For this trip we are 3 up. Nicky, me and Cian. Cian may now be regretting his arrival aboard a yacht he helped to sail from Ireland to Cartagena in July with his friend Gordon; they were berthed next to us and in yachtie tradition we made friends with our neighbours in the marina.

A couple of strong G&T’s later and we were all firm friends so it wasn’t long before he heard of our need for a third crew to help us on the Med transit to Greece.

I thought you should see what he looks like so here is a none too serious shot of Cian about to go for a swim! He’s a great crew mate and has developed a unique and very funny Irish lexicon of the Algerian and Tunisian towns we see marked in our chart as we sail (motor actually) along the coast.

Today sees us 350 miles out from Cartagena and a good third of the way to our destination in the Ionian. The weather forecast over this weekend is not looking too pleasant with winds gusting 35 knots around Sicily. Manageable for sure but the combo of strong winds and rough seas is certainly not on our wish list. So, we are thinking that a stop in Tunisia is looking attractive once more to allow us to refuel (diesel is also said to be cheaper - a lot cheaper) and shelter from the weather for a day or two. Never having been to Tunisia I’m looking forward to hoisting the home made courtesy flag Nicky has made and arriving on the African continent. We are told the boat will be searched and are thinking what we might offer as baksheesh which is said often to be expected.

The crew is all in good shape but we’d welcome a sailing wind and a rest from the engine noise and the bigger than expected swell which makes sleeping hard with the boat rolling around a fair bit. Thankfully nobody has been sea sick. Yet.