We decided after our summer sailing this year we would go back to the UK for approximately three months (30 August 2021 to 30 December 2021).

We left Marina di Ragusa at sunrise with all our paperwork printed out for Passenger Locator Forms, negative flow test certificates and all our Italian paperwork and cards. At the airport we received a "Perfecto" from the check-in lady for being so organised. That might sound easy but it was a bit of a challenge as the rules kept changing.

Sunrise in Marina di Ragusa


We stayed in the north west and explored the Lake District. Jon our sailing friend joined us too which was great and lent us his "red pepper" car so we could get out and about; very kind, thank you. It took us up to Scotland to visit Njord's big sister Great Escape and down to Bournemouth and Poole.

Borrowdale, Keswick


Castlerigg, Keswick


On our way to our rental apartment in Bournemouth for November and December we stopped off in London at Nic & Tiff's apartment.

The evening view from their apartment ...


This gave us lots of opportunities to get to know our two adorable grandchildren. The eldest is now three and we last met him in New York aged three months. His younger brother we hadn't met before as he was borne in Manhattan during the Covid pandemic. As this is an "open blog" site we won't be posting photos of them but trust us they are the cutest ever, (do all grandparents say that?).

Bournemouth's beach huts from the famous pier


In November I went on a yoga retreat which was the best yoga experience ever. It was with Sally who as well as a superb yoga teacher is a fellow cruiser with her husband. I follow her via zoom virtual sessions, but this retreat was simply wonderful. We were at Caradoc of Tregardock near Port Issac of Doc Martin fame. Check out her website for future retreats - www.yogisal.co.uk

View from the main house at Caradoc


And finally we arrived back in Marina di Ragusa at sunset on 30 December 2021 just in time for New Year's Eve and to wish the new year in.