A&R Lener

We'd arrived in Pwllheli after the nightsail, and with the lift booked for Tuesday there was a week to explore. The heatwave was still holding on, so the bikes became our main form of transport. The Llyn Peninsula by bike First stop was Porthdinllaen. Rob had been here before last year and really loved the place - Andrea had only seen it from the sea when we anchored nearby. So out with the bikes and we made a full day trip out of it. All around the headland, across the golf course and up to the watch tower. A lively chat with the watch officers, with very interesting facts about the area and the fact that most of this is volunteer driven.

Six weeks we'd been at it. Sanding, epoxy, engine work, life admin. And on the morning of the 24th of May, Lagertha finally slipped through the bridge and out of Peel harbour into the sunshine. The harbour master was relieved to get more space for all the TT visitors - and we promised not to come back if our shakedown went well. Falk and Valentin had come along for the trip. Enough wind for a few proper tacks, sunshine on the water, and for the first time in weeks it felt like we were actually doing what we came here to do. Halfway down the coast, Skyfall appeared. Ben and Steve were competing in the Around the Island Race from Ramsey, beating hard towards the Calf of Man on exactly the same stretch of coastline. Full sail up, blue water, sunshine - and there they were, close enough to shout across the water. You don't plan moments like that. A towel on the mooring Our boat neighbours at our home berth in Peel are Jason and Debbie on Eauvation II - they'd sailed over to Port Erin the day before. Port Erin bay has three moorings - first come, first served - and when we cast off we'd joked with both boats that they should place a towel on the buoy to reserve it. Just like German holidaymakers do. And when we arrived in the bustling bay at Port Erin, there was a vacant buoy right beside Eauvation II. We went for it, and as we approached Jason yelled over: "I think this one's taken - there's a towel on it!" And there was. A towel on the buoy, just for us. Over all the laughter we completely forgot to take a photo of it - what a shame. But it'll stay in our heads forever, that's for sure. Sundowners We picked up Helena with the dinghy for drinks and nibbles on board, then ferried the boys and Helena back ashore. A sunset that painted Bradda Head in burnt orange. Shakedown cruise successfully completed - we were relieved. The call That evening we looked at the weather and the tides and made a decision. Tomorrow evening we'd take on the passage across the Irish Sea to North Wales. The forecast wind was gentle, the sea smooth - more of a motor sail, hopefully, under a sky full of stars. Just perfect conditions to settle into cruising. A last morning on the Isle of Man The next morning we met Franky - Andrea's dad - and Beth for coffees and a last farewell. Port Erin beach was bustling - eight boats anchored in the bay, paddleboarders and kayakers, beach volleyball. Bank holiday weekend and half term combined, and everybody was out enjoying the hot spell. Over lunch at Foraging Vintners we mentally walked through our next sail and all the things that come next. A quick provisioning trip to keep us happy and fed, and then we enjoyed the hot afternoon in T-shirts and shorts. That's so unusual for us on the Isle of Man, where it's normally too cold and breezy to even think about it. We even fooled around with the dinghy and scrubbed the waterline with a long-handled brush - it was simply too hot to sit in the cockpit. And then it was time. Dropping the mooring lines, waving goodbye to Falk and Valentin on the dock, and to Debbie and Jason on Eauvation II. The Isle of Man was shrinking behind us. We'd been working towards this moment for six weeks, and now it was here.

Nice short hol from Arklow to Dún Laoghaire

Champagne sailing from Isles of Scilly to Arklow Ireland

a short hop from Hugh Town to New Grimsby, beautiful weather!

Sailed from St Michael’s Mount back to Isles of Scilly to Hugh Town - what a day! Dolphins joined us on the bow 🐬, then a stroll on St Mary’s, ice‑cream 🍦, sunset 🌅, a few pints 🍺 and great company. Classic summer vibes. We even caught the famous Women’s Gig Race from St Agnes to Hugh Town. Life on Lagertha as a sailing couple is pure adventure.😊

We just escaped from the Isles of Scilly to Penzance because a gale was forecast - no wind at all, so we had to motor the whole passage with no sails up. Hope we can head back soon, but for now we’re just cruising the coast. Some holiday in Cornwall then. 😊

We just finished a 36‑hour cruise from Arklow to St Martin Isle of Scilly. Fog hugged us at the start but cleared up soon, and we kept the sea calm for our first overnight sail aboard Lagertha. With little wind we motor‑sailed most of the way to hit our 5 kt target – still a great adventure. Happy to be on such a beautiful spot now 😊

Another day, another beautiful stretch of Irish coastline! We had a lovely, easy sail today – a short hop from Dún Laoghaire down to Arklow. Sometimes the best sails aren’t about battling the elements. Just a gentle breeze and a chance to soak up the views from aboard Lagertha. 😊 We’re really enjoying exploring the Irish coast – it’s absolutely stunning!