Welcome to our Website

Intended to be of value to all who visit

• keeping our family and friends up-to-date on our activities;

• providing the odd tip for sailors or even encouragement to plan and do;

• sharing experiences and observations on parts of the world we visit;

... and, it will provide a record for us so that we can look back and remember well.

We are setting out on the third of our big adventures in life – an active, informative, enjoyable and exciting post-employment life.  Just in case people are expecting something extraordinary, the first big adventure has been getting married and the second has been having children.

26th April

Photos and update on the Pacific Crossing and Phil and Norma’s first taste of French Polynesia.

26th March

Read all about Phil & Norma’s latest adventures, including leaving Panama, crossing the line (again!) and exploring the Galapagos islands.

7th February 2013

Check out Phil and Norma’s update on life back in Panama.

31st December

Phil and Norma are now back in Panama to prepare Minnie B for the 2013 adventures, after a wonderful visit to the UK spending valuable time with family and friends.

5th August

Final diary entry for 2012 now online. Read about life in Panama prior to the return to the UK.

1st July

Phil and Norma have returned from their adventures in Peru. Check out their stories and photos, including their flight over the Nazca lines and trip to Machu Picchu.

30th May

Read about Phil and Norma’s journey back through the Panama Canal.

30th April

Phil and Norma are safely back in Panama. Read all about their escapades in the Pacific in the diary.

24th April

While sailing downwind at around 7kts, in position 04deg10'.21N  81deg 24'47W, near Isla del Malpelo, Minnie B hit some submerged debris, believed to be discarded fishing tackle including a steel cage. This resulted in damage to both the rudder hydraulics and the autopilot hydraulics, with possible damage to the steering bearings.  Phil and Norma are absolutely fine and neither they nor the boat are in danger.  They are currently heading back to Balboa, Panama, albeit slowly as they are hand steering and beating into a Northerly wind. The rudder is in the folded position making the steering very heavy. Morale is high - it's sunny and there's lots of food etc on board.

20th April

Read all about Minnie B’s journey through the Panama Canal.

16th April

Check out the diary update and photos from Panama.

15th April

Phil and Norma are back in Panama and will transit the canal on 16th and 17th April.  You can see them on the webcam at Gatun locks on 16th at around 1400 -1500 local time (1900 -2000 UTC; 2000-2100 BST). The plan is that they overnight in Gatun Lake and transit Miraflores Lock on 17th around 1100 local  time (1600 UTC; 1700 BST) for another webcam opportunity!.