The ancient Venetian port of Korcula calls itself the birthplace of Marco Polo, although Venice would strongly disagree. With more justification however, Korcula can claim to be the first place in the world to ban…

We’re in Trogir, near Split. Maxine leaves tomorrow for 2 weeks’ family duty in Moscow. An unavoidable nuisance (the departure, not the woman). It has been a pleasure to have her back on board although…

For 15 years Chris has extolled to me the virtues of solitude. I am learning slowly, but still I dislike the company it provides. Blinged up in her Russian attire Maxine has flown home to…

The shouting and the tumult have died in the marina. The captains and charter kings have departed and it has been quiet, apart from the clamour of Sunday morning church bells ringing across the water…

…at least, I hope so. In any case Mendelssohn is just perfect for this morning. In Croatia, travelling north you have to set off early to get up some miles before the northerlies kick in.…

This one’s mainly about coolant, for the blokes. Anchored last night in flat water at the southern end of a lozenge-shaped island called Losenj, I checked the coolant. To my astonishment I found there had…

As the lights come on around Pula Coliseum I have reluctantly to admit that electricity is here to stay. Even in boats. After 40 years of celestial navigation my two sextants haven’t been out of…

I’m so used to long hauls between marine supply outlets that I buy in bulk when I can. The local chandler here almost fell over when I asked for 16 oil and fuel filters but it…