Boats, Boating, Sailing, Yachts

In Antibes, preparing to set sail for the Island of Elba. Out for warm up sail at 12 noon. Out past islands round to Cannes. Interesting having a wheel instead of tiller. Much easier really. We all tried our hands at the helm. Laurie has least experience, having only dinghy sailed before. Bill took some time to adjust. We decided to motor through gap between islands and Cannes to return as we had a radio call from Geoff asking us to present passports to port police. Good sail after gap. Yacht Cruising Association 'French Connection' Delivery Cruise from Antibes to Sicily in 1986. Eight Moody 34 Yachts. Ours was 'Pagoda', crew of five, John the Skipper, Ian, Gill, Bill and Laurie.

Photo of an illustration in an 'Echo' publication, published by Southern Newspapers Ltd. 45 Above Bar, Southampton SO9 7BA 1980. c1840 by Artist W. Jefferson.

Every Wednesday there is a race at the Noosa Yacht Club on the Noosa River. Known as WAGS (Wednesday Afternoon Gentleman Sailing) , it has now been modified to include Ladies WAGLS.

Noosa Main Beach, Queensland

Noosa Main Beach, Queensland

Antibes to Elba overnight sail. We were able to sail all the way. Averaged 7 knots over 118 miles to Cape Corse. Level with Corsica at 5am on Saturday. Forgot all about it being Good Friday. What a night! Incredible cross sea swell and boat rocking and rolling. Our watches were 6-9pm, 11pm to 2am, then last watch up at 4.30am on Saturday to see dawn over Corsica. It was a roller coaster with boat and sea speed combined to 13 knots. Starboard tack for 160 miles. Three layers of clothing to remove between watches. Beautiful sail at dawn. Fresh wind and calm sea at about 4-5 knots. Could see Elba in the distance. After the night at winds force 6/7 and a heavy swell it was really heaven. 1986 Antibes to Sicily YCA 'French Connection' Delivery Cruise. Eight Moody 34 Yachts. Ours was ‘Pagoda’, crew of five, John the Skipper, Ian, Gill, Bill and Laurie. The other boats were Merlin of Marmaris(Lead Boat), Parachute, Paw Paw, Peso, Plaza, Prize, and Prancer.

In Antibes, preparing to set sail for the Island of Elba. Filled up with diesel in anticipation of motor sailing. Left at 10am. Yacht Cruising Association 'French Connection' Delivery Cruise from Antibes to Sicily in 1986. Eight Moody 34 Yachts. Ours was 'Pagoda', crew of five, John the Skipper, Ian, Gill, Bill and Laurie.

In Antibes, preparing to set sail for the Island of Elba. Yacht Cruising Association 'French Connection' Delivery Cruise from Antibes to Sicily in 1986. Eight Moody 34 Yachts. Ours was 'Pagoda', crew of five, John the Skipper, Ian, Gill, Bill and Laurie.

In Antibes, preparing to set sail for the Island of Elba. Ian, Gill and Laurie. Juan Les Pins Marina. We had travelled by train from Victoria to Dover, then ferry to Calais and overnight train to Antibes. Stowed everything on board. Magnificent aft cabin for us. John in forepeak. Laurie and Bill in saloon. Did some provision shopping in Juan les Pins. Also pricy. Back to boat. Champagne to christen 'Pagoda', our home for three weeks. Yacht Cruising Association 'French Connection' Delivery Cruise from Antibes to Sicily in 1986. Eight Moody 34 Yachts. Ours was 'Pagoda', crew of five, John the Skipper, Ian, Gill, Bill and Laurie.