When we arrived back at The Blue Dolphin Marley was in the water, washed down and still all packed up from last year.
It’s quite an exhausting feeling surveying ‘what is’ especially after 24 hours of transiting. Luckily no turbulence on our flights.
A good nights sleep makes it all seem easier and we set to work washing and polishing the hull.
We have bought new ropes with us from Australia- 20kgs of dynema ropes as our cotton and polyester ones are hard, stiff and unreliable.
Mousing – is a term for – replacing big ropes with a string line, literally sending a mouse down a mouse hole. So we had removed our old ropes, stitched a ‘mouse’ as we did it and pulled the mouse line through. Now we reverse the process and – hey presto – new lines all in place.
After 3 days – time for a break and we flew to London to spend a week with my Aunt who is 95.
We flew into Heathrow and took the fast train up to Darlington. Speeding through the English countryside – the ‘green’ is extraordinary- and the trees are huge. Everything is green.
Aunty Christine lives in Hartburn, Stockton on Tees. She has been in this house since 1955 and alone since 1992. Coming to see her is really nice and we can offer assistance and get some tasks done that otherwise might be impossible.
While we are with her we take the opportunity to visit Whitby, Durham and High Force – the biggest waterfall in England and a place of my childhood.
We flew back into the sunshine – it’s a pleasant 23C most days and very cool at night, jumpers and blankets required.
More boat tasks but we are nearing completion. The last item is our sail battens. We have our sails but somehow our battens have been misplaced. So we have to wait. As it’s Sunday we decide to take the train into Rome for the day – incredible how busy it was. Trains were packed to the point of overloading, the sun was out, although it was busy it was and always is a treat to be in such a beautiful and historic place.
Monday morning and the battens will be here today at some point and tomorrow we can sail south to Ponza.
Ciao ciao
janeandrogersadventure 
Fabulous as always Jane! Thank you 🙏.
How lovely of you to visit you aunt – beautiful, but gosh it looked cold!! Must admit I have settled into the warmth – but still cool enough to warrant a jumper at times!
Everything coming together here – vaguely – but regardless it will be fun having everyone around. Agree with the tourist situation – Lecce, normally fine at this time – was really busy! And, damn it, I’m hearing far too many English speaking tourists here – plus the Germans, French, etc.!! Nothing stays the same for long when you find a beautiful spot!!
Happy and safe sailing!!
Ciao ciao!! 👋
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Maybe they are all earlier to ‘beat the heat’ – lots of Americans. See you soon – looking forward to it all. Xx
love reading about your adventures and living vicariously through your entries. The family resemblance between you and your aunt is remarkable in the shape of your faces and some features.
What a contrast between the mist of the UK and the sunshine of Rome – lovely little vignettes of Rome too
What a great way to keep a diary of your travels. We’re in Berlin about to leave in a few days to go to Wales and then to Greece. A place I’ve never been and look forward to! Bruce is also good at keeping a diary but does this with a pen and little notebook.. Have a great trip.. I’ll be looking out for new entries!
Cheers Betsy
Hi Betsy – it is a great way to share and record. We started in 2012 and I enjoy the process. Roger too an artist – and we must recommend the Moleskine Smart Pen and Pad. Rog bought one last year in Venice and he loves how easy it is and also keeps a visual diary. Have a look. Xx
hi Jane and Rog. Great reading and I love the English green. Been watching the French Open and it has been cold and wet. But the weather can turn to summer in a day. And maybe it had for you.
happy you saw your Aunt. Love the pics. There was a historical synod in Whitby so school lessons were woken when u described it.
love to you
That definitely was the case yesterday! Pouring rain that looked set in and by 5pm – blue skies, warm and everyone out celebrating Republic Day. Fireworks in the daytime! It’s a thing in Italy. Not sure why! Xx