Sailing Fabule
We are having a great time hopping between islands in the Canaries. Since mid-June, we left Tenerife via the south and explored the islands to the west. We mainly stayed in marinas because the anchorages are exposed. This offered the advantage of protected conditions for our working hours but also made it easier to visit […]
Our sailing pals Bryan and Denise invited us on their sailboat Willow II (Boreal 44.2) to explore the Lofoten islands together. We loved this area where you can sail so close to snowy mountains, experience nature and visit picturesque villages. Meeting point Bodo Located a daysail away from the Lofoten islands, the town of Bodo […]
While changing the turbo of the Volvo D2-75 engine on our sailboat Fabule, we found an answer to an ongoing question: Does increasing the RPM while using the engine help cleaning the soot of the turbo? We also investigated several common issues of the Volvo D2-75 turbo, such as:• Exhaust elbow corrosion (all D2 engines)• […]
This year did not start according to plan. After months of preparation, we had to abort our Atlantic crossing after 2 days and turned back to Tenerife. It was a big disappointment. We soon realised that by the time we completed the repairs, it would be a little late for the crossing. Especially since hurricane […]
This is a flashback of our stay in the Isles of Scilly (south-west of the UK) last August. With sandy beaches and turquoise water, the scenery was truly amazing. Once again, the Isles of Scilly had a surprise in store for us. Fishing a second anchor (Great Ganilly) Upon arrival in the Isles of Scilly, […]
It was time to leave Scotland and to move south. From Loch Slapin to our next destination, the Isles of Scilly southwest of the UK, there are a little more than 500 nautical miles to cover. This represents 4 days of sailing but we stopped a few times on the way. Bye bye Scotland After […]
From time to time, the stars are aligned. We are at the right place at the right time. It happened to us in Loch Slapin, in the south of the Isle of Skye. There is a whale! When we left Mallaig on sunny day with little wind, the sea state was very calm as we […]
After we left Stornoway, we crossed the Hebridean sea to reach the west coast of northern Scotland: the Highlands. We made a few stops in this sparsely populated region, rich with clan history and dominated by the highest mountain ranges of the UK. Loch Torridon in the mist As we arrived in Loch Torridon, we […]
This is the northernmost point of our journey this year. We arrived for the summer solstice. At a latitude of 58 degrees, the sun still sets, but there is barely two hours of darkness. We appreciated these extended days and enjoyed the good company of sailor friends: Chantal and Jean-Yves (Groucho) as well as Pascal […]
This was a special treat on our way from Tarbert to Marivaig, as we passed through the Shiant islands. There were birds flying and swimming everywhere. Breeding place for seabirds Colorful Puffins – the stars of the show Razorbill (petit pinguin) During our sails in Scotland, we have seen many of these north antlantic seabirds. […]