Year 2 -15-18 December 2025 –Phuket -Thailand

15-18thDecember 2025

We spent our last 4 days enjoying the hotel and its facilities. We had got to know the staff well in the restaurant near our room and they looked after us very well. We would have breakfast and then we would lie by the pool reading and relaxing. We would have a snack for lunch and then a nice dinner in the evening.

 Jules has been trying to do 30-40 swimming lengths each day and I have been doing at least 10-20. We have been going to the gym every other day and doing a reasonable routine.  

On the 15th we had a massage on the beach which was enjoyable and we then went to the buffet at the Chintara restaurant on the beach in the evening which was nice and different. Our normal restaurant is some way up the island and we look down on the sea below. Chintara is on the beach so you have a different aspect and you can hear and feel the little waves rolling on to the beach.

On the 17th we had a great buffet in our local restaurant and the array of food is impressive. On the 18th we decided to come down to the pier to have a sundowner whilst the sun went down. This was nice and there was a lovely breeze. However, it was quite a cloudy evening so there was little sunset to see but it was something we have not done to date and well worth it.

In short we had a great few days enjoying the resort before we move on.  

I tend to wake up earlier than Jules so I go out on to the balcony and do emails and planning etc. On the morning of the 16th I was on the balcony when two lovely Hornbills came and landed on the balcony. They were large and they looked at me and I looked at them. I am not sure who was more surprised than the other. However, I managed to get a picture before these lovely creatures took off. It is the picture of the last few days. It is apparently lucky to see them and I hope this will prove to be true.

 In terms of Stormbird the works went on. The antifoul men were sanding the hull and preparing everything and polishing the hull. The engineers put two new skin fittings in the hull and replaced the speed log fitting. The new leaking pipe for the generator fitting was replaced. The engine was serviced and the stop solenoid replaced. The navigation seat is to be re-upholstered and a new front hatch cover is to be replaced.

In terms of planning more contact was made with agents and crew. In addition I watched a lot of You tube videos of different yachts who have sailed the routes I am planning to sail and I read quite a few blogs.

 The picture of the day is of course the lovely Hornbills.

Need/Opportunity Year Three

In year three I will be going from Thailand to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and then on to Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK. 

I am looking for crew from Mauritius/ Reunion Island to Cape Town and from Cape Town to the UK. If of any interest do email me.

The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com