Montenegro is now the youngest state in the world, being independent since June 2006. With an area of only 13,812 square kilometres we find a great number of contrasts. On this small area there are four different climate types and one of the most beautiful fjords in Europe. And an itinerary along the coast line with a length of just 160 nautical miles is a trip through more than thousend years of history.
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Crossing the bay of Biscay is feared among sailors. We had left Norway in May to have time to cross this scary strech well ahead of any autumn storms. We hoped for nice northerlies all the way from the Scillys to Galicia in Spain, as it was only late July. As the crossing would take days, it didn't matter that we started off at night. The Bishop Rock light blinked us farewell, and a bell bouy chimed nicely as we hoisted our sails.
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At 07:00 Hrs we got in contact with the coastguard to let them know of our navigation plan and departed from the port of Las Palmas ( Gran Canaria) on a compass course of 090º. We were heading for the port of Morro Jable (Fuerteventura) about 60 NM away, it normally takes about ten hours, with all the sails up, but we are in no hurry, as we have got two weeks. Today is the first day of our cruising holiday, and I was kindly invited by my four charming English customers to join them. They are now friends as well, and frequently charter the boat.
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As sailing grounds go, Morecambe Bay is a trap for the unwary. It covers 312 square kilometres, has a tidal range of up to 10.5 metres and an ebbing tide that can retreat up to 12 kilometres.
For us, my brother and I, onboard our graceful Trapper 300 Suntrap, we first need to negotiate the River Wyre where the boat lies on her jetty in a tidal creek. With a reasonable tide, we can clear the creek an hour before high water and be passing Fleetwood into the bay in one and a half hours.
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Liberty in the Azores with Pica volcano as a backdrop
Greetings from Italy, where we are really getting into this Mediterranean cruising! In all honesty, it took us a while. The Atlantic crossing was more than a bit tiring. We'd had enough sailing after 30 days at sea and would have been happy to stay put somewhere for a while, but with family meeting us in Italy, we had no choice but to keep on going. Portugal and Spain were pleasant, but after a while, we got a little tired of one touristy beach resort after another.
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(05-20-2013/New Zealand Herald) - Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton is concerned rivals are using the recent tragedy involving Artemis as an opportunity to push their own agendas for the America's Cup. But it is not Patrizio Bertelli, the outspoken owner of Luna...
(05-19-2013/The Independent) - Competitors in this year's America's Cup may wear a revolutionary body armour and stronger helmets to protect them from the sort of accident that killed British sailor Andrew "Bart" Simpson.
(05-18-2013/The Independent) - A series of demands which would radically alter the upcoming America's Cup have been made by Patrizio Bertelli, boss of the luxury goods house Prada, which is backing the Italian challenger Luna Rossa.