37:35.784N 000:58.813W

After a bruising encounter with mother nature we find ourselves having covered about 1000 miles of the lumpiest seas against adverse winds for most of the way, but now we are tucked up snug and secure in Cartagena, Southern Spain waiting for even worse weather to blow over before we can continue.

Justifiably proud of ourselves, Shane, Jon and Rob are off to have a celebratory meal to celebrate our achievement, and so I promise to write more of our tale soon.

In the meantime, I’ll leave you with some photos.

Ali climbs aboard for the first time as a proud new owner.

Shane does manoeuvres at the helm for the first time as we leave Malta behind.

Jon and Rob looking suitably contemplative.

The Shangrila superman! Jon about to do yet another job aboard in a rare moment of calm in the beginning of the trip.

The rising sun seen through the wave splattered windows after yet another uncomfortable night.

A pot of gold at the rainbows end. A rainbow seen through the companionway hatch make false promises of better weather to come.

The welcome sight of Southern Spain as it peeps out from above the waves and below the clouds.

The lads! Enjoying a well deserved beer after a long hard passage.