa Real in Spain on the Ria Guadiana then finally back to Faro where I had him hauled out for the winter.

Crossing Biscay was the most exciting - I managed from St. Mary's in the Isles of Scilly to Carmarinas in NW Spain anchor to anchor in exactly 4 days and 2 hours!!!! not bad for a GK24 huh!!! My 24 hour distance record was 124nm in 24 hours.

When I finally arrived in Carmarinas - there were friends waiting for me on their Endurance 35 and had arranged laundry and repairs for me on my arrival!!! (I had a broken stay toggle that needed welding.)

It was pleasing to get exclamations of surprise when recounting my journey to other sailors - it seems everyone is surprised by the ability of a fractional rig , keel stepped GK24 - Charlie Farley is obviously no stranger to intrepid journeys.

The strangest experience was recieving text messages 300miles from Land out in Biscay as a passing Cruise ship obviously had a mobile phone mast for it's passengers use!!!

Charlie Farley is now booked in for a trip to Morocco in March and then back to ALvor in Portugal for the summer.

It was a fantastic trip and I would do it all again tomorrow!!!!!!