We will be heading into a colder climate, so this means making some big purchases and implementing some structural changes aboard Esper. The additional work and new gear is going to cost thousands of dollars, so you are probably wondering how we are going to afford to do all this…
How to prepare your boat for an ocean passage Read Post »
Liz discovers a delightfully laid back and remote island in the far north of the Andaman sea that remains untouched and home to a small band of intrepid expats.
Koh Chang – How To Find Your Own Island Paradise In Thailand Read Post »
The first in a series of articles on Esper’s complete refit in Thailand, originally written for Sailing Today magazine.
Sailboat Refit – Introduction Read Post »
Koh Phayam has long been a favourite with intrepid yachties. As we secured our anchorage at the Sun Resort on Buffalo Bay, we quickly discovered why.
The Perfect Thai Island Few Have Heard Of – Koh Phayam Read Post »
It sometimes feels like there are few islands left in Thailand that haven’t been turned into tourist hotspots. Koh Phayam is still one of them, but development is fast bringing it into line with its more famous rivals. There are still no cars, no post and no hotel blocks. Hot water is a luxury and air conditioning is available in only one bungalow resort.
Searching for Thailand’s hidden islands Read Post »
Long term sailor Liz Cleere remembers her best Christmases at sea and reveals how to enjoy the festive season away from home in style
A sailor’s guide to celebrating Christmas at sea Read Post »
Around-the-world sailors Liz Cleere and Jamie Furlong are noticing dangerous changes in weather patterns on their travels, which is affecting their plans and causing concern
How climate change is affecting long-term travellers Read Post »
With visitors to Thailand being asked to show more respect while the nation mourns the passing of their King, Liz Cleere ponders on how to travel with sensitivity and understanding.
Are you a disrespectful traveller? Read Post »
As Jamie and Liz sail into areas that were devastated by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, they consider their options should the unthinkable happen again.
How to survive a tsunami at sea in Southeast Asia Read Post »
There were still a few more days before our Thai visas expired, so we took a slow sail south from Phang Nga bay. Ao Chalong sits on the south-eastern corner of Phuket and is the place where sailors and boats go to check in and out of Thailand.
The benefits of sailing into stormy waters Read Post »
Apart from the deep joy of discovering that our engine has seized, it feels like some kind of nautical episode of ‘Back to the Future’ here on SY Esper
Our regular Sailing Log Diary on YouTube–which out of necessity runs a few months behind real time–shows Jamie sailing alone in Thailand with Liz back in the UK looking after her ailing mum. And yet, right now, Liz has just returned from her >second visit home to tend to Dottie while Jamie has been solo-sailing in Thailand.
In the words of Shirley Bassey and the Propellerheads , “…it’s all just a little bit of history repeating…”
Engine seized! Sailing in paradise… Read Post »
Jamie didn’t like the darkening skies, so he took a look at the forecast to discover some big weather coming in from the west. Fishing vessels, large and small, arrived from deeper water, dropping noisy anchor chain and crowding into the anchorage behind Ko Tarutao’s high hills. He told the others to prepare themselves for some potential big winds.
Crash repairs, gales, fuel leaks… and some fishing Read Post »
Sadly, for reasons beyond our control we are both on opposite sides of the globe this year, and can’t enjoy our usual special day. So we thought it would be nice to extend the seasonal tradition of exchanging gifts to include every one of our followtheboat subscribers across the world.
To celebrate 2015, we are giving away Esper T shirts! Read Post »
We made our run down the east side of imposing Tarutao, one of Thailand’s largest islands and the country’s first national marine park. Once a penal colony, it was the perfect place to cast away undesirables. With its unforgiving tropical rainforest, strong tidal currents and fierce salt-water crocodiles escape would have been impossible.
Groundhog Day: Back to PSS Ship yard for repairs Read Post »
We arrived back at beautiful Ko Rok, the same point where we had broken the passage on our way north from Langkawi. It was as serene and scenic as we remembered and this time we were able to quickly find our old mooring buoy and get settled for the night. Within minutes Liz had the fishing line over the side…
Big Fish Little Fish–fishing in Thailand Read Post »
