I do a bit of pre-departure maintenance, and then cast off my lines for Rockall -- an isolated Atlantic rock 250 NM Northwest of Ireland. A few maneuver demos (hove to, docking), the Volvo MDI bypass, a sad bird story, reefing strategy and some musical references to test your cultural depth. :-) 1030 NM sailed from La Rochelle to Rockall. Part 1 of two part series.

I do a quick back and forth across the Bay of Biscay -- once in 'normal' (acceptable) conditions, and 2nd in unexpected Gale conditions. I demonstrate 'scandalising the main' as well as putting in a reef in challenging conditions. I also show/discuss problems with Volvo Penta engine mounts, my Lewmar windlass and a malfunctioning solar panel. Finish with discussion of Code Zero vs Gennaker (large asymmetric spinnaker) and a celebration of 30 Biscay crossings.

Nothing too exciting in this passage: just basic sailing for 550 NM from Ireland to France to close out my "3 Body Problem" adventure. I demo putting a reef in, test a 'sheet to tiller' steerage system, explain crossing a tidal race, discuss entering a port at night, show the range of AIS receivers at sea, and dive to free my entangled propellor. I divert to Camaret Sur Mer due to lack of wind along the way, but all finishes well.

I sail 250 NM to an isolated rock (Sula Sgeir) off the north coast of Scotland, and then turn south for a 350 NM non-stop passage to Dun Laoghaire Ireland (near Dublin). The objective is to see if the tides in the Hebrides / North Channel are too strong to sail against. While I was slowed to 1.8 knots for 3 hours while abeam Islay/Rathlin, the rest was completely doable non-stop. I demo 'shaking out' a reef and give a brief tutorial for beginners on navigation marks in harbours. Nothing too exciting/dramatic, but good fun.

I sail from Iceland's west coast (Isafjordur) to Siglufjordur, Husavik and Raufarhofn on Iceland's rugged North Coast. The challenge of sailing the fjords, with their constantly changing winds is met, and the reward is numerous sightings of whales. (I realize the order of port visits is out of correct order in the video. The video was too long, so I deleted parts, and that impacted the storyline.) Also, sorry I did not get better shots of the whales. My GoPro camera zoom feature is very 'limited'. Next top: Norway

I leave the island port off the SW coast of Iceland and proceed up the West Coast, visiting 6 ports in the majestic Western Fjords. Nothing 'dramatic' happened along this passage (good news), so I took the opportunity to demo in some detail my (imperfect) gybing and tacking procedures. I also show some aspects of using Raymarine's AIS system. (I still have much to learn before this is mastered.) Also, I show the difference between Predict Wind's 50 km GRIB presentation and the free Icelandic Met Service. Not much debate there.....

I take an unusual passage route to sail solo directly to Northern Norway from Iceland. Conditions are tough, but by sailing further North than planned, I was able to turn downwind when winds of 30-35 arrived. I unfurl and furl the 'gennaker', deal with an engine issue, mistake a lighthouse for an aircraft carrier, and finally meet a barman with Châteauneuf-du-Pape in stock.

I provide a tour of my new boat, an RM 890+ named 'Jenna' after my two daughters. I cast off lines for destinations North, and cross some AIS equipped fishing buoys along the way, before reaching my first intermediate destination of Dingle Ireland.

I leave Dingle Ireland for the southern coast of Iceland, a passage of 830 nm. I spend too much explaining my new toy: a top down furler, but then am repaid by near gale conditions for 3 days. Lots of fun. Remember: Alessia in Atlantis by Nathalie Laine :-) She is ignoring all labor rules and putting me on piece-rate commission.

I sail across the North Atlantic from Newfoundland to Ireland in early July 2022. I am very fortunate in my selection of wx window, as the passage is almost like a Trade Wind passage (except the cold and fog). I discuss the issues of "seaworthiness" and the pros and cons of removeable forestays. I ask whether one should motor through a low wind zone, or sit it out. The passage took 13 days.

I have completed major changes I wanted to do prior to my major adventure of 2022 (which is now imminent). Video describes briefly what I did, not how I did it, because my skill level at turning wrenches is embarrassing.

I complete my 8600 NM circuit of the North Atlantic with the final leg between Dingle Ireland and La Rochelle France. The entire circuit (2x Atlantic crossings with 6 short port calls) took exactly 3months. I discuss why this boat, though 20% faster than my Bavaria, should have been 50-70% faster. A vague reference to a new adventure is teased......

I sail a 1000 NM passage in fairly sporty conditions from Bermuda to two small French islands off the southern coast of Newfoundland (St Pierre et Miquelon). I discuss/demo my technique for putting in a reef while headed downwind (and welcome ways to improve). As I approach Newfoundland, an aggressive front arrives at the same time, and rather than argue with mother nature, I hove to (park at sea) for 18 hours.

I head west for what I think will be a 20 day trans-Atlantic passage to Bermuda (on an unusual route, at an unusual time of year - May). Loss of use of the spinnaker coupled with a rapidly descending high pressure zone, adds more than a thousand miles to the adventure.......

In low winds, I turn off the electric autopilot and experiment with 'sheet to tiller' steering; I show tools/spares brought along to ensure a reasonable level of autonomy; I show the wide variation in suggested routings and discuss the basic underpinnings of navigation on sailboats; Sargasso seaweed is a perpetual problem - I demo my technique for clearing the fouling. I did not film the arrival, because I arrived at 0230 on a very dark night. I ask: was this passage an ordeal, or an adventure?

I cast off my lines for the first leg of my 2022 sailing adventure, with no firm destination in mind. Join me as I learn how to handle the challenges of my new, much less comfortable, performance sailboat.

All is forgiven if you skip this one -- boring tech stuff on getting my new boat (now named Alessia ;-) ) ready for a major passage: new NKE autopilot, new electrics, new radio and antenna, new rigging, etc.

Aging disgracefully, I buy a new fast, but terribly uncomfortable racing boat, that I will convert to a cruising sailing boat: a French-made Bongo 870 from 2009. I pitch my daughter's (Nathalie Laine) new book 'Alessia in Atlantis', and I become philosophically confused about name changes to boats.

I sail solo to and from Ireland's famous Fastnet Rock, a distance of about 1000 nm. I experience everything from dead calm to near gale conditions, including a stressful crossing of a shipping channel in a fog bank. This was a 'Bucket List' sail for me.

I sail solo from La Rochelle, France to the Madeira Islands. I fly the spinnaker multiple times enroute --- and experience my share of bloopers with that demanding sail.