Sher & Mike just happened to be sitting on the bow, camera in hand, when a dolphin joined us, providing great excitement as well as pictures and movies. Korcula was our next stop: a beautiful anchorage as well as a small old city, where we walked sporting our new 'The Prize' shirts that Mike & Sue designed and presented to us. Then we anchored in Hvar (lead pic) where the scenery was breath-taking. A short anchor in Brac for lunch was followed by a nice cruise to Split where we docked and explored this ancient city and Mike & Sue departed. On to Primosten, another old city, for a short visit before heading to Murter, our last port of call for the season. We spent almost a week preparing The Prize and watched in amazement as she was lifted and dry docked for the winter. Then home to London on November 1.

After a 40 hour, 2 night, non-stop trip from Sicily, we arrived in Croatia. This is certainly a beautiful country from the sea and the old cities are testament to its history. Fortunately everything was great for boating: scenery, weather, water, anchorages, berths, etc. Friends Mike & Sue joined us in Dubrovnik (lead picture) where the old walled city was significantly restored after the war with Bosnia and Serbia. Then we anchored out several nights and had the most gorgeous times, even skiing in picture-perfect settings on ‘glass’ water by Polace on the island of Mljet. We partied so hardy that we spent extra time there and took many pictures. Then on to enjoy more of Croatia…

The Aeolian Islands are seven volcanoes, two still active, off the north coast of Sicily. We anchored beside the active Stromboli but didn’t see any lava, in spite of getting up early to see the glow, but the sunrise was magical. Sicily (at least the east coast that we saw) was surprising in three ways: the coast is very populated, most buildings need repair, and it has lots of ancient history. Our first stop, Riposto, is near Mount Etna, another active volcano that we wanted to visit. However, Etna stayed in the clouds and Riposto was soon left behind since it was probably the most run-down and depressing place we have seen. Siracusa (Syracuse), on the other hand, was great, with its rich history and architecture from many eras, although it says it has been declining in power and influence since 212 BC. We made a side trip to Noto, one of the most delightful towns in Sicily (per Siracusa lit), which was totally destroyed by the 1693 earthquake, and rebuilt in baroque style.

The Amalfi Coast scenery certainly meets all expectations. The weather wasn’t the best for us, as the pictures tell, but our stay in Amalfi allowed the weather to pass and our visit was spectacular. The bus ride to Positano (lead picture) was entertainment in itself. It provided a different viewing perspective of the coast as well as a unique riding experience with all types of vehicles competing to use the narrow coastal road, sometimes having to back up in blind spots to allow each other to pass. We left the Amalfi Coast and cruised south to Scario, a pretty little village that wanted too much for a berth, so we went around the bend to a beautiful anchor spot. Then off to the Aeolian Islands.

The west central coast of Italy is not as dramatic as the Riviera but the islands are pretty. Sister Lynn and Don left us in Rosignano where there was a nice, new-ish marina but a non-descript town. We rested and re-stocked before heading to the Isle of Elba, made famous by Napoleon’s exile. Then south to Isle of Ischia for a magical anchor spot. We had our best dolphin sighting yet (25-30) as we approached Capri. Capri is a gorgeous island where our memories of prior stays made us cruise slowly by, including through the ‘needles’ (lead picture), something Lee has dreamed of doing for years. If not for predicted wind we would have stayed there, but on to the Amalfi Coast we went.

Cinque Terre is ‘five lands’, actually five small villages built on the steep coastline. It and Portovenere (lead picture) must be the most picturesque inhabited area on earth. We slowly cruised along Cinque Terre, passing Portovenere, to anchor in Le Grazie. Then we went back around the bend to Portovenere and anchored because the harbormaster took too long to allow us to berth. A great result in the end since we had a beautiful view from the boat. We walked the streets of Portovenere and partied on The Prize. Ian and Steph then left us for Rome and we left the beautiful Italian Riviera.

Portofino (lead picture) was our first port of call after Genoa, and a wonderful place it was, except that a boat hit us as it was docking alongside. No great damage, but a damper that added to woes of passenger seasickness. Regardless, Portofino is a gorgeous place, although a bit touristy. Anchoring around the bend at Santa Margherita was another treat where some of us toured the town and others water skied until the Coast Guard nicely told us it was not permitted in the harbor. We celebrated Steph’s birthday and took tender rides to explore the fascinating coastline before moving on to explore more eye candy of a coast.

After trying unsuccessfully several ways and days to get a berth in Monaco, we nipped into the harbor and took a few pictures. Even while admiring the scenes we were still trying. However, they were gearing up for their boat show so we had to move on.

The northwest section of the Italian Riviera is pretty but not quite as beautiful as the east side. San Remo, just over the French border and our first stop, had an amazing old town with an incredible labyrinth of tiny streets like we had never seen with a church and wedding at the top; quite a treat. We stayed several days due to wind, had a pc crash (and got a non-English-speaking Italian to help recover most of our data), and re-grouped. It was a beautiful ride to Genoa and we photographed more Dolphins enroute. We enjoyed several walks around Genoa, including visits to Columbus’ birthplace. Niece Stephanie and boyfriend Ian joined us followed by sister Lynn and husband Don. We partied hardy and headed south for more Italian Riviera.

We had hoped to berth or anchor in the well known places of this beautiful coast. However, all berths were booked due to boat shows and wind wasn’t cooperative for lots of anchoring. St Tropez was a nice exception (lead picture of us going into St Tropez on the tender) and the neighboring town of Port Grimaud. Dolphins joined us again for a ride under the bow and this time we got pictures and movies of them jumping and swimming. As we passed Cannes we decided to nip in to anchor for lunch and ended up staying two nights, enjoying the Cannes Boat Show as well as the many large yachts anchored around us. Bob & Ann had to leave and we moved on, passing Nice and other places we would like to have visited.

A 17 hour overnight trip took us from Menorca to Marseille. We arrived at sunrise and got a wonderful berth in front of Hotel de Ville (city hall) with Notre Dame de la Garde (lead picture) overlooking from the opposite side of the harbor. Our planned four night stay became seven due to wind, but there was plenty to do. Friend Gerard took us touring around Marseille and along the coast. Friends Ann & Bob joined us and we celebrated their 25th anniversary with Captain Lee performing the ceremony. Sher also celebrated her 58th and Marseille celebrated something with a boat parade in the harbor. With extra time we again toured Marseille and took a day trip to Aix. Then, finally off to the Cote d’Azur and Riviera.

Menorca could not have been more different from Mallorca and Ibiza; it is primarily flat and has many, many caves. The coast looks like the Grand Canyon filled almost to the top. We first stopped in Ciutadella for fuel. It looked like a nice little city, but we needed to move on, so we went to the north of the island and anchored in the bay at Fornells where we swam and enjoyed the sunset and sunrise. The lead picture was Lee’s idea...taken as we headed north from Menorca for a 17 hour, overnight trip to Marseille, France.

Mallorca is the largest of the Balearics and is a stunningly beautiful island with many cliffs dropping into the sea. Our first stop was the capital, Palma, which offers wonderful sites and great shopping. Tab left us here for fashion studies in New York and London. After Palma we slowly cruised up the coast, which has to be one of the most beautiful in the world. We anchored, swam, explored, and cruised more. Lois and Sara left us in Soller, a nice place we would have happily stayed if the anchor spots had not been calling. The lead picture is of our first anchor location, which we called ‘holey rock’ for obvious reasons. The picture was taken from the tender while Lee, Sher, Lois, and Sara were exploring the area.

Ibiza is the 3rd largest island of the Balearics. Friend Lois and daughter Sara joined us for some time of chilling out. The lead picture is of Tabitha, Sher, Lois, and Sara on the bow watching for dolphins which like to swim under the bow in pairs or trios. Eivissa, the capital of Ibiza, was fun for shopping and exploring. However, anchoring in beautiful coves was fabulous. We swam, read, and explored in the tender.

Spain's Costa Blanca has some beautiful sites. Our first stop was Cartagena, headquarters of the Spanish Navy and an ancient city with Roman ruins, castle, and bullring, as well as home to the submarine inventor. Swimming was wonderful; nephew Don and wife Jeanne spent a few hours on 'their' private beach before heading back to work in DC. Friends Bob & Yvonne met us in Torrevieja, a lively city near their home. They showed us the area, including a cheap outdoor market, their lovely home, and took us grocery shopping (a huge help from someone with a car). Our next stop was Calpe, which coincided with the Henkes' family time at their nearby vacation home. The grandchildren, Jake & Kea (lead pic w/Lee at helm), loved the boat. We went to Evert & Penny's beautiful home for a wonderful evening with all, including daughter Isabella. Tabitha also rejoined us in Calpe for more fun in the sun.

Finally in the Med - beautiful weather. Sotogrande was a maintenance stop only 10 miles east of Gibraltar. Sam went home for a funeral and Tab left to get ready for school. We drove across the mountain and met nephew Don & Jeanne in Ronda for a short visit before heading back to the boat. NL friends Hilde & Rob came for a visit bringing sister Susanne, Eulogio & Bruno. After boat maintenance visit we left and had a beautiful boat ride to a delightful little place in La Herradura. We stayed only one night because we wanted to get on to Cartagena. Mostly beautiful rides, although the last few hours were quite rough.

Gibraltar was a nice rest and retreat back to a little British world where we stocked up and communicated with ease. A Harley Davidson meeting took up the square and the apes still rule the top of the Rock. Our first berth neighbor was a Californian with a 92' boat, so we were feeling a little small. Then he had to move to make room for a 180' yacht that made us both look tiny.

The lead photo is a replica of the Santa Maria, the largest of Columbus' fleet, sitting in the marina at Port of Sherry near Cadiz. We took a ferry to Cadiz and had dinner on the square where we visited with nephew Donnie 11 years ago. The next morning we left for Gilbraltar.

Vilamoura is the lead photo. It shows that we are nearing the Med where The Prize no longer stands out. However, we have great memories of Portugal, especially the wonderful sea trips that were sunny and calm and the dolphins were plentiful. We even captured them jumping on video. Cascais was our first port, and a great place it was. Old and quaint with a new flavor. Vilamoura is more of a seaside resort, although it does have impressive Roman ruins.

The lead photo was taken from the castle in Baiona where a replica of The Pinta (of Columbus fame) is berthed. See The Prize at The Pinta's mast. Before Baiona we stopped in La Caruna, a nice town with small quaint streets as well as ugly commercial area. Then on to the Isle of Cies for our first ocean swim and anchoring out...we all did a night watch. From there a short trip to Baiona proved scary as the fog and lightening rolled in and our fog horn stopped working. We were happy to berth in sunny Baiona.

Getxo/Bilbao has the world's first bridge transporter and, of course, famous Guggenheim Museum. Santander was pretty from the water but that was it and we berthed way out of town. Gijon was a delight with its annual fair an added treat.

La Rochelle is a bustling old town where we berthed beside Maury and Irene, an Australian couple delivering a catamaran from there to Australia. Sam's girlfriend, Tabitha, joined us here and we took off for a day in Bordeaux country.

It was a very long and rough ride back to France. The first port of call was Camaret, a small but picturesque village and a good place to enjoy lobster with Audrey and Spencer before they left. Then on to Benodet, another picturesque small village where the lead photo was taken at sunrise as we left for the Biscay Coast.

Guernsey is one of the Channel Islands off the northwest coast of France. It is British, so we were back to speaking English, a nice retreat. The tide range is over 30 feet and the rocks can be treacherous. We spent several days here, getting the boat worked on and exploring the island, including the castle, from where the lead photo was taken. Becky and Al left from here and Audrey and Spencer arrived.