Something of the Turtle

Publisher: Wheatmark, Inc; £11.99
Publication Date: 2009

It can never be easy to sell up your home of many years. This couple decided to do just that take early retirement and set sail This is Sandra Clayton’s second book which amusingly describes the selling of their home and returning to Minorca where they had left their Catamaran, Voyager. She describes the joys of cruising in a warm climate but also some of the trials and tribulations that they encounter while cruising in the Western Mediterranean. This includes the difficulties of anchoring in close quarters; especially in unseasonable weather. She describes a little of the history of the islands that they visit namely the Balearics and Sardinia. After several equipment failures they find it necessary to refit in Gibraltar before attempting an Atlantic crossing. After Gibraltar they head for Madeira on the first leg of their passage to the Caribbean so we can, hopefully, look forward to the next instalment of their log. The book includes simple maps of the places they visited and a glossary of terms for those not familiar with the nautical world. It was an amusing and interesting read especially for anyone planning to cruise in the western Mediterranean. – SL