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.

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!.

24th March

Photos from Cuba and Grand Cayman now in the diary for your viewing pleasure!

11th March
Phil and Norma are returning to the UK due to a family illness and will recommence their trip at some point in the future.

7th March

Phil and Norma due to go through the Panama Canal on Saturday - check out the live webcam of them going through the Gatun Locks between 1600 and 1800 local time (2100 and 2300 UTC) Saturday 10th.

27th February

Read about one of Phil and Norma’s hardest sails yet: from Cuba to Panama (Photos to follow).

18th February

Check out the diary entry from Cuba - friends, salsa and bureaucracy (Photos to follow).

26th January

Happy new year! Check out the latest update from Florida. Phil and Norma are now on route to Cuba.