Left Barcelona the 31st of March after long hassle with startmotor that Ali Perret and Ahmet fixed. Skipped Palamos as the Pilot there proved to be “unhelpful” and stopped in Roses, where we met Kiko Despuig, great guy and wooden boat specialist. Tove left yesterday, Marta (not marti** :) which I would have preferred) also came along from Barca to Roses and would have come along to Menorca but we had to change route due to weather, no Menorca :(

Have to leave Roses before 15.00 today, but waiting for wood so we have a spare main gaff I can land on, the old one that Ilhan had made from old telephone posts being so rotten. Heading into stormy weather towards Corsica, got to get there before Sunday noon and full storm. C U in Corsica, I hope....

Simit

* Note of the translator: A Pilot is a mariner who guides ships through dangerous waters.

** Note of the translator: In Turkish, marti means "seagull".

Alan Palmer will be the captain of Hulda for the 1st part of the Barcelona - Naples' trip...

... after what Ali Perret, boat captain and jazz pianist (nice mix, huh?), will take over.

Swedish sailor Maja Hallen, who was part of the crew between Stockholm and Amsterdam, makes her coming back.

Carolina de la Fé,  from Sweden, joins the crew for the first time.