The Ancient Mother (her description) was 92 this weekend. She remains a sprightly, bright, and upright example of good preservation, and it has become our habit to celebrate her birthday…

British Virgin Islands

Chris Beeson has gone to The Dogs, reached the Bitter End, even needed Painkillers – and never been happier than on charter in the British Virgin Islands

While many leisure yachtsmen might support the idea of Marine Conservation Zones, there is simultaneous apprehension about them – the echo of a caveat such as ‘as long as they…

Dick Durham

My mother died recently and I now know why ships are called shes. I suddenly feel as though I’ve been left to swim for it, even though I’ve been old enough…

Maybe I should explain further in case by any chance readers of these pages think that I have finally been ejected from the confines of my mind. I am not…

Jonty Pearce

The sun was shining on the sea, Shining with all his might: He did his very best to make The billows smooth and bright– And this was odd, because it…

At this time of year, especially on a rare warm winter fine day, I like to sit in Aurial’s cockpit and let my eye and mind wander over the marina…

Jonty Pearce

The physical aspect of on board romance is a subject rarely covered by the yachting press. We know many sailors do participate in a bit of nookie afloat, but few…

Christmas is coming and the geese are getting fat. The turkeys are looking worried and getting twitchy when cranberry sauce is mentioned. It seems improbable, but in the middle of…