“Probably the worst weather we’ve had all year”: finding space under big skies in the Orkney Islands, Scotland

A couple of years ago, I was taken with a book called The Outrun by Amy Liptrot. The author, whose parents are English but who had grown up on the Orkney Islands, returned to her hometown after a tumultuous decade in London that had culminated in alcoholism. Her beautiful book charts her recovery, and her … Continue reading “Probably the worst weather we’ve had all year”: finding space under big skies in the Orkney Islands, Scotland

Tall ship sailing: Liberty Regatta 2019, Rouen to Scheveningen via the English Channel

The other trainees and me going off to the crew parade at Scheveningen! Read part I of my tall ships story here I am back, and this time, the ship was docked in Rouen, Normandy, for the Liberty Tall Ships Festival. It normally takes place every four years, but due to riverbank restorations it’s actually … Continue reading Tall ship sailing: Liberty Regatta 2019, Rouen to Scheveningen via the English Channel

Learning to sail with tall ship Atyla in Brittany, France

I am on my way to Vannes, in southern Brittany, western France. It is one of my favourite regions in France since visiting 18 months ago on a wintry voyage. Now it is springtime, the pollen is wreaking havoc on my nose and eyes, and the daylight only seeps away at 22:30. Thanks to a wonderful scheme … Continue reading Learning to sail with tall ship Atyla in Brittany, France