Throwing the towel in for winter?

Tomahawk said:
Should we turn back and stay in the UK?

Presently still in the UK trying to get south, about to cross to Camaret...
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That is something you obviously have considered and as well you should. Having said that we had friends who left Hull in December and joined us in La Rochelle within two weeks of setting off. They did have some bad weather and some glorious sailing weather on the way but generally it is not going to be nice.
We are going around to Gib this morning and over the last week the weather has got worse with something called rain we have not seen for a long time.
Only you can make the decision but sailing is supposed to be enjoyable and as live aboards we don't do bad weather unless we have no choice.
What ever your decision good luck and now you have all the time in the world so don't rush it as there are so many wonderful places and people out there.
 
We want to keep going... The UK offers nothing at the moment so there is little point in going back... apart from our mooring is paid for until March...

We are definately going round the outside.. more places to see and we can take our time... We really don't mind stopping for a week at a time waiting for good weather, as long as it is not too wet...

How was La Rochell last year?
Was it horribly wet and rainy. Or was it warm and dry enough to not worry?
 
Tomahawk said:
We want to keep going... The UK offers nothing at the moment so there is little point in going back... apart from our mooring is paid for until March...

We are definately going round the outside.. more places to see and we can take our time... We really don't mind stopping for a week at a time waiting for good weather, as long as it is not too wet...

How was La Rochell last year?
Was it horribly wet and rainy. Or was it warm and dry enough to not worry?
Click to expand...

Don't look back & don't turn back. Indeed if you have the time, port hop down the French Atlantic coast then along the Spanish coast. We are currently in Coruna and this is our 33rd port of call since leaving Falmouth mid July. It has been BRILLIANT. Those who go straight across the Biscay en-route to the med don't realsie what they are missing.
If you have the right attitude & take the right approach you cannot fail but to enjoy it.

Think you will need to go further S than La Rochell if you wish to avoid the winter blues.
 
Bit of both...

I too had a very rewarding Summer going from Dartmouth to Northern Spain - taking the inside route by choice and enjoying the Biscay ports long the way. Things definately improved weather wise from Ile de Re and La Rochelle (as had been promised by many). Arcachon was like mooring on the M25 there were so many motorboats going in and out although many were of an interesting local design - almost Venetian. Cap Breton was a delight, we were very warmly welcomed and given a 'goody bag' including very acceptable wine. One of the cheapest spots to berth as well. The culture shock of crossing by ferry from Hendaye (French) to Hondarribia (Spanish) was remarkable. At 2200 the French are heading for bed; the Spanish are just about getting started. The Spanish don't seem to be able to sit down to drink; the French can't avoid it.

I had lots of helpful information on this forum for possible wintering places but settled on Gijon. Reasonably priced and very sheltered - we're in the inner-inner harbour. The town stays alive all winter and the boat stays afloat, so we have a winter holiday home too.
 
concentrik said:
I had lots of helpful information on this forum for possible wintering places but settled on Gijon. Reasonably priced and very sheltered - we're in the inner-inner harbour. The town stays alive all winter and the boat stays afloat, so we have a winter holiday home too.
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Gijon (pronounced Hihon I recall) Wonderfull place to visit. My lasting memory of the place is a photo I took of an old chap fishing from the top of a massive rock. Scared the hell out of me just watching him lol.
 
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Tomahawk said:
We want to keep going... The UK offers nothing at the moment so there is little point in going back... apart from our mooring is paid for until March...

We are definately going round the outside.. more places to see and we can take our time... We really don't mind stopping for a week at a time waiting for good weather, as long as it is not too wet...

How was La Rochell last year?
Was it horribly wet and rainy. Or was it warm and dry enough to not worry?
Click to expand...

I have to say e loved la Rochelle as generally the weather was pretty good although it did snow. You have to get in the Basin de Chaulutiers or something where we were as it is far better than Minnimes (I do have the contact for there). Cost us 12 a night including water and power on big berths. Made very god friends there and there is a lotto see and do.

If anyone is interested Michael E Briant does a cheap downloadable e book called "Gentle sailing route to the Mediterranean" which covers most places and gives more details about the towns along the way. Every place is a day sail from the next apart from crossing Biscay. Well worth reading.
 
Back to the original question - I am currently in the Aeolian Islands just north of Sicily and enjoying it here thoroughly! Today's temperature of 28°C down to 20°C at night helps a lot. Good anchorages are to be found with easy day sailing.

I am planning on sailing at least for another three weeks before heading to my winter port of Marina di Ragusa in southern Sicily.
 
Came into Finike, Turkey, two days ago to avoid 10 days of forecast rain and thunder and to get a new sprayhood and bimini made. It was 34 C then - now down to 21 C!

Last year we sailed till 16th November and could have kept going longer.
 
In Syros, Cyclades

We had Fandancer lifted out the water at a boatyard in Syros yesterday, and will spend winter ashore in a rented apartment in Ermoupolis while we continue the renovation work. We love Greece and all things Greek and will stay here all winter until the relaunch in April.
 
We are now in La Linea next to Gib. Don't know yet if we will stay for winter or move on but the weather is terrible at the moment. We had to dig out some fleeces today it was so cold.
 
fandancer said:
We had Fandancer lifted out the water at a boatyard in Syros yesterday, and will spend winter ashore in a rented apartment in Ermoupolis while we continue the renovation work. We love Greece and all things Greek and will stay here all winter until the relaunch in April.
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We're also on Syros at the moment, anchored just off the marina at Ermopouli. We noticed that Fandancer had been lifted out yesterday on our walk in to town to watch the Ochi Day parade. Enjoy your winter here, we're on our way to Crete.
 
Started raining here at 7 this morning,,, it is now 10pm and still raining.. did concider putting a heater on. We are just not used to the cold and rain like you hard nuts in the UK. Next you will be telling me all you pale skins are getting a tan!
 
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