​ We, the "Magnificent 7", rose with ease to the challenge presented to us by the previous crew, who had wedged Brighton Belle unceremoniously into an impossibly tight berth, and slipped elegantly away to the amazement of the Harbour Master who stood watching in a state of stunned admiration, not witnessed since the time of Drake. A week of fine we...

Brest to Plymouth 1- 8 July 2017.  BB final leg back to British waters after 10 months away.  Philip Ford skipper. Crew; Keith and Rory Reynolds, William Hill, Pascal Labourel, Charles Wellingham.  5 of us set out from Southampton airport for the short flight to Brest on a twin turboprop, and were treated to great views of the C...

After sailing some 1200+ NM from the Punta Delgada, Azores. The twin towers at the entrance to La Rochelle's Vieux Port provided a memorable entrance to the harbour. The two large towers were built in the fourteenth century , "La Chaîne" in the West and "Saint Nicholas" in the east.During that period there were chains strung between the towers...

Tuesday 6 June 1200 GMT Left Ponta Delgada 1700 yesterday negotiating strong wind off in a tight space, controlled until clear by midship spring. Yes! Based on wind off expected nice following wind east to Ponta de Madrugada. Ha! Man plans and God laughs! Wind on the nose and only 5kn so engine on with mainsail and mizzen raised. Engine is still on...

What a great week we had – and thank you to Skipper Paul for organising this special trip that gave us a chance to visit three islands and to experience a very special carnival celebration on La Palma. We arrived on Tenerife to take over Brighton Belle from Julie and Pete, who had given her lots of TLC the previous week – beautifully scrubbed deck,...

Tenerife February  2017  Janice Dykes   Sunday Flew out Saturday 13:50 from Gatwick EasyJet. Landed Tenerife 6:30 ish and then wild taxi ride to Marina San Miguel. I was the last to arrive: Stuart,Stewart, Judith, Richard, Charles all settled in. Dinner of fish and spinach- lovely, some wine and then sleep. In the morning  ...