Madisons new home

2008 is not getting off to a good start. However the day I picked was a good one and the lift went well. We worked hard in a short space of time and everything was left looking right.

A beer was in order as we strolled back to the Marina and the bed aboard a friends boat in the Marina at Santa Pola. Another neighbouring yacht had invited us for dinner that night so all we had to worry about was arriving in time. All in all the day went as planned.

Then after dinner I openned up my laptop to check email and received one from my good friend James. He had heard about my mums problems and sent us a lovely email. James then went on to tell us that his year hadn't got off to the start he wanted. James had left Portimau in his 1929 classic 29ft boat to cross to the caribbean and 3 days out he was hit by a force 10 with 30ft breaking waves. His boat Mina was rolled and the coachroof caved in. James managed to get most of the water out when she came back up, but in the conditions it just kept filling up again.

James did the right thing and set off his epirb and was recued 12 hours later.

James is an inspiration to me and despite what has happened to him, I am sure that he will not be put off from doing this trip again if he can find a boat as beautiful as Mina.

Take it easy James.